Time to read: 2 mins
Not all bugs are bad bugs when it comes to your garden – especially the fruit, vegetables and herbs you have invested so much time into growing.
From spiders to aphids, mealybugs to snails, it can often feel like dealing with one pest outbreak before the onslaught of another.
While habit may have you reaching for the pest sprays, there are many ways to void exposing your plants, soil, and health to toxic chemicals.
Gardeners are looking more and more to nature to manage their green space in gentle and more eco-friendly ways – including fighting off bugs with more bugs!
There are now several online business that specialise in the sale and delivery of eggs, juvenile and mature bugs to release into gardens to tackle outbreaks of damage causing bugs such as aphids and mealybugs.
Out of curiosity we looked into the best bugs to fight the biggest garden pests – and this is what we discovered.
Ladybug/Ladybird
The humble ladybug loves to devour aphids, whitefly, mites, fleas, and some beetles. They are attracted by dill, dandelions, and common yarrow.
Spiders
Spiders eat a huge range of pests including aphids, roaches, grasshoppers, mosquitoes, and fruit flies. All spider species are different but many are attracted by tall plants, mulch, or quiet corners to build their homes.
Praying Mantis
Praying mantis and its relatives consume caterpillars, moths, beetles, and crickets and are attracted by tall grasses, shrubs, marigold and dill.
Lacewings
These delicate looking insects actually eat a wide range of pests including aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, caterpillars, whitefly and mites. They are attracted by dill, coriander and dandelions.
There are many other natural garden warriors just waiting to be attracted to your garden to fight the good fight… you just need to know where to look.
