Beneficial Insects: a Natural Pesticide for Your Garden

How do you keep bugs out of your garden without using pesticides? One tried and true method is to grow plants that attract beneficial insects – that is, pest-eating bugs like bees and ladybugs.

These are bugs who eat the other bugs that would eat your garden. We’re talking about ladybugs, certain types of flies and wasps, Praying Mantis, green lacewings, and a number of other species.

Why It Works

When you get insects eating your garden, your first thought is probably to get rid of them. But instead of trying to kill them directly, you can recruit beneficial insects to eat them instead.

Natural Pesticide

These little guys can actually be your garden’s best allies, providing natural pest control and contributing to the overall health and vitality of your plants.

Pollination

In addition to their pest control capabilities, beneficial insects also play a crucial role in the pollination of your plants. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects are responsible for transferring pollen from one plant to another, which is essential for the production of fruits and seeds.

Soil Health

Believe it or not, beneficial insects can also contribute to the overall health and fertility of your garden’s soil. Many species, like dung beetles, help to aerate the soil, break down organic matter, and recycle nutrients.

The Beneficial Insect Lineup

Many species of beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, lacewings, and praying mantises, are natural predators that feed on common garden pests like aphids, mites, and caterpillars. By introducing these beneficial predators, you can reduce the need for chemical pesticides, which can be harmful to the environment and potentially toxic to humans and other wildlife.

Not every species of friendly bug lives in every region, so you’ll need to find out which ones are common in your area before you try attracting them. You may be able to find a website for your region by searching for a phrase like “native bugs Florida.”

If that doesn’t work, look for books at your local library. You can also ask a local gardening shop what bugs you can expect to attract.

But there’s a general rule: if you know one of the plants on these lists grows well in your area, chances are the bugs who like it thrive there, too. So, for example, dill attracts several types of beneficial insects, and it grows well in my area. And it’s delicious, so that’s one I always plant.

While you’re at it, you may want to think about replacing some high-maintenance grass with lower maintenance plants.

Here are the most common insects that prey on the insects you want to get rid of in your garden.

Ladybugs (Ladybirds)

Ladybugs are perhaps one of the most well-known beneficial insects, thanks to their voracious appetite for aphids and other soft-bodied pests. As both larvae and adults, ladybugs can consume hundreds of aphids per day.

Plant nectar-rich flowers, provide sheltered overwintering sites, and avoid using broad-spectrum pesticides.

Lacewings

Lacewings are another valuable predatory insect that feed on a variety of garden pests, including aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. The larvae of lacewings, known as “aphid lions,” are particularly effective at controlling aphid populations.

To attract lacewings, incorporate plants that provide nectar and pollen, such as yarrow, dill, and fennel.

Praying Mantises

Praying mantises are impressive predators that can help control a wide range of garden pests, from aphids and caterpillars to crickets and grasshoppers. These fascinating insects are adept hunters, using their lightning-fast reflexes to capture and consume their prey.

To bring them to your garden, provide them with diverse plant life and sheltered overwintering sites.

Parasitic Wasps

While the thought of wasps in the garden may sound like a bad idea, many species actually prey on common garden pests. Parasitic wasps, for example, lay their eggs inside the bodies of caterpillars, aphids, and other insects, ultimately killing their hosts.

To attract these helpful wasps, incorporate nectar-rich flowers and avoid using broad-spectrum insecticides.

Spiders

Spiders play a crucial role in controlling garden pests. Many species of spiders are adept at capturing and consuming a variety of insects, including aphids, caterpillars, and beetles.

To encourage spiders to take up residence in your garden, provide them with diverse habitats, such as piles of leaves, logs, or rocks, and avoid excessive disturbance of the soil.

Bees and Other Pollinators

Of course, no discussion of beneficial insects would be complete without mentioning bees and other pollinators. These hardworking creatures are responsible for the pollination of your flowers and crops, ensuring that you have a bountiful harvest.

To attract a diverse array of pollinators, plant a variety of native flowers, provide access to clean water sources, and avoid using pesticides that could harm these vital insects.

Your Diverse Garden

Once you know which bugs you want to attract, it’s just a matter of planting the right plants in the right spot. For example, if aphids keep targeting your rosebush, put butterfly weed or dill near the rosebush to attract ladybugs who will eat the aphids.

One of the most effective ways to attract beneficial insects is to plant a diverse mix of flowering plants, shrubs, and trees in your garden. Different species of insects are attracted to different types of plants.

When choosing plants, aim for a mix of annuals, perennials, and native species. This will provide a continuous source of nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. Some particularly beneficial plant choices include:

Sunflowers, zinnias, and marigolds for their bright, showy blooms
Herbs like dill, fennel, and cilantro that attract predatory insects
Native wildflowers like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and goldenrod
Shrubs and trees that offer shelter and overwintering sites, such as lilacs, serviceberries, and oak trees

Water Sources

These insects also need access to clean, reliable water sources. This could be as simple as a shallow birdbath, a small pond or stream, or even a dripping faucet.

Be sure to include stones or sticks that insects can use as landing pads, and change the water regularly to prevent the buildup of algae or stagnation.

Minimize or Avoid Pesticide Use

If you commit to this way of gardening, you’ll need to minimize or eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides in your garden. These chemicals can be highly toxic to the insects you’re trying to attract.

Offer Shelter and Overwintering Sites

These bugs also need safe, sheltered spaces to rest, breed, and overwinter. You can provide these habitats by leaving areas of your garden a little “wild,” with piles of leaves, logs, or brush.

Avoid Disturbing the Soil

Ground beetles and spiders live in the soil and rely on it as a source of food and shelter. Try to minimize your tilling or digging, and leave some areas of your garden undisturbed.

Is that bug/cocoon/egg an ally or an enemy?

Once you start attracting bugs, you’ll want to know how to tell friendly bugs from enemy bugs. Dave’s Garden has a searchable database of 5,000 bugs, which is very helpful if you have some idea what your mystery bug might be.

Country Farm Lifestyles also has a helpful page for learning more about the insects in your garden.

Another important aspect of promoting the beneficial insects is knowing not to kill them when they’re in egg or larval stages.