Not all Insects are Bad
Regardless of whether you’re a fan of creepy-crawlies that are commonly found in gardens and landscaping, there’s no denying that some of them can actually be very helpful. Whether eliminating pests, pollinating flowers, or keeping everything clean and tidy, many insects are beneficial to lawns and gardens. Let’s take a look at a few!
Bumblebees
An insect that is being tragically exterminated the world over, the bumblebee is your best friend and a non-confrontational helper when it comes to tending to your landscaping. They’ll happily buzz around and pollinate flowers, keeping your garden lively and full of vibrancy. Many confuse them with other types of bees such as wasps, and they simply act upon catching sight of their yellow-black pattern and hearing their buzzing. However, be sure to spare them from the flyswatter. If you do, you’ll not only have a beautiful and lush outdoor retreat, but you’ll also help to save such an important non-hostile species of insect.
Ladybugs
Ladybugs are commonly welcomed in yards thanks to their normally-passive nature, and these colourful little dot-shaped insects do a lot of work to protect your landscaping as a result. Adults love to munch on aphids, mites, and mealybugs, and their larvae have an even bigger appetite. Planting dill, fennel, yarrow, and similar plants help to attract ladybugs to your yard, and you won’t regret it!
Green Lacewing
Green lacewings are elegant little cheerfully-coloured insects that work much like ladybugs. Adults and their larvae will happily eat aphids, caterpillars, mealybugs, scales, thrips, and those stubborn whiteflies. You can even plant some beautiful cosmos to attract them, so it’s never been easier to get some extra garden security for your yard.
Nocturnal Ground Beetles
They may be big, fast, and shiver-inducing to some people, but nocturnal ground beetles can clear a yard of annoying pests like it’s nobody’s business. They’re a voracious predator of slugs, snails, cutworms, cabbage maggots, and other pests. These guys mean business — just one beetle larva can chew through more than 50 caterpillars! Perennials are great habitats and are sure to attract them.
Tachinid Flies
There are in fact some species of flies that can be more beneficial and less annoying! Tachinid flies are a great example, as they are the ultimate caterpillar-killer. Their larvae actually burrow into their insect prey, eating them from the inside out and making quick work of them. It may sound a little disgusting, but this method works to quickly eradicate your lawn of one of it’s most significant pests. Dill, parsley, and similar herbs are sure to draw them to your property to get to work.
Have you considered what kinds of insects are actually good for your landscaping? With these five examples, you’re set to get started on having a healthy, pest-free lawn and garden. Contact us today for more information on how to protect your landscaping from pests!