How Do I Create A Garden With A Focus On Attracting Beneficial Predatory Mites?
There's nothing quite like the joy of tending to a garden. The satisfaction of seeing your hard work pay off as your plants grow and bloom is something truly special. Unfortunately, there are a lot of pests out there that would love nothing more than to ruin your garden and undo all of your hard work. That's where beneficial insects come in! These little bugs are the secret weapon of many a green-thumbed gardener, and today we're going to take a look at 22 of them that you can use to protect your own garden.
Before we get started, it's important to note that using beneficial insects to protect your garden is an eco-friendly alternative to using harsh chemical pesticides. Not only are chemicals potentially harmful to the environment and wildlife, but they can also negatively impact the health of your plants. Beneficial insects, on the other hand, are a natural solution that won't harm your plants or the ecosystem.
Aphid Midges
Aphids are a common pest that can wreak havoc on your plants. Luckily, aphid midges are here to save the day! These tiny black flies are less than 1/8 inch long but they pack a powerful punch. They prey on aphids, which are one of their favorite foods. Aphid midges are attracted to plants that are infested with aphids, so if you see them around your garden, it's a good sign that you have an aphid problem. These beneficial insects can be purchased from garden centers or online.
Braconid Wasps
Braconid wasps are a type of parasitoid wasp that can be used to control a variety of pests in your garden. They are particularly effective against caterpillars and tomato hornworms. These tiny wasps lay their eggs inside the larvae of their prey, which eventually kills the host. Braconid wasps also prey on other pests like aphids and flies. You can encourage these beneficial insects to hang around your garden by planting herbs like dill, fennel, and parsley.
Hoverflies
Hoverflies may look like bees, but they are actually a type of fly. They are important beneficial insects because they prey on many common garden pests, including aphids, mealybugs, and thrips. Hoverflies are attracted to plants that produce a lot of nectar, so planting flowers like daisies, marigolds, and sunflowers can help to draw them into your garden.
Ladybugs
Ladybugs are perhaps the most well-known of all the beneficial insects out there. These little beetles are bright red or orange with black spots, and they are very effective against aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects. Ladybugs are available for purchase from garden centers, but you can also attract them to your garden by planting pollen and nectar-rich plants like daisies, herbs, and fennel.
Lacewings
Lacewings are delicate-looking insects that are actually predacious and voracious when it comes to gobbling up garden pests. These beneficial insects are particularly effective against aphids and mealybugs, but they will also chow down on other pests like caterpillars and mites. Lacewings can be purchased from garden centers, but you can also attract them to your garden by planting pollen and nectar-rich flowers like cosmos, dill, and goldenrod.
Mantis
Praying mantises are fascinating insects that are also great for your garden. These predators feed on a variety of pests, including beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers. They are particularly effective against caterpillars, aphids, and other small insects. Praying mantises can be purchased online or from garden centers, but be aware that they can be aggressive towards each other, so it's best to only keep one per garden.
Mason Bees
Mason bees are important pollinators that can also help control pests in your garden. These gentle bees lay their eggs in little clay tubes or holes in wood, and they are particularly fond of fruit trees and berry plants. Mason bees are not aggressive and are unlikely to sting, even if provoked. You can encourage these beneficial insects to hang around your garden by providing them with a bee house or a pile of hollow stems.
Minute Pirate Bugs
Despite their name, minute pirate bugs are actually a type of beneficial insect. These tiny black bugs are less than 1/4 inch long and prey on a variety of pests, including aphids, spider mites, and thrips. Minute pirate bugs are attracted to plants that produce a lot of nectar, so planting flowers like daisies, marigolds, and sunflowers can help to draw them into your garden.
Nematodes
Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that can be used to control certain garden pests, including grubs, flea beetles, and root weevils. These beneficial insects are available for purchase online or from garden centers, and they work by infecting and killing the targeted pests. Nematodes are harmless to humans, pets, and beneficial insects, so you can use them without worrying about negative side effects.
Parasitic Wasps
Parasitic wasps are a group of insects that lay their eggs inside the bodies of other insects, eventually killing the host. There are many different types of parasitic wasps, each with their own target pest. For example, the trichogramma wasp lays its eggs inside the eggs of moth and butterfly pests, while the chalcid wasp lays its eggs inside the larvae of several different types of pests. Parasitic wasps can be purchased online or from garden centers and are a natural way to control pests in your garden without using harmful chemicals.
Pirate Bugs
Pirate bugs are another type of beneficial insect that can help control garden pests. These tiny black and white bugs are less than 1/4 inch long and prey on many common garden pests, including spider mites, thrips, and aphids. Pirate bugs are attracted to plants that produce a lot of pollen and nectar, so planting flowers like daisies, marigolds, and sunflowers can help to draw them into your garden.
Predatory Mites
Predatory mites are a type of beneficial insect that can be used to control spider mites, which can be a serious problem for many gardeners. These tiny mites feed on the eggs and larvae of spider mites, eventually reducing their population and preventing further damage to your plants. Predatory mites are available for purchase online or from garden centers.
Praying Mantids
We already mentioned praying mantises, but it's worth emphasizing just how effective these insects can be at controlling garden pests. Not only do they feed on a variety of pests, but they are also excellent at hiding in plain sight and ambushing their prey. Praying mantises can be purchased online or from garden centers, but be aware that they can be aggressive towards each other, so it's best to only keep one per garden.
Soldier Beetles
Soldier beetles are a type of beneficial insect that are great at controlling both pest insects and weed plants. These beetles are attracted to plants that produce a lot of pollen and nectar, so planting flowers like daisies, marigolds, and sunflowers can help to draw them into your garden. Soldier beetles are also effective at eating weed seeds, which can help reduce the amount of weeding you need to do in your garden.
Spined Soldier Bugs
Spined soldier bugs are a type of stink bug that are actually beneficial to your garden. These bugs are named for the sharp spines on their backs, which they use for protection. Spined soldier bugs are effective at controlling a variety of pests, including aphids, mites, and caterpillars. These beneficial insects are attracted to plants that produce a lot of nectar, so planting flowers like daisies, marigolds, and sunflowers can help to draw them into your garden.
Tachinid Flies
Tachinid flies are a type of parasitoid fly that can be used to control a variety of pest insects in your garden. These flies lay their eggs inside the host insect, which eventually kills the host. Tachinid flies are particularly effective against caterpillars, but they also prey on other pests like beetles. These beneficial insects are attracted to plants that produce a lot of nectar, so planting flowers like daisies, marigolds, and sunflowers can help to draw them into your garden.
Trichogramma Wasps
Trichogramma wasps are a type of parasitic wasp that lay their eggs inside the eggs of moth and butterfly pests. When the trichogramma eggs hatch, they consume the contents of the pest eggs, preventing them from hatching. Trichogramma wasps are particularly effective against pests like cabbage worms and tomato hornworms. These beneficial insects are available for purchase online or from garden centers.
Whitefly Parasites
Whiteflies are a common pest that can be difficult to control, but there is a natural solution: whitefly parasites. These tiny wasps lay their eggs inside the larvae of whiteflies, which eventually kills the host. Whitefly parasites are available for purchase online or from garden centers, and they are an effective way to control whiteflies in your garden without resorting to harmful chemicals.
Yellow Jackets
You might not think of yellow jackets as beneficial insects, but they can actually be very effective at controlling pest insects in your garden. Yellow jackets are a type of wasp that are attracted to protein-rich foods, and they will prey on many common garden pests, including caterpillars, flies, and even other wasps. You can encourage yellow jackets to hang around your garden by providing them with a protein source like pet food or scraps of meat.
Zebra Lacewings
Zebra lacewings are a type of predatory lacewing that are great for controlling many common garden pests, including aphids and mealybugs. These beneficial insects are attracted to plants that produce a lot of nectar, so planting flowers like daisies, marigolds, and sunflowers can help to draw them into your garden. Zebra lacewings can be purchased online or from garden centers.
As you can see, there are many different types of beneficial insects that you can use to protect your garden without using harmful chemicals. By attracting these little bugs into your garden and providing them with a safe habitat, you can keep pest insects at bay and enjoy a healthier, more vibrant garden. Plus, it's always fun to see these cute and fascinating insects at work!
