Other small animals in the garden
First of all, it will be a hedgehog, exterminator of harmful larvae and snails. He likes to visit such a garden, in which he finds the conditions for shelter. He likes dense places in the hedge best, where he feels confident during the day, or a safe place under the floor of a summer house or gazebo - this is where he usually builds a nest. To keep these useful animals in the garden, they can be fed - preferably in the evening hours. The sight of a mother with little hedgehogs will prove that this useful animal has become at home all the time. Slowworm can be found in a properly cared for compost heap, which takes advantage of the moisture and heat of the compost. It mainly feeds on snails and various insects. In too dry and hot compost, a harmful rumble of snack develops. Lizards are also among the desired inhabitants of the garden, who like warm and dry places, especially walls and stones heated by the sun. They are tireless exterminators of harmful insects.
Toads should not be missing in the garden. They are among the best snail exterminators, but you need to create appropriate conditions on the plot. Toads most often live in wet places, although they also like the sun, a avoid rocky and too dry terrain. They can often be found in the beds with green beans. They need natural water bodies for reproduction. The leaves, left under hedges and shrubs, provide shelter and winter food for many useful animals. If there are hazel bushes in the garden, it is in August that squirrels eagerly visit them, which bring a lot of joy to children.
The gardener's task is also to protect and take care of beneficial insects. Their activity has a decisive influence on the health of the garden, especially the orchard. This will be discussed in the chapter on integrated pest management. Here are just two examples. Ladybugs both in the larval stage, and an adult insect destroy a lot of aphids. If there are a lot of ladybugs in the garden, it is not necessary to spray the plants with poisonous insecticides against aphids. Gold-eyed larvae pose an even greater threat to aphids (Chrysopa carnea). One larva destroys 200-300 aphids during its two-week development, and 30-50 spider mites within an hour. This is reason enough, to protect these useful insects effectively and to remember about them when working in the garden.
