Beneficial insects for your garden: Boosting plant health naturally

The average garden can be home to thousands of insects. A large portion of these insects are beneficial to your garden. With the right plants in your garden, you can boost the natural effects of attracting the best beneficial insects in your garden.

Beneficial insects in your garden

Beneficial insects may include pollinators, predators and even parasitic insects. Everyone knows of bees and even butterflies as beneficial insects, but there are others you may not be acquainted with.

Ladybugs

Delightful and ferocious predators. These bright red bugs love feasting on aphids, making them one of the best beneficial insects in your garden. Ladybugs can eat over 40 aphids, freeing your plants of these destructive aphids.

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Praying Mantids

Praying mantises are effective predators, quickly dealing with insects that may be bothering your garden. They hunt a variety of pest insects, including moths, beetles, and flies. However, it’s important to note that while they can be beneficial, praying mantises can also be ruthless and may eat other beneficial insects present in your garden.

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Ground Beetles

These nocturnal predatory insects lay their eggs around the base of perennial plants. Ground beetles contribute to the decomposition process by feeding on plant material found in compost piles and mulch. They also help control garden pests, consuming a wide range of threats such as caterpillars, cutworms, snails, and thrips. With their shiny black wings, these insects are beneficial and should be invited into your garden.

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Bees

No garden can thrive without bees. Bees are among the most important pollinators, and without them, plant reproduction would be greatly diminished. This large group of beneficial insects are attracted to a wide variety of plants, annuals or perennials. They benefit your garden by pollinating it with different plants to increase the plant productivity of your garden.