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This week, I\\u2019m speaking to esteemed entomologist Dr Ian Bedford about accepting the insects in your garden and learning to accept their vital role in the wider ecosystem. We talk about the how gardens can work alongside public spaces to provide habitats for beleaguered bugs, how we can reconcile growing food with welcoming bugs and whether reports of Insectageddon are justified.

About Dr Ian Bedford:

\\u201cI have been fascinated by insects and other invertebrates\\xa0for most of my life.

Starting out as an Amateur Entomologist, studying and conserving butterflies on the South Downs,\\xa0I went on to pursue\\xa0a professional career as a Research\\xa0Entomologist and ran\\xa0the\\xa0Entomology Department at the John Innes Centre in Norwich,\\xa0until my recent retirement\\xa0after 42 years. I can now follow my passion for all things Entomological at a more leisurely pace.\\xa0

Following retirement I am continuing to visit\\xa0Garden\\xa0and Horticultural Societies to give talks on various insect - related subjects.

In addition, I\'m attending event\\xa0days for Garden Centres, giving talks and arranging a Plant Pest Clinic for visitors and customers. I\'m also invited to talk\\xa0at a number of Garden Shows around the country.

I\\xa0also speak on a number of radio shows and currently have the great honour of being the\\xa0resident \'Go To\' Entomologist for BBC Radio Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire. I also record a bug-related story each week for Toby Buckland\'s Sunday morning \\xa0show on BBC Radio Devon \'An Entomologist Entertains\\u2019.

\\xa0I\'ve also featured on BBC Gardeners Question Time and\\xa0appeared on TV shows such as\\xa0BBC\\xa0Gardeners\' World, Inside Out, Tonight, Horizon, BBC Breakfast, A to Z of TV Gardening,\\xa0The Great British Garden Revival and even \\xa0Harry Hill\'s Alien Fun Capsule!\\u201d.\\xa0

What We Discuss:

• The species that most need our help at the moment
• Some of the best and worst habits us gardeners have that either help or hinder insects
• Plants that are fairly common but do little or nothing to provide a food source or habitat\\xa0
• Public and private landowners collaborating in order to establish a network of habitats
• The ecosystems of our gardens and our region-specific species
• Are all pesticides a no-no?
• How can we reconcile the need for wilder areas in our gardens and landscapes with the desire to grow food plants?
• Insectageddon - exaggerated or as bad as reported?\\xa0

Links:

Dr Ian Bedford\\u2019s Website\\xa0

Get in touch:

Email\\xa0podcast@rootsandall.co.uk\\xa0

Website www.rootsandall.co.uk\\xa0

Twitter\\xa0@rootsandall\\xa0

Instagram @rootsandallpod\\xa0

Help me keep the podcast free & independent! Support me on Patreon \\xa0

Or donate as much or as little as you like at GoFundMe\\xa0