If you’re an aspiring gardener or still polishing up your green thumb, you might see any bug that dares to enter your garden as an intruder that needs to be eliminated. But believe it or not, not all bugs are bad news! Some creepy crawlers can help your garden thrive! These friendly bugs feed on pest insects that can damage and destroy different parts of your garden. Some people even introduce them into their gardens purposefully as a means of targeted pest control.
Here are a few helpful insects that can greatly benefit your outdoor garden and backyard space.
Ladybugs
Some people believe ladybugs are good luck—and for the gardener, that’s true! They feed on soft-bodied, plant-damaging insects like aphids, mites, and mealybugs, making them fantastic natural pest control agents. You can attract them to your garden by planting dill, fennel, common yarrow, and plant angelica, to name a few.
Ground Beetles
Despite their seemingly ominous appearance, ground beetles are highly beneficial for your garden. These nocturnal predators feed on slugs, caterpillars, and other harmful insects. They spend most of their life in the soil, making them a valuable ally in the fight against soil-dwelling pests.
Praying Mantises
Praying mantises may look like something from a sci-fi movie, but they’re a gardener’s best friend. These fascinating creatures are voracious predators, feeding on various insects, including moths, crickets, and even mosquitoes. They’re known to have a big appetite, so they can help keep your garden’s pest population in check.
Spiders
Spiders may not be everyone’s favorite creature, but in the garden, they’re beneficial. Spiders prey on many insects that can harm your plants. Common garden spiders include orb weavers, crab spiders, and jumping spiders. Each of these spiders has a role in managing different insect populations, protecting your garden from damage.
So, next time you spot one of these helpful bugs in your garden, give them a nod of gratitude. They’re working hard to keep your garden healthy. Of course, distinguishing beneficial bugs from harmful pests can be challenging, and that’s where the experts come in.
At VistaPro Landscape & Design, we offer expert grounds management services to help you maintain a balanced and healthy outdoor environment. Our knowledgeable team can help identify beneficial insects and safely manage harmful pests in your backyard, like mosquitos!
Contact us at (301)805-0119 or fill out our contact form online for a free consultation and learn more about our lawn care so we can help you transform and maintain your gorgeous landscape.