Harmful insects in the garden are always a nuisance, but organic gardeners have a wide range of natural pest control methods to choose from.  It may seem strange, but one way to control damaging insects is to bring in more insects.  This is because certain beneficial species will prey on harmful species, eating them in great quantities and keeping the population of pests down to a manageable level.  Here are some tips for using beneficial insects for pest control.

The best type of beneficial insects are those that are native to the area.  Your first step should be to encourage these helpful bugs to take up residence in your landscape.  You can do this by creating the environment they like, which means providing them with food, water, and shelter.

Begin by planting things that appeal to beneficial insects.  They are attracted to flowers that have abundant supplies of nectar and pollen.  Dill, carrots, calendulas, zinnias, sunflowers, basil, thyme, sage, asters, yarrow, marigolds, parsley, and artemisia are a few of the cultivars that can be used.  Flowers that attract butterflies will also bring in the beneficial insects.  Many species prey on harmful insects only during the larvae or immature stage.  The adult beneficial need food from plants to keep them happy.

The easiest way to provide water is to place a birdbath in the yard.  Even better, get two birdbaths.  Put one among the flowers, where insects congregate.  Pile some stones in it so that tiny creatures can drink water without falling in.  Then place the second birdbath out in the open for birds to enjoy.

For shelter, your landscape needs a variety of shrubs, perennials, wildflowers, and other permanent plantings.  These will provide a stable home base for beneficial insects, year after year.

A number of beneficial insects are available commercially, including aphid midges, braconid wasps, lacewings, ladybugs, mealybug destroyers, minute pirate bugs, and predatory mites, to name a few.  You can buy selected varieties from nurseries and garden centers during the spring and summer.  You can also order insects directly from a supplier.  Choose insects that are appropriate for your location and will have the best chance of survival.

When you get the insects, follow the directions for storing and releasing them carefully.  The last thing you want is for them to die prematurely or to fly away the moment they are released in the garden.  One way to encourage beneficial to stick around is to wet the pest-infested plants and release the insects in the evening.  This gives the thirsty bugs an immediate source of water.  With any luck, they will settle in overnight and then begin eating the pests.

At first the idea of inviting more bugs into your garden may seem odd.  However, beneficial insects are a natural and environmentally friendly method of pest control.  It’s a good idea to encourage friendly bugs to make a permanent home in your yard.  They will spend their days doing a great job of destroying harmful pests.  Best of all, you will enjoy a garden free of toxic pesticides.