"If you plant things destined to get eaten, you will naturally encourage the next link in the food chain - BBC, 2024
Insects are usually the first thing gardeners wish to get rid of
Herbivorous insects are typically frowned upon because of their destruction of crops but what many fail to realize that when an ecosystem is balanced correctly, crops should never be left completely dead because of insects. Instead, insects are a good sign of a fertile garden and should welcome predators that will keep their populations in check.
Pollinators
"35% of the world's food crops depend on pollinators"
A growing trend is pollinator gardens that welcome pollinators like bees and butterflies. These gardens help the declining pollinator population and create a beautiful space full of flowers and insects. Supporting their populations is essential to human life as they are key to food production.
Climate change and the destruction of their natural habitats have been detrimental to the population of pollinators. By creating gardens with plants and flowers that promote their populations, we are also supporting the production of crops like apples, cherries, and tomatoes. There are many ways to create a pollinator-friendly garden without compromising your crop yield. Instead, of using chemical pesticides, gardeners are asked to use natural methods to deter pests away. It is also recommended to plant flowers or herbs like lavender to attract pollinators. By including this kind of plant in your garden, you not only attract pollinators but also add a defensive barrier between garden pests and your vegetables.
Honey Bees
Despite not being native to the US, honey bees are still a top pollinator and contribute to over $5 billion in agriculture productivity. In addition to pollinating your gardens, honey bees are also known for their....honey. Some gardeners have taken a step further and learned the basics of beekeeping in order to control the bee population and also cultivate their honey.
BUMBLE BEES
The native relative to honey bees is the bumble bee. Despite seeing this fuzzy bee in many gardens, over 25% of bumble bee species are decreasing. Many efforts have been, and continue to be made by organizations like the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Xerces Society.
The #LeaveTheLeaves project by the Xerces Society is a great way you can help bumble bee populations at home. This project invites garden owners to leave fallen leaves on the ground during autumn as they provide a home for bumble bees
BUTTERFLIES
Butterflies are another great pollinator to have in your garden and are a great way of maintaining a diverse ecosystem in your garden. Due to the decreasing amount of grasslands and prairies for these butterflies, their population is also dropping. You can help their populations by growing plants that their caterpillars can live from. For example, monarch butterflies have always been known for their bright orange wings and the long migration they make each year but these beautiful butterflies are struggling to find gardens they can call home. A simple way we can help these butterflies is by plating milkweed, a flowering plant that is necessary for monarch caterpillars.
GARDEN PESTs & natural pest control
When your garden is diverse, you can expect there to be a few pests that can be detrimental to your garden. An easy way to get rid of these pests is by spraying chemical pesticides in your garden but these also affect the bees. butterflies, and other insects that come around. While chemical pesticides are a quick solution, a better way to have a self-sufficient and biodiverse garden is by using natural pest control methods.
Some of the pest control methods with the least effect on other species are physical and biological controls. These methods include introducing plant and insect species that protect your garden from pests. Despite not being native, lady beetles and mantids are a great natural way of controlling the population of pests like aphids. In addition to insects, many plants are also revered for their ability to attract pests, redirecting them away from your fruits and vegetables. Plants like the fern-leaf yarrow and marigolds are often used by gardeners are a natural barrier in their gardens. Physical controls you can implement are the use of fences or other forms of covering your plants to prevent larger insects from reaching them.
Grasshoppers
Along with aphids, these insects are notorious for their destruction of crops. Although true, grasshoppers are a sign of a fertile garden and if other insects are welcomed to your garden, their population can remain controlled. Instead of chemical pesticides, consider some of the physical and biological controls mentioned earlier as a way of controlling these insects.
FLIES
Hover Flies, Bristle Flies, & More
the fly dichotomy
Flies play an interesting role in gardens. As adults, they are mainly seen as a pest - not only to the gardens but also to the gardeners themselves. But as larvae, they can be beneficial to your garden and are even mentioned in the Xerces Society's top 5 beneficial insects for your garden. When still in the larvae stage, flies are known to be hungry predators targeting small insects like aphids and mites.
Mantises
Mantises are a great natural pest controller, feeding on different kinds insects that can harm your plants. Mantises are known for preying on aphids, caterpillars, and beetles. Their predatory nature helps maintain ecological balance and reduces the need for chemical pesticides. By inviting mantises to their plants, gardeners can have a healthier and more sustainable garden. In addition, mantises can be fascinating creatures to observe in their natural habitat.
Lady Beetles
"Fun fact: The name 'lady beetle' originated in Europe during the Middle Ages - farmers named them 'beetle of Our Lady' in gratitude for saving their crops." - Xerces SOciety
Another invasive species to America, the lady beetle was introduced from Europe as a way of controlling agricultural pests and has now claimed home in many US gardens. Although it is a bug associated with love, this beetle is a ferocious garden predator who loves to eat aphids and smaller insects.
Spiders
Arachnids are another excellent way to control pest populations in your garden. Species like garden spiders can be found in your garden and their webs are a natural trap for insects like flies and mosquitoes.