Nick Baker
Experts are forecasting a record summer for bugs thanks to the mild and warm conditions but before you reach for the bug spray or swatter stop and think; what would our world look like without bugs?
Without pollinating bugs such as bees, wasps and midges, much of our UK produce - crops, fruit, honey - would be lost.
But it’s not just pollinating bugs that are important, bugs such as ladybirds and beetles act as natural predators, keeping plants free of damaging pests such as aphids. Without these important creatures the use of pesticides will soar.
Why I Love Organic recently ran a survey into our attitudes to bugs which not only revealed wasps as Britain’s most hated buy but also showed 20% of us believe our little creepy crawly friends ruin summer, while over 70% believe bugs are not important at all.
However, we couldn’t be further from the truth with 80% of food plant species worldwide and one in three mouthfuls of food we consume delivered to us by pollinators.
While the vast majority of people questioned knew the role that bees play in creating honey, two thirds didn’t know that one of Britain’s favourite treats, chocolate, is completely reliant on a tiny midge, no bigger than the head of a pin.
A further 55% of respondents didn’t know that coffee production is also reliant on pollinating bugs.
In our podcast TV Naturalist Nick Baker tells us why bugs are so important to food production, the environment and your garden.
He also shares his top tips on creating a bug friendly haven at home. Catherine Fookes, Campaign Manager for Why I Love Organic also discusses why buying organic food and supporting organic farming is something you can do at home to help these little critters out.