As Australians, we are lucky to have some of the world’s most diverse wildlife, with over 90 per cent of our plant species, 89 per cent of our marsupials, 87 per cent of our mammals, and 45 per cent of birds found nowhere else in the world.
Backyard Buddies, an environmental education initiative by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife (FNPW) has provided some tips for attracting these native flora and fauna to your own backyard, which is not only great for you, but great for environmental conservation too!
Backyard Buddies advise that bees like a natural environment, so you don’t need to be handy at woodwork to make them a home. If you have tree stumps or logs, drilling holes in them is all you need to do.
No logs? Any offcuts of timber will do, but make sure they have not been chemically treated. Drill the holes so the entrance faces sideways, not straight up.
Small nests on the ground can also be easily constructed with twigs, bark and wire to hold them together. Locate them out of the way so they are not destroyed by birds or people or your dog trampling all over them. Lengths of bamboo are an excellent choice, as the entrance is just the right size for bees. Seal one end so they feel safe enough to lay eggs. Around 15 to 20cm long is perfect.
Cement breeze blocks and bricks with holes in them are very simple hotels as long as one side is sealed – use a natural material like clay, mud or even mulch or dead leaves. Do not use superglue.
Make sure you consider safety when deciding where to put your hive – somewhere out of the way is ideal.
Plant local natives including grasses, nectar-giving flowering plants, and citrus. This will give butterflies somewhere to feed and lay their eggs. Make sure to cultivate a variety of heights of plants so butterflies are protected from strong winds.
If you want to see butterflies, you’ll need to see caterpillars, too, so avoid using chemicals or pesticides in your backyard.
For their comfort, include rocks in your garden so butterflies have somewhere to sit and sun themselves. Also be sure to place a shallow dish of muddy water in a sunny spot so butterflies can have a drink.