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Beneficial Bugs  |
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 Knowing which bugs actually help your garden grow and how to make them comfortable in your garden is part of getting them to work for you. Understanding their roles in the bug world is also important and often over looked, so before you squash that beetle under your foot, take a minute to review the benefits of bugs in the garden.
Bugs typically fall into one of three categories.
1. Predators. They feed on bugs that are considered pests, in some cases quite heavily.
2. Parasitic. These bugs lay their eggs in or on their intended victim. The maturing larvae eventually feed on the host eliminating pesky insects in the process.
3. Pollinators. The most common are bees that help flowers and fruit bearing plants thrive. Whatever their role, the bugs will take on many different characteristics and have special needs.
A common beneficial bug is the ladybug. Thought to bring good luck, the ladybug is a fierce predator that kills aphids, thrips, tree lice and countless other larvae. Easily released into the garden, they go to work immediately. Other good bugs include the praying mantis and the ground beetle, which are both predators.
In an effort to attract good bugs to the garden, some gardeners will mail-order live shipments so the critters can be released in the garden. However, chances are you already have a good number of bugs who already call your garden home. As a rule, pollen and nectar producing plants, especially perennials, will attract the most bugs, as they offer shelter and food in the same place. Water sources in the garden will also attract good bugs during times of dry weather.
While insects will certainly help you fight the battle against some destructive bugs, they are only part of the solution. Limited spraying with insecticides will help eliminate the bug problem all together.
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