Search - Articles

what it was, so I'd look to the sky for answers, hoping I'd see a cuckoo swoop down and spit on the plants. It was only a few years ago that I learned about the froghopper nymph, which protects itself from predators and dehydration in a coating of froth

at the bottom of lakes, ponds and streams. I'd always imagined them as patient sit-and-wait pouncing predators. They have a bizarre hinged jaw mechanism, with the claw-like biting mouthparts perched on the end of an extending articulated proboscis, like an extra

-friendly garden should have a tree for them to perch in, and lots of dense shrubbery and climbers where they can hide from predators.Looking at the bare bones of my garden I can see why the birds aren't coming. There are lots of climbers, which, once they have

-east London, 25 years ago, and discovered so many urban foxes here, I often wondered whether they posed a threat to our cats. It did not take me long to work out that foxes, like most predators, are cowards, and despite the obvious size difference, they would

, is that the longer the maggot waits before turning into a beetle, the more likely it is to be disturbed by someone removing the timber, or to fall victim to predator, parasite or disease. The adult beetle may appear bold and imposing, but the larva, even a big one

hoverfly). Both of these are supposed to resemble the common wasp to deter predators, and are completely harmless. They lay their eggs on plants and their larvae eat aphids.Having abandoned hopes of growing the world's tallest sunflower, I'm now content

something of a mollusc free-for-all at night. Then just pick them off the piles in the morning.You could grow a sacrificial offering, perhaps a tasty lettuce or two, in your borders, and ensure you regularly pick off the culprits.Encourage natural predators

creatures are likely to use your pond:Frogs need ponds to breed and tadpoles will feed on the algae in the water. Create an area of plants where frogs can shelter, to provide valuable shade and cover from predators.FrogsBirds will visit ponds to drink

, the birds have been gathering grass, moss and dead leaves for the last fortnight, sneaking them through a gap above the shed door and constructing their nest within. The gap is too small for any marauding predators, and Chris, my mother-in-law, has vowed

in a tree or building away from predators, strong sunlight and wind. A north-east facing spot is best.1.5m x 15cm x 1.25cm piece of untreated, sawn timber20cm x 2.5cm nails, 3cm x 2.5cm self-tapping screwsDrill and 25mm, 28mm or 32mm wood drill bit (see