Beneficial Garden Insects

There are several types of insects that can actually be beneficial to your garden, and you may want to encourage them to hang out there. The majority of the time we are trying to keep insects out of our gardens, but today is a day of organic foods, and many people do not want to use chemicals on their plants and vegetables due to the impact they may have on our bodies in the future.

Ladybugs are very beneficial to a plant and vegetable garden, in that they feed on aphids, mites and small caterpillars. You can actually buy ladybugs at most large nursery chains, or you can order them on the Internet and have them delivered via postal mail.

Hover flies are good for getting rid of fruit tree spider mites, green flies or small caterpillars, and look much like a wasp. The Hover flies actually hover over the plants and fly around in a darting motion, as if attacking. Hover flies are attracted to marigolds and phacelia plants.

Dragonflies are also very beneficial to your flower or vegetable garden in that they eat mosquitoes. Reedy plants attract dragonflies, or you can order them on the Internet and have them delivered to you via postal mail.

Green Lacewings Chrysoperla carnea are another type of insect that is considered to be a beneficial insect due to the fact that they eat aphids and other plant eating insects that would otherwise ruin your harvest.

The Praying Mantis also feeds off of a vast array of harmful insects including aphids, flies, and beetles. The only problem with the Praying Mantis is that they often times eat other beneficial bugs, so if you are using a combination of beneficial bugs, you may need to buy extras. The Praying Mantis is typically a very friendly bug, and does not seem to be bothered by humans.

Though these are not the only beneficial insects that you can use in your garden, at least you can get a good start on protecting your crops or flowers. Keep in mind that many bugs that you are able to find commercially will not stick around unless you make them an area near your garden that they are attracted to. Research the different insects to find out what types of environments they are attracted to, so that you do not spend your hard earned money buying insects that will wander away to a more attractive environment for themselves.