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The Importance of Insects to your Garden Ecosystem

March 20, 2021 by Susan Paige Leave a Comment

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Unknown to most people, insects contribute to a steady supply of food and a cleaner environment. From close to 1.5 million diverse species, they play a great role in pollination, decomposing waste products, and as predators. This is vital in upholding the ecosystem and making the world more habitable. 

Still, bugs compete with mankind for fiber, food, and natural resources. In some instances, insects feed on wooden structures, stored grains, and natural fibers. Safe for butterflies and bees, have you ever heard of other beneficial insects? In this topic, we will elaborate on some useful and harmful bugs. Equally, we will guide on quick tips to eradicate them.

Ladybugs

A beautiful name and appeal say little about this vicious insect predator. Although they start as unsightly larvae, adult ladybugs become the gardener’s best friend by eating whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs. It is important to note that a single lady beetle can consume more than 40 aphids in an hour. Furthermore, the appealing bugs in their spotted bright colors are a sight to behold in the garden.

Green Lacewings

Named from their striking green wings, Lacewings prey on garden pests like mites, aphids, scales, and mealybugs in the larva stage. As adults, they feed on pollen and nectar. While some Lacewings feed on selected insects others consume their hatching siblings when hungry.

Praying Mantises

Known for their ruthless attacks, praying mantises feed on flies, grasshoppers, moths, and others. Sometimes, they eat other useful insects such as hummingbirds and butterflies. In their ferocious nature, at times they attack and feed on their own.

Spiders

Although spiders fall under the arachnid category, their benefits get overlooked. Still, they make very helpful pet controllers. Given that they cannot fly, spiders get nourishment from live insects. The most effective pest control species are the wolf and jumping spiders.

Flies

While most flies feed on pollen and nectar, others thrive by capturing bugs. In almost all species, the larvae get their food supply from garden pests. It is worth noting that not all flies have a negative reputation for unhygienic traits and painful bites. In reality, some like the flower and syrphid flies contribute to the pollination process. 

On the other hand, unsanitary species like house flies, deer, and horse flies lay eggs on waste products and animal feces. Through bio waste management, fly larvae make ideal and nutritious poultry food. Bear in mind that species like the Tachinidae are parasites. Here, the adult flies lay eggs inside their target host. Later, the larvae eat up the host insect internally, eventually leading to death.

Wasp

Similar to bees, wasps live in colonies and easily attack when confronted. Nevertheless, they aid in pollination and prey on spiders and other insects for their larvae. Common wasp species include hornets, paper wasps, and yellow jackets. Some species paralyze a host insect or caterpillar with venom and lay eggs on the powerless prey. The immobilized victim becomes ready food for the hatching larvae.

Harmful Pest Insects and How to Eradicate Them

Of all insects’ species, nearly 97% of them are beneficial to the environment. That leaves a meager 3% of bugs detrimental to the surrounding. Here are some of the most damaging insects recorded.

Tomato Hornworms

These are big-sized caterpillars with a horn resembling a tail. Mostly, they attack the tomato plant and chew holes in the leaves and fruit. While physical removal is an efficient way to eradicate hornworms, consult an expert for a fast and lasting solution.

Stink Bugs

Stink bugs do not bite or spoil structures but their unpleasant smell is a put-off. Furthermore, they destroy plants and pose a great risk to the farming industry. Common home-based tips on eradicating stink bugs include using ammonia, bleach, or alcohol. All in all, reliable rodent removal services are vital in a long-lasting purge.

Mosquitoes

These are the world’s deadliest insects known for transmitting yellow fever, malaria, and other life-threatening ailments. Note that not all mosquitoes spread germs. Quick ways to eliminate mosquitoes include using garlic, lavender oil, neem plant, camphor oil, lemon, cloves, and Tulsi. In addition, grow naturally repelling mosquito plants around the garden.

Aphids

Not only do aphids suck out nutrients from plants, but they also create a substance that magnetizes ants. This leads to a more complicated scenario of controlling two harmful pests while salvaging the plants. An ideal aphid eradication method should target the pests without harming the plants. For instance, you can mix a few drops of dishwashing soap with water. Then, wipe or spray onto the affected plant.

Termites

Famous for destroying homes and yards, they also use the garden as the pathway to the houses. Boric acid is a sure bet when it comes to termites eradication. Most successful insecticide companies use it as a main ingredient. With its capability to dehydrate the insect, it slowly shuts down the nervous system to death.

Although simple DIY eradication tips help, hiring a reliable control expert is the long-lasting solution. This helps in proper pest identification and guidance you on how to protect your lawns and gardens from future invasions.

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