Beneficial predatory insects are nature’s pest control experts. These helpful bugs feed on common garden pests, cutting their populations and protecting your plants from damage.
Sometimes, all you need to do is encourage the natural predators that already live in your yard. However, if your garden has a specific insect problem, you may want to take steps to increase the predator population.
You can attract beneficial insects with flowers or purchase and release them in your yard to control specific pests. Keep reading for more tips on how to buy and use predators.
Common Commercially Available Predatory Insects
Did you ever imagine yourself ordering a box of bugs? If you decide to control garden pests with predatory insects, you’ll be doing just that, then releasing them into your garden where they can work their magic.
There are hundreds of different types of beneficial predatory insects, but not all of them are available commercially. For best results, try to match the predator to the pest. Here are a few common pests and the predators that eat them:
- Aphids: Aphids are infamous for their rapid reproduction and damage, but you can keep them at bay with ladybugs, lacewings, and minute pirate bugs.
- Caterpillars: To stop caterpillars from eating your leaves, you can use praying mantises or parasitic wasps.
- Spider mites: Spider mites are another pest that can quickly decimate your plants. However, they meet their match in predatory mites and lacewings.
- Whiteflies: Whiteflies are small flying bugs that tend to congregate on the underside of leaves. You can manage them with whitefly parasites and minute pirate bugs.
- Fungus gnats: These pests are a common issue in overwatered environments. You can suppress them with specific gnat predators that feed on the larvae.
- Houseflies: These annoying flies are easily stopped by parasitic wasps.
- Underground pests: Pests under your garden or at ground level can include flea larvae, grubs, slugs, snails, and root weevils. You can control them with microscopic beneficial nematodes.
- Mosquitoes: Young praying mantises are known for eating these bloodsuckers.
Here’s a more exhaustive list of different garden pests and the right predators to control them.
| Insect Pest | Insect Predator |
|---|---|
| Aphids | Lacewing, Ladybug, Minute pirate bug, Praying mantis |
| Cabbage loopers | Parasitic wasp |
| Caterpillars | Minute pirate bug, Parasitic wasp |
| Cutworms | Parasitic wasp |
| Flea larvae | Beneficial nematode |
| Flies | Fly parasite |
| Fungus Gnats | Fungus gnat predator |
| Grasshoppers | Praying mantis |
| Grubs | Beneficial nematode |
| Leaf hoppers | Lacewing, Ladybug, Minute pirate bug |
| Leafminers | Leafminer parasite |
| Mealybugs | Lacewing, Ladybug |
| Mites | Lacewing, Ladybug, Minute pirate bug, Predatory mite |
| Mosquitoes | Praying mantis |
| Moths | Lacewing, Praying mantis |
| Root weevils | Beneficial nematode |
| Scale | Lacewing, Ladybug, Minute pirate bug |
| Slugs | Beneficial nematode |
| Snails | Beneficial nematode |
| Thrips | Lacewing, Minute pirate bug |
| Tomato hornworms | Parasitic wasp |
| Whiteflies | Minute pirate bug, Whitefly parasite |
Getting Started with Predatory Insects
Introducing beneficial insects to a garden takes some planning and preparation. The right approach can ensure that these beneficial allies are both effective and thriving.
Diagnosing the Problem
Before you purchase predators, it’s essential to accurately identify the pest-causing issues. Look closely at your plants for signs of pest activity, such as discolored leaves, visible insects, or webbing. You may need to use magnification tools, your own observation records, or pest identification guides to find the specific pest at issue.
Ordering Predator Insects
Once you’ve identified the pest, order the right predatory insects from a reputable supplier. Consider factors such as local climate, current garden conditions, and the potential impact of introducing a non-native species to your community. A reputable supplier will offer plenty of guidance before you commit to a purchase.
When you’re ready to order, only buy what you need. The right quantity of predators will be effective against your pests without overloading the local ecosystem.
Releasing Insects
When the predatory insects arrive, follow the supplier’s instructions for release. Some species ship as adults, while others come to your door as eggs, larvae, or pupae.
Generally, it’s best to release the insects in small batches during the early morning or late evening, right after you’ve watered your garden. Temperatures at these times tend to be cooler, and the insects are less likely to feel stressed.
Protecting Your Investment
Give the good bugs you’ve released a chance to do their jobs. Keep your garden watered and free of chemical pesticides. Don’t rake up every fallen leaf, and leave a bit of litter for shelter and egg-laying.
You should also try to keep something blooming in your garden for pollen and nectar. Native wildflowers, flowering herbs, and flowering shrubs can all help attract beneficial insects and keep them around.
Most importantly, know that this isn’t an overnight process. You may see a few subtle reductions in the pest population at first, but over the next few seasons, natural predator-prey relationships will fully develop.
Maintaining a Balanced Ecosystem
Once you’ve introduced predator insects to your garden, you’ll need to keep a balanced ecosystem for long-term success. Regularly observe your garden for signs of pest damage and predator activity.
As time goes on, you may need to adapt your gardening practices to support the beneficial insects. Consider changing your watering habits to provide consistent moisture, modifying your pruning techniques to preserve the predators’ habitats, or selecting different plants to accommodate their preferences.
