Not all insects are harmful to your garden! One of the best ways to control peats in the garden is to encourage their natural enemies. Here are a few of the most common beneficial insects.
Ladybugs
There are more than 400 species of lady beetles found in North America. Most ladybugs feed on aphids and other soft bodies insects. They are attracted to flower nectar and pollen, which they eat before they can reproduce.
Lacewings
Pale green or brown lacewing adults feed mainly on flower nectar. The larvae, however, are voracious predators that feed on aphids, thrips, scales, moth eggs, small caterpillars and mites.
Hover flies
These insects as adults look very much like small bees. They are also attracted to flowers to feed on nectar and pollen. The larvae however feed on aphids and are able to get into tight places where other good bugs can’t go. The adults also pollinate strawberries and raspberries, producing larger fruits and higher yields.
Ground Beetles
These large, long-legged, shiny blue-black or brown beetles that hide under rocks and logs during the day, are very fast moving when disturbed. They feed on slugs, snails, cutworms, root maggots, and Colorado potato beetle larvae. Attract them by providing perennial ground covers, stones or logs.
Parasitic Wasps
There are hundreds of species of wasps, including many that are very tiny. These mini wasps often attack the eggs of pests, are one of the most important insect groups that provide control of garden pests. You can attract them to your garden by growing pollen and nectar plants.
Spiders
Spiders feed on insects and are very important in preventing pest outbreaks. The spiders you find in your garden do not move indoors and are usually not poisonous. Permanent perennial plantings and straw mulches will provide shelter and increase the spider populations in vegetable gardens. Next time you see a spider in the garden just remember how many insects it is eating!
Just as it is important to recognize the harmful pests in your garden and learn how to repeal them naturally it is also important to recognize the beneficial insects and encourage them to take up residence in your garden.
I just hope our Guinea Fowl can tell the difference between good and bad bugs!
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