I discovered yesterday that while earwigs can damage some things, they are also good at eating aphids. A habitat for them to hide in is a felt bag full of wood wool. I had everything I needed, so I have made a earwig shelter , with twine for tying it into the apple tree.

Today I went to the pile of wood by the stream to give it one last look. It had been added to and tidied up. The huge piece was still at the bottom, but even better was this 4-foot-plus length that went through the middle of the pile. I managed to get it out without ruining the pile and hauled it home. It’s beautifully straight and has great hidey holes.