 | Neighbors look forward to my garden every year, not only to watch the floral show, but to see me run around screaming with my hands flailing in the air whenever I see a bee. On occasion I also let out shrills that are of horror-movie quality when I see a spider or slug. But when neighbors come over with tips on how to get rid of these “pests” I nod my head, thank them, and say the bugs are no trouble at all. Now neighbors may think I’m trying to save face, but the truth is that they may creep me out, but bees, spiders and certain other bugs are beneficial to the garden which is why I don’t pulverize them with my shoes.
There is a chain of command in the insect world called the food chain (not to be confused with the food pyramid.) There are bugs in your garden that eat plants and then there are bugs that eat the bugs that eat the plants. Of course the insect food chain is not as appetizing or glamorous as the human food chain, but gardeners will be thrilled to learn that there are Garden Gladiators that, without fail, conquer pesky plant eaters.
The Praying Mantis
I don’t scream in the presence of a mantis, but I do weep internally. They really have creepy characteristics: it can turn its neck to look at you, the eyes are larger than any insects should be, and it not only has a villainous walk, but it can fly. This insect must’ve fallen off some space ship because it seems unearthly to me. Despite that, it is true that the praying mantis is better than any insecticide you can buy. While the female lays 200 successful eggs per seasons, these are territorial insects, so a larger garden may have only two or three. They remain hidden, though you may see them lounging in the sun from time to time. These insects are non-stop eaters and consumer aphids, caterpillars, larvae, beetles, butterflies, spiders, leafhoppers, crickets and, oh yes, other mantis.
Now, when you add a praying mantis, make sure this fits in with your garden theme. What I mean by that is, if you have a butterfly theme garden and add a praying mantis to control a beetle problem, you may ask yourself one day, where have all the butterflies gone? I’ll tell you where they are—the mantis ate them. So, keep that in mind when using a mantis.
Wasps and Bees
As you may have guessed wasps and bees are two hot shots in the insect kingdom. That is why, when I see those nasty bugs coming my way I run and I scream to avoid the big sting, but I don’t swat or spray. Wasps and bees are beneficial to the garden because they feast on insects such as larvae and aphids that eat plants in the garden and of course because they pollinate which has been known to be of some benefit.
Worms
If you drive that shovel through the ground and come up with an earthworm, don’t gag, bur rather thank your lucky stars—and consider adding more. Yes, they’re squirming and gross, but you can never have enough earth worms. Though you may not see them they are “behind the scenes” constantly working to improve conditions for your plants. Earthworms contribute nitrogen to the soil through their waste, decompose dead material, and aerate the soil. If the leaves of your plants are turning yellow and drooping, you may have a nitrogen deficiency. Try adding earthworms to the soil. Be sure to put them under the soil at night so the birds do not get a free meal.
Lady bugs
These bugs are so cute that we goo-goo and gaga when we see little babies dressed up in lady bug costumes for Halloween. Do you know what does not think a lady bug is cute? An aphid (plant lice.) The only time a gardener wants to see an aphid is when it in the form a fossil in one of your rocks. Why? Because aphids can annihilate your plants. Fortunately, lady bugs eat them while also munching on leaf miners (those tunnel diggers in leaves) and spider mites.
Spiders
Nothing freaks me out like a fat bodied spider. But spiders are in your garden not to eat your plants, but rather to eat other insects among your plants—and to freak you out. While these eight legged friends eat both good and bad garden insects, they feast mostly on beetles and flies.
Ground beetles
Like spiders, ground beetles do a lot of good in the garden by eating smaller insects such as aphids and slugs. Spiders, lady bugs and ground beetles are the three beneficial garden bugs you’ll see the most a garden.
Centipedes
Centipedes and millipedes are fast moving (with all those legs there is no excuse not to be) insects that feast on all sorts of bugs (even the good ones) as well as decaying matter. Yes, it can be horrific if you see more than one running your way but resist the urge to stomp—they are do gooders.
Butterflies
Some adult butterflies eat the fluids of aphids.
Lace Wings
If you see small, thin, green bugs with transparent green wings, you have lace wings which eat beetle larvae, spider mites, aphids and white flies and are upstanding members of your garden community. Their larvae are left on silky petals and are gray and brown with pincers.
Birds
Okay, they are not insects, but birds are great flying friends to have hanging around. When they’re not feasting on free seed, birds eat hundreds, yes hundreds of insects and larvae per day.
Wow, you just learned about 10 bugs that are beneficial to your garden. Yes, they may be scary like a spider, or sting like a bee, but they protect the garden with their voracious appetites, and in turn keep gardeners from buying insecticides that ultimately run into natural water sources and harm the environment. So, the next time you see a mantis or millipede, just breathe, relax, and walk way (or run and scream the choice is yours.) The point is, they are good, they are all good.
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