Beneficial Insects

updated Feb 20, 2009 by Nick Thorp

While there are many insects that can cause great harm to your garden and great stress for you the gardener there are also a wide variety of beneficial insects that can help to control pest infestations. Also known as biological controls, these insects are natural predators of many pest insects. They help reinstate a balance in your garden by simply going about their lives, feeding on prey. Different beneficial insects have different prey so be sure to correctly identify pests before making efforts to introduce beneficial insects to control the problem. It also important to refer to the "action threshold" section of the pest fact sheets to determine when you actually have a problem that needs attention.

In order to accomplish long term populations of beneficial insects in your yard and garden plant choice is key. Just as different beneficial insects have different prey, they are also attracted by different plants. Taking that into consideration when designing a garden or introducing new plants will provide natural, biological pest control for years to come.

"Farmer" Fred Hoffman's Beneficial Insect Guide
An excellent resource/guide on what plants and flowers will attract certain beneficial insects to your garden. Visit the guide today to plan your next design with pest control in mind.

Visit our database of beneficial insect distributors
Several beneficial insects are available for purchase from a variety of online distributors. Many nurseries and garden stores sell beneficial insects during the summer months when pest infestations are highest. Inquire at your local nursery.

Beneficial Insect Fact Sheets

While there are many insects that can cause great harm to your garden and great stress for you the gardener there are also a wide variety of beneficial insects that can help to control pest infestations.  Also known as biological controls, these insects are natural predators of many pest insects.  They help reinstate a balance in your garden by simply going about their lives, feeding on prey.  Different beneficial insects have different prey so be sure to correctly identify pests before making efforts to introduce beneficial insects to control the problem.  It also important to refer to the "*action threshold*" section of the pest fact sheets to determine when you actually have a problem that needs attention.  

In order to accomplish long term populations of beneficial insects in your yard and garden plant choice is key.  Just as different beneficial insects have different prey, they are also attracted by different plants.  Taking that into consideration when designing a garden or introducing new plants will provide natural, biological pest control for years to come.  
* ["Farmer" Fred Hoffman's Beneficial Insect Guide|http://homepage.mac.com/fredandjeannehoffman/.Public/plants.beneficials.pdf]
An excellent resource/guide on what plants and flowers will attract certain beneficial insects to your garden.  Visit the guide today to plan your next design with pest control in mind.  

* Visit our [database of beneficial insect distributors|Beneficial Insect Distributors]
Several beneficial insects are available for purchase from a variety of online distributors.  Many nurseries and garden stores sell beneficial insects during the summer months when pest infestations are highest.  Inquire at your local nursery.
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h3.*Beneficial Insect Fact Sheets*
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* [Lady Beetles]\\
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* [Parasitic Wasps]\\
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* [Minute Pirate Bugs]\\
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* [Parasitic Nematodes]\\
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* [Green Lacewings]\\
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* [Predaceous Ground Beetles]\\
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* [Hoverflies]\\
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* [Rove Beetle]\\
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* [Soldier Beetle]\\
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* [Assassin Bug]\\
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* [Garden Spider]\\
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* [Predatory Mite]\\
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Beneficial Insects

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