Cathy Isom tells you about a few of the bugs and pests that you do want hanging around your garden or farm. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
When it comes to our gardens or farms, its normal to want to protect our plants from predatory pests. But not all insects are bad. So it’s important to attract the right kind of insects, including ones that specialize in pollinating plants, while controlling the destructive ones.
Green Lacewings, for example, are great for feeding on pollen and nectar, and also love aphids.
Praying Mantis. They camouflage well in the plants and can handle bigger bugs.
Ladybugs have alligator-like larvae that eat their weight in aphids, and the adult ladybugs devour pests.
Assassin bugs and ground beetles are excellent hard workers, too.
Black Soldier Flies are great for composting and also deterring more problematic types of flies.
Butterflies are a blessing to any garden or farm. Not just for their bountiful colors, but because Caterpillars eat specific plants. Some butterflies can supply the right food for them.
And last but certainly not least, bees, are a must-have for having successful pollination of your gardens or farms.
I’m Cathy Isom…