But we’re not denying that there are also garden insects you want to get rid of immediately.
Here’s a short guide on the bugs you want to leave alone in your garden and the bugs that should leave your garden alone.
Ladybugs
This family of spotted beetles are widely known as beneficial insects in gardens and croplands.
Their choice of prey are agricultural pests like aphids and scale insects, so they’re very practical to have around.
To attract them, writer Melissa King recommends growing fragrant plants like angelica, marigold, dill, and fennel.
Make sure there’s enough water for lady bugs to drink and ground cover for their protection.
Damsel Bugs
This means they’re not really picky when it comes to their prey. Aside form aphids and scale insects, they also feed on moth eggs, caterpillars, cabbage loopers, and mites.
Ground Beetle
Don’t shoo them away, as these nocturnal insects also eat common garden pests like ants, slugs, and maggots.
Other species even get hungry for seeds of invasive weeds like thistle. Given their choice of shelter, make sure to scatter rocks and logs to attract them.
Wasps
Their stings are, however, deadly for small insects, and they’re considered apex predators who feed on common garden pests. They also help pollinate the garden, which is key for a healthy ecosystem.
Another thing to know about these winged creatures is their love for sugary things, which is why they tend to wander inside your home.
To keep them out, this guide by HomeServe suggests covering trash cans, food containers, and cleaning up scraps. This ensures that they stay outdoors, where they can focus on hunting down pests.
Spiders
Some spiders are harmless arachnids overall, despite their scary spindly legs. They can maintain ecological balance by eating flying insects that come their way.
Japanese Beetles
Thought Co. adds that their populations increase during warm weather which spells bad news for your plants as they can completely obliterate them.
Small holes in your crops are telltale signs of a cabbage looper infestation. If you maintain cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, you definitely want to get rid of these chunky bugs.
The good news is that you can remove them safely by hand, and without the use of harmful pesticides.
Aphids
Fallen leaves, distorted plant growth, and mold growth are signs of an aphid infestation.
Scale Insects
The Spruce points out that they may be difficult to identify because their appearance varies in color, size, and shape. However, they’re usually rounded and look like fungal growth.
They are also difficult to remove, especially in their adult stage. It’s best to spray them with pesticide during their “crawler stage.”
Slugs
Their slimy trail attracts other slugs, which means an infestation can quickly occur. Lastly, slugs are disease carriers that can infect pets and humans alike.
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