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The Best Guide to the Top 4 Beneficial Insects
Beneficial Insects Make Gardens Great
What Are Beneficial Insects
Beneficial insects are any of a number of species of insects that perform valued services like pollination and pest control. The concept of beneficial is subjective and only arises in light of desired outcomes from a human perspective. In this article, we discuss 4 different species that are the best for pest population control. Each species is heavily used in many types of farm and gardening practices around the world most notably the use of ladybugs in North America. Find out which pests they hunt and what plants to provide our garden vigilantes.
Passive Prevention Life Hack
Beneficial insects can also be a very time savvy move on your part when you don't have time to deal with any plant deficiencies and need a quick fix for your outdoor garden. These insects combined with a living soil will help you not worry about future work saving your plants. To help retain water I would add a little bit of rice hull to your soil during outdoor transplant. This will also help save your own personal time.
Tachanid Flies
Pests Controlled In Your Garden
- Caterpillars
- Cabbage Loopers
- Stink Bugs
- Cabbage Bugs
- Beetles
Companion Plants For These Beneficial Insects
- Parsley
- Tansy
- Pennyroyal
- Buckwheat
Parsely grown as a companion plant holds in nitrogen from the soil and slowly recycles it back in making for a proper living biome.
Parasitic Wasp
Pests Controlled In Your Garden
- Moth
- Beetle
- Fly Larvae
- Eggs
- Caterpillars
As a gardener help dimish these pest insects with diatomaceous earth and other soil amendments to help your parasitic wasps control your pest population. They will eventually leave after they have cleaned house in your garden.
Companion Plants For These Beneficial Insects
- Dill
- Yarrow
- Tansy
- Queen Anne's Lace
- Parsley
Ladybugs
Pests Controlled In Your Garden
- Aphids
Aphids are rampant in commercial cannabis and major agriculture. Ladybugs are in extremely high demand because of their aphid eliminating skills.
Companion Plants For These Beneficial Insects
- Dandelion
- Angelica
- Dill
- Yarrow
Ladybugs have a revered history in agriculture and have been a go-to for many pervasive pest problems as the number one choice for indoor and outdoor agriculture when using beneficial insects.
Hoverflies
Pests Controlled In Your Garden
- Mealybugs
- Fungus Gnats
- Aphids
Companion Plants For These Beneficial Insects
- Dill
- Yarrow
- Tansy
- Queen Anne's Lace
- Parsley
- Marigolds
Organic Neem Bliss 100% Pure Cold Pressed Neem Seed Oil - (16 oz) High Azadirachtin Content - for Indoor and Outdoor Plant Spray - Plant Care, Pet Care, Skin Ca
At Home Remedy
Commercial Gardening stores carry Neem Oil which is all natural and extremely effective. If you can't find any beneficial insects to apply you can try this.
- 1 part water
- 1 part dish soap
- 3ml neem oil
Mix well and apply as a foliar spray. This will engulf the invasive insect's body (they breathe through their skin) and it should take care of them in minutes. The dish soap helps with the insect's removal by making them too slick to hang onto the plant.
