10 Ways to Help Insects During the Winter Months
9/22/24
As the seasons transition and the winter chill arrives, did you know that many insects overwinter in our yards and gardens? Some common insects that stay for our Minnesota winters include ladybugs, bees, wasps, mosquitoes, and some species of butterflies, moths and dragonflies. These insects slow down their metabolic processes and reduce activity to withstand the cold temperatures and limited food sources during the winter months.
Insects use various strategies to survive the winter through a state of dormancy known as hibernation. Some insects, such as ladybugs, cluster together in large groups for warmth and protection. Others, like butterflies and mosquitoes, enter a state of diapause, slowing down their metabolic processes and sheltering in protected locations. Some insects burrow into the ground, while others find refuge in tree bark or leaf litter. Many dragonflies stay beneath the ice in nymph form, and some insects, like pale beauty moths, produce antifreeze compounds to prevent ice crystal formation inside their bodies. These diverse hibernation tactics enable insects to survive harsh winter conditions and emerge in the spring ready to resume their activities.
Supporting hibernating insects is an important part of maintaining a healthy and thriving ecosystem. By taking steps to support these insects during their dormant period, you can help ensure their survival and contribute to the overall biodiversity of our environment. Here are several ways you can prepare your garden to help hibernating insects survive our Minnesota winters!
Reduce fall garden cleanup. Forgo some of your fall garden cleanup to allow leaf litter, ornamental grasses, twigs, seed heads and spent perennials to remain standing in your garden. These garden remnants serve as a shelter for pollinators and insects over the winter. The Monarch Joint Venture recommends cleaning your garden in the spring after temperatures are in the 50 degree range for at least seven consecutive days. By then, most insects living in the habitat will have emerged from their hibernating state.
Leave some leaves. Raking, mulching and blowing leaves can destroy insects and their habitats. Leave a thin layer of leaves on lawn areas. This layer of leaves provides nutrients and insulation for many adult butterflies and moths, and also protects their eggs, caterpillars and chrysalises. Spreading fallen leaves two-to-three inches high on garden beds also helps.
Save dead stems. Keep dead plant stems standing in your gardens. Bees and other cavity-nesting insects will insert their eggs into the pithy or hollow stems. At the end of the growing season, cut the stems back to between 6-18” tall. Use sharp tools to ensure a clean cut. By cutting back the stems, you create homes for next year’s bees and insects. During spring cleanup, remember to leave the cut stems in place because they may be housing insect larvae, pupae, or overwintering adults. The stems will naturally decompose and add organic matter to the soil.
Build a brush pile. Make a pile of twigs, logs, stumps, bark, or old wood that is at least six inches off the ground and has plenty of air space. This provides shelter for insects, butterflies and moths seeking a safe place to hibernate.
Construct a rock pile. Build a rock pile or rock wall for insects to live or shelter in the crevices.
Leave some soil uncovered. In a sunny spot, leave some bare, mulch-free soil exposed to host ground-nesting pollinators such as bumblebees.
Create a diverse native habitat. Incorporate native plants into your garden to provide food and shelter for insects throughout the year. Native flowers, shrubs and trees support overwintering insects by offering natural food sources and protection. Include a variety of plant structures, such as dense shrubbery, wildflowers and flowering trees to provide hiding spots and food sources for hibernating insects.
Select early and late-blooming plants. Grow some plants that bloom early and others that keep their flowers late in the season to provide food for pollinators when other sources are scarce. Grow plants in clusters so pollinators can easily find them and conserve energy when gathering food.
Avoid pesticides. Limit the use of pesticides in your garden to help protect hibernating insects from harm. Pesticides can disrupt the natural behaviors of insects and negatively impact overwintering populations.
Educate and raise awareness. Share knowledge about the importance of hibernating insects and advocate for their protection. This can help foster a community dedicated to supporting these vital members of our ecosystem.
By implementing these practices, you play a role in creating hospitable winter habitats for hibernating insects that will allow them to rest and prepare for the spring season.
Additional Resources
Nesting & Overwintering Habitat for Pollinators & Other Beneficial Insects Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
How to Support Our Pollinators, Insects and Birds During the Winter Months PennState Extension
Where Do Insects Go in the Winter? Smithsonian
Writer Biography
Elizabeth Lorentz gardens at Mears Park in downtown Saint Paul. She loves cooking
and growing native perennial plants and herbs. She is a Master Gardener with the
Ramsey County Master Garden Volunteer Program.