Enlistening the Help of Good Bugs

Created on 7/1/2009

One of the most important points to remember in gardening is all bugs aren’t bad. This is why spraying the entire area, or even sweeping sections, isn’t a good idea. You kill the ones that help keep the bad characters in check.

Lady beetles (a.k.a. lady bugs) are one of the best known beneficials. They do serious damage to whiteflies, and are champions in snacking on aphids. You can buy them by the thousands in many garden centers or through mail order catalogs to stock your garden. Since most of them will most likely leave the area, your neighbors should thank you for the effort.

Other handy species to have in the battle are any number of the parasitic wasps that actually lay their eggs in live caterpillars so the newly hatched larvae have an instant food source, Yes, it’s straight out of a horror film, but keep in mind, these wasps are on your side. Even stink bugs are useful since they feed upon beetles and webworms (such as tent caterpillars) – just don’t pester them or you’ll find out why they’re called stink bugs! (Yes, I've poked at them and discovered first hand.)

You have to provide suitable habitat to keep your little army of beneficial insects happy so they stay in the area. They’re drawn to your garden by flowers and plants that offer nectar, and then will take advantage of the opportunity to feed on aphids and other insects, as well as use their bodies as nurseries.

Plant flowers and plants that will keep their attention so they stay put. Alyssum blooms early in the season, and will continue until a hard freeze does it in for the year. Many beneficial insects also like dill weed, cilantro (not the slow-bolting type since you want the umbrella-like floral clusters), yarrow, small flowered sunflowers and buckwheat. Intersperse these among your vegetables to create islands where good species can gather.

Even though they don’t kill damaging pests, one of the most beneficial insects you want in your garden are honeybees, and with the continuing problems due to mites and the puzzling Colony Collapse Disorder, honeybee populations are down in many areas. This is very evident in suburban gardens where home gardeners suddenly have issues with pollination. For example, if your zucchini flowers, but you never have any zucchini, you most likely need bees.

Outside of starting your own hive, which is why I began beekeeping in 1996, there are ways to encourage local bees to visit your garden. Plant the flowers they love. Russian sage, chives and borage are all honeybee favorites. Grow them alongside your tomatoes, peppers, squash and other vegetables to catch the attention of the honeybee scouts and ensure adequate pollination.

Be careful when you’re surveying your garden, and don’t be alarmed if you see a healthy array of insects. Some might cause problems, but keep in mind you have a good number on your side to help keep everything in balance.