Birds I Mammals I Fish I Reptiles & Amphibians I Insects

    

Insects and the Lake Ontario Shoreline

Each spring, hoards of insects hatch from the lake and shoreline wetlands. Your first thought might be, "How do I stop this?" But that should be the last thing you would want to do.

All of those hatching insects are an extremely important food source for the more than 40 migrant bird species that can be seen along the Lake Ontario shoreline. The insects are also food for frogs, fish, mammals and other insects.

 
Butterflies and moths are insects also. Many Lake Ontario shoreline owners enjoy watching monarch butterflies migrating during the spring and fall.
 
A healthy, vegetated shoreline is inviting to dragonflies, natural predators of mosquitoes.
   
Quick Tips for Attracting Insects to Your Property
     
   

To attract more insects to your property:

  • Plant a variety of nectar-producing flowers for butterflies and moths.
  • Minimize the use of pesticides.
  • If you must use pesticides, apply them according to the instructions on the labels.
      
For more ideas about how to attract beneficial insects to your property visit the 6 Tips for Creating A Wildlife Friendly Shoreline page.


New York Sea Grant I SUNY Oswego I Oswego, NY 13126
315-312-3042
Designed by Molly Thompson, Dune/Habitat Educator
mat36@cornell.edu