Garden Insects: The Good and Bad

Any experienced gardener knows that a healthy presence of beneficial insects is the best and most natural way to ward off  problematic pests that want to munch on your landscape. If you aren’t able to determine friend versus foe, then you don’t know who to welcome and who to deter.

You’ll be surprised at what’s on the welcome list. While an abundance of any bug feels like a pestilence, even some wasps and beetles are beneficial in small numbers.

Friendly Garden Bugs

Here are a few friendly creatures to be on the lookout for, including what attracts them and what kinds of pests they keep at bay.

Spiders

That’s right, spiders are at the top of our list. A controversial creature, most of us either love them or hate them. Either way, they’re great for combating mosquitoes, houseflies, fruit flies, bedbugs, and even roaches. Spiders are attracted to tall plants and hanging branches that make it easy to weave webs.

Green Lacewings

These pretty little insects will help control an overpopulation of whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs. As with many on our list, they tend to enjoy herbs! They prefer angelica, coriander, and dill.

EarthWorms

These guys are not considered insects, so they shouldn’t be on this list.  But, they are very important for your garden, so we want to let you know about the benefits anyway.

Firstly, earthworms are some of the hardest-working critters in the garden. They process organic material (both in the soil and in your compost pile) and recycle the contents into nutrients.  They help improve soil structure, and they create tunnels in the soil for air, water, and plant roots.

Get the benefits of these worms without having to find any worms.  Check out worm castings or worm tea bags.

Ground Beetles

These guys are somewhat controversial, as an abundance of their larvae, will harm your lawn. AKA, grubworms. Learn how to keep bugs out of your grass.

The truth is, a moderate population of ground beetles in your yard will cut back on cutworms, caterpillars, and potato beetles. They love clover, amaranthus, and evening primrose.

Minute Pirate Bugs

These guys enjoy preying on caterpillars, aphids, and spider mites. Why include caterpillars in the list of foes? Just like grub worms, they cause damage as larvae, even though they mature into beneficial insects as adults. Like many bugs on this list, a bit of population control will help keep your plants from getting munched on to the point of problematic damage.

Minute pirate bugs are attracted to such plants as alfalfa, caraway, and spearmint. Minute pirate bugs will bite humans and the bite is annoying.

Ladybugs

These well-loved beetles love to munch on aphids. Aphids are considered as garden pests with no redeeming qualities.

They also enjoy eating potato beetles, which is good news if you have a vegetable garden.  Ladybugs are attracted to dill and dandelions.

Praying Mantis

These “tiny aliens” are a childhood favorite, and certainly a welcome resident in your yard. They feast on larger pests such as crickets, moths, and caterpillars. They are attracted to dill, cosmos flowers, and tall grasses.

Damsel Bugs

These are a great companion for those who like to grow leafy greens in their garden, as they prey on bugs that tend to munch on garden veggies.

This includes, cabbage worms, caterpillars, and aphids. Damsel bugs are also attracted to fennel, spearmint, and caraway.

Braconid Wasps

Not only do these wasps not sting, but you may not even recognize them as wasps in the first place. Their bodies are black and maroon, and their wings fold back and overlap when they land. Braconid wasps prey on aphids and caterpillars, and are attracted to parsley, lemon balm, and yarrow.

Garden Bugs To Avoid

When it comes to maintaining a healthy and thriving garden, it’s important to keep certain bugs at bay. Here’s a list of insects you definitely don’t want in your garden:

Aphids

These tiny, soft-bodied insects are notorious for attacking a wide variety of plants and sucking the sap out of them, causing stunted growth and deformed leaves.

Whiteflies

These small, white-winged insects can cause significant damage to plants by sucking sap and transmitting plant diseases. They primarily target ornamental plants and vegetables.

Spider Mites

These minuscule pests are known for causing damage by sucking the plant’s sap, leading to yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and the appearance of webbing.

Cabbage Worms

As the name suggests, these caterpillars feed on cabbage plants and their relatives, causing extensive damage by eating large holes in the leaves and stems.

Mealybugs

These soft-bodied insects often go unnoticed until their numbers multiply. Mealybugs feed on plant sap and excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes the growth of black sooty mold.

Japanese Beetles

These metallic-green beetles are voracious feeders and can damage a wide range of plants, especially roses and other ornamentals. They skeletonize leaves and can quickly defoliate a plant if left unchecked.

Slugs and Snails

These slimy creatures love to feast on young seedlings, delicate leaves, and tender shoots. They can leave a trail of destruction in their wake and are particularly active during damp and cool weather.

Squash Bugs

These pests primarily target squash and pumpkin plants, piercing them with their mouthparts and sucking out sap. Their feeding leads to wilting, yellowing leaves, and in severe cases, plant death.

Thrips

These tiny, slender insects feed on plant tissues by piercing and sucking the sap. They cause leaves to appear silvery or bronzed and can transmit plant viruses.

Leaf Miners

These insect larvae tunnel their way through the interior of leaves, leaving unsightly trails or mines behind. The damage they cause weakens the plant and can lead to premature leaf drop.

Wrapping Up

Remember, maintaining a healthy garden involves a balance of beneficial insects and pests. While it’s best to avoid the pests mentioned above, it’s equally crucial to create a garden environment that attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and pirate bugs.

Additionally, regular monitoring, proper sanitation, and utilizing appropriate pest control measures, including organic methods, will help keep unwanted insects at bay and ensure your garden thrives.

D Boone