How to help bugs in Southwark
Bugs in Southwark need YOU.
Did you know Southwark is one of the London's hot spots for sightings of the rare Stag Beetle. Beetles, flies and other insects keep the world turning and these tiny, creatures don’t always get their due!
They play a crucial role pollinating, breaking down plants and providing food for other animals. Yet insect numbers are declining due to habitat loss and overly tidy urban spaces. When you make space for bugs, you support the entire food chain.
If you have a garden
BUILD: Create a stag beetle log pile
Stag beetles lay their eggs in decaying wood. Their larvae live underground for several years feeding on rotting timber. Partially bury logs upright in a sunny corner to create a long-term habitat.
👉 How to Guide: How to help London's Stag Beetles
PLANT: Grow insect-friendly flowers
Hoverflies, beetles and other pollinators rely on open flowers for nectar and pollen. Start with:
☘️ Red clover
🌼 Bird’s-foot trefoil
🌸 Oxeye daisy
🌱 Bladder campion
Choose wildlife-labelled mixes.
👉 How to Guide: Wildlife Trusts insect-friendly gardening guide
SUPPORT: Leave leaf litter and natural “mess”
Many insects overwinter in leaf litter, stems and undisturbed soil. Resist clearing everything away in autumn. Nature needs shelter.
If you have a balcony
BUILD: Create a small bug hotel
Ladybirds, lacewings and solitary bees need safe resting spaces. Use drilled wood blocks, bamboo stems or stacked natural materials in a sheltered spot.
👉 How to Guide: Build a Lady Bird Hotel or Hoverfly Lagoon
PLANT: Grow nectar-rich plants in pots
Balconies can act as stepping stones for insects moving through the borough. Cluster pots together for greater impact. Try planting:
☘️ Hebe
🪻Lavender
🪴Marjoram
🌻Dwarf sunflowers
👉 How to Guide: Wildlife Trust's planting inspiration
SUPPORT: Avoid chemical treatments
Pesticides and treated compost reduce insect survival. Choose peat-free, wildlife-friendly products where possible. Healthy insects mean healthier ecosystems.
If you have a windowsill
BUILD: Create a small bug hotel
Ladybirds, lacewings and solitary bees need safe resting spaces. Use drilled wood blocks, bamboo stems or stacked natural materials in a sheltered spot.
👉 How to Guide: How to make a bug hotel
PLANT: Create a mini herb garden window box
Flowering herbs provide long-lasting nectar for hoverflies and beetles - as well as herbs you can use in your kitchen! Try planting a mix of:
🪴 Rosemary
🌿 Thyme
☘️ Sweet marjoram
🌱 Chives
🍵 Mint
👉 Tip: RHS guide to growing herbs
SUPPORT: Leave leaf litter and natural “mess”
Many insects overwinter in leaf litter, stems and undisturbed soil. Resist clearing everything away in autumn. Nature needs shelter.