Vegetation which is diverse and may appear to us to be messy, provides a suite of resources for beneficials as different organisms have different habitat preferences and food requirement.
- Native vegetation with many layers, from trees and shrubs through to grasses and small herbs encourages a diversity of beneficials.
- Beneficials use a range of vegetation types from woodlands through to open grasslands and pastures
- Logs, rocks, dead standing trees and litter provide important habitat.
- Prolifically flowering plants attract many beneficials as well as birds and small mammals.
> Maintain and protect as many layers in areas of existing native vegetation as possible, by controlling weeds and feral animals such as pigs.
> Leave logs, rocks, dead trees and litter as they provide habitat too.
> Reduce where possible grazing impacts as, if not managed well, these can simplify vegetation by preventing establishment of new plants.
> Incorporate areas of native grassland. Consider introducing a native perennial pasture buffer around crop margins as a refuge for beneficials.
> Revegetate areas of your property with a mix of native plants especially those that flower prolifically such as eucalyptus and tea trees or salt bushes.
> Contact your local state forestry nurseries, catchment management authorities or natural resource bodies to find out what species of plants are suitable for your area and where you can source them.
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Revegetate areas with a diverse mix of native trees, shrubs and grasses. Photo: S. Vogel |
| Eucalyptus and other species in the Myrtaceae family (Ag bottlebrushes, tea trees ect.) provide excellent habitat and food resources for a range of beneficial bugs, as well as birds and bats. Photo: S. Vogel |
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Some beneficials prefer to spend some of their time in open pastures and grasslands. Give grasses a go too. Photo: S. Vogel
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