VHS lecture: Tips on insect protection in the garden

"Insect nesting aids and their inhabitants" is the title of a lecture to which the VHS invites you on Tuesday, 7 February, 7.30 p.m., at the Media Centre. The speaker is Thomas Alfert, who has been active in nature conservation for many years at NABU Rhede.

In many gardens and other suitable places, nesting aids have been hung up in recent years to support wild bees. However, these nesting boxes are often not only used by wild bees, but also by a variety of other Hymenoptera and other insects. Therefore, observations at nesting boxes offer the opportunity to gain exciting insights into the life of insects. Children are also easily enthused about nature in this way.

Thomas Alfert, who has been active in nature conservation with NABU Rhede for many years, has photographically documented numerous observations in his nature garden. In addition to the most important wild bee species, various insect species and their lifestyles are presented, which can be found in and around the nesting boxes. This provides versatile insights into interesting life strategies and ecological requirements of the inhabitants. These ultimately determine what suitable nesting aids and their locations should look like.

Impressive picture impressions and expert explanations inspire and motivate to imitate. With insect-friendly planting, suitable nesting aids and a little more laissez-faire, even your own garden can become a refuge for nature.

Fear is unfounded in this context, by the way, because wild bees are not "wild" at all, but extremely peaceful and harmless and also very important as flower pollinators. Like many birds, they have a hard time finding a home for their offspring these days.

The lecture will take place on 7 February at 7.30 pm in the Media Centre at Hindenburgstraße 1. The fee for the lecture is 6 euros (reduced rate 5 euros). Please register in advance at www.vhs-bocholt.de to reserve a seat. Remaining places will be allocated at the box office on site.

If you are inspired by the lecture and would like to build an insect hotel yourself, the VHS offers a practical workshop on Saturday, 11 March, 3 - 6 pm.