What's in Season
BIRDS
As summer wears on and the ground hardens, it becomes more difficult for birds to forage for food. So do please put out food to supplement their diet and help build reserves for winter. Birds need fresh water for bathing and drinking, especially during hot and dry spells, so keep supplies plentiful and regularly changed. Throw out mouldy food on bird tables and remember that birds cannot digest milk – it can kill them.
PESTS
Pests love warm weather, so be on your guard! Caterpillar and aphid infestations can be dealt with by hand if caught early enough, but should the situation career out of control you will have to resort to insecticides or grin and bear it! Greenfly and blackfly especially love the heat and don’t forget aphids and other sap-sucking insects can transmit viruses so don’t give in to the sympathy vote. Try and attract beneficial insects by growing a wide variety of plants – ladybirds and their larvae are consummate aphid predators, as are lacewings and even wasps.