Organic gardeners want to control insect pests in way that is not harmful to the environment.  Spraying poisonous chemicals on infested plants is simply not an option they are happy with.  Instead, they use natural pest control methods such as increasing the number of beneficial insects in the garden.  Beneficial insects will eat the harmful bugs and over a period of time a healthy balance will be achieved.  Here are some of the most common beneficial insects you may find in the garden.

The aphid midge resembles a very small, delicate wasp. In the larvae or caterpillar stage it gorges on more than sixty species of aphids.  This beneficial insect is found naturally throughout North America and is also available commercially from nurseries and garden supply companies.

Minute pirate bugs prey on thrips, spider mites, small caterpillars, immature leafhoppers, and insect eggs.  Adults have a distinctive black and white pattern on the back. They occur naturally throughout North America and are also sold commercially.

Ladybugs are not only pretty to look at, they are very helpful in the garden.  Both larvae and adults consume harmful aphids, scales, mealybugs, and other small insects.  Ladybugs are at home just about anywhere in the world.  They are often sold commercially.

One of the most effective beneficials that is sold commercially is the lacewing.  As the name suggests, these insects have large, delicate-looking wings and measure 1/2 to 3/4 inch long.  Larvae prey on aphids, mealybugs, and many other small soft insects.  They are found naturally throughout North America.

Although some species of nematodes are categorized as pests, parasitic nematodes are beneficial in the garden.  These worm-like creatures, many of them tiny or microscopic, attack soil-dwelling insects such as fleas, corn rootworms, crown borers, root weevils, and grubs of many beetle species.  Found throughout North America, parasitic nematodes occur naturally in moist soils and are frequently sold by nurseries as well.

Assassin bugs are a predator of many common insect pests, including flies and caterpillars.  Common throughout North America, they can be found naturally in most gardens.

As adults, braconid wasps feed on nectar.  But in the immature stages they prey on aphids, armyworms, cabbageworms, codling moths, corn borers, elm bark beetles, hornworms, and some flies.  These insects are native throughout North America and are widely available commercially.

Ground or carabid beetles are predators in both their adult and larvae stages.  They eat cabbageworms, cutworms, slugs, snails, and most ground insects.  Native throughout North America, they are found naturally in most gardens.  Provide shelter for these beneficial insects by planting ground covers or placing stones near the garden for them to crawl under.

If you want to attract more beneficial insects to the garden, you can’t go wrong by growing a variety of flowering plants.  Nectar-rich cultivars such as dill, goldenrod, daisies, parsley, yarrow, and alfalfa provide food for the adults while the larvae feast on harmful pests.  You will also need to provide insects with a convenient source of water.  Putting a simple birdbath in the flower bed will fulfill this requirement.

Find a good book with diagrams or photographs to help you identify different insects.  You may be surprised at how many creepy-crawlies are actually friendly bugs that you want around.  Some beneficial insects are almost invisible to a casual observer.  But you will know they are doing their job when you notice an absence of harmful pests and a garden full of thriving plants, vegetables, and flowers.