- Zone
- 7b/8a
When we see a bug in the garden, our first instinct is usually to reach for the spray or the "squish" finger. But before you do that, make sure you aren't killing your best workers! Here are a few "Garden Heroes" that we want to keep around:
The Goal: Instead of spraying, try to create a "haven" for these guys. I’ve found that planting a few flowers like marigolds near my veggies brings these heroes right to the front lines.
What insects are y'all happy to see in your gardens?
- Ladybugs (The Aphid Assassins) Everyone knows the adults, but make sure you learn what the larvae look like! They look like tiny black and orange alligators. If you see them, leave them alone. They eat way more aphids than the adults do
- Lacewings These look like delicate, bright green flies with clear wings. Their larvae are also nicknamed "aphid lions" because they are relentless hunters.
- Praying Mantis The kings of the garden. They’ll eat just about anything that moves, including grasshoppers that want to shred your leaves.
- Hoverflies These look like tiny bees or wasps, but they don't sting. They hover over flowers like little helicopters. The adults are great pollinators, and the larvae eat soft-bodied pests.
The Goal: Instead of spraying, try to create a "haven" for these guys. I’ve found that planting a few flowers like marigolds near my veggies brings these heroes right to the front lines.
What insects are y'all happy to see in your gardens?