Leave Debris for Insects and Critters to Spend the Winter

October is one of the busiest months for getting things done around the yard. One would think that with the harvest winding down that it would be a slow time, but I do not find that to be the case, as it's a race against time to get everything done before the ground is frozen or covered with snow. We had our first freeze this week which killed off most of the annuals, so now I can start fall preparations in earnest. Saturday I had planned on doing yard work all day, but when the thermometer approached sixty degrees I decided that I had to take the opportunity to wax the car. I still got some tasks done, like emptying planter boxes, taking down fencing and trimming plants around the house.

Although it is important to clear debris away from the foundation and to make sure leaves are raked from the lawn or mulched in place, remember to keep some leaf litter, brush piles and plants undisturbed for the many small mammals and insects that will be looking for safe places to spend the winter.

Some will burrow underground, like chipmunks and ground nesting bees. Other insects will look for shelter within a plant, such is underneath tree bark. Hollow stems, such as these hollyhocks could provide a winter home for some insects.

Hollyhocks

This summer a patch of Asiatic Dayflowers just appeared. As the name implies this plant originated in Asia and is technically an invasive. I trimmed it back, but did remove all of it since I love the pretty blue flowers.

Asiatic Dayflowers (Commelina communis)

When I was doing some garden cleanup, I noticed an insect undergoing metamorphis inside one of the leaves. I have no idea what it was, but since only one to three percent of insects in the United States are considered pests (National Pesticide Information Center) I let it be.

An insect undergoing metamorphis in an Asiatic Dayflower

The fall is a great time to observe former summer homes of wildlife, such as this bald faced wasps nest. It had been in this maple tree next to our garage all summer, but we only noticed it after most of the its leaves had dropped.

Bald faced hornets nest

As fall approaches, males and new queens leave the nest to mate. The males die, but the queens will hibernate and awake in the Spring to start their own colonies. Although bald faced hornets aren't great pollinators, they do eat many insect pests such as deer flies and horse flies. They are definitely a beneficial insect and as long as they are not attached your house or within a passageway, they should be left alone.

Sometimes insects or small mammals will try to overwinter inside your home. This is the time of year to be vigilant and address any signs of rodents in the house as soon as possible. We noticed  some signs of mice in our garage, such as pieces of insulation dropped on floor, so I set up a couple Havahart traps. In two days, we caught two mice, which have been relocated to some woods about five miles away.

Havahart trips are just as efficient as killing traps

Inside our bulkhead doors, several cocoons appeared overnight. I'm thinking they are some kind of moth, but perhaps they are from another insect or spider? Please post a comment if you think you know what insect they are from.

Unidentified egg sacs or cocoons?

I am hoping that we have a few mild weekends left before winter-like weather settles in. We are fortunate to have shelter to keep us safe and warm over the winter months. Let's all make sure that  nearby wildlife have the same.