7 Ways to Attract Beneficial Insects & Animals to the Garden

An important part of creating a healthy and organic garden space is supporting a well-balanced ecosystem. That cannot be done with the use of pesticides and other biocides because, by design, they create an imbalance.

There are insects and small animals that feed on unwelcome garden visitors such as aphids and slugs, so if there are no aphids or slugs via an unnatural pest control, those predators will not come. There is nothing for them to eat. Once they leave, this leaves the door open for aphids and slugs to walk in.

The objective therefore, as much as it may be to beat some insects and animals, is to attract the the benefits. Our gardens should be full of helpful insects such as pollinators (bees and butterflies), predators (praying mantises and ladybirds), and parasitizers (braconid wasps and tachinid flies).

We should also invite other predatory guests such as snakes, frogs and lizards. So, how to do it?

Plant lots of dill and parsley

Many beneficial insects love dill and other flowering plants of the carrot family. It’s great to plant herbs like dill and parsley intermittently throughout the garden to attract them. Similar plants to attract things like ladybugs, green lacewings, hoverflies and ladybug destroyers (What great names!) are fennel, legumes, mustard and verbena.

Early flowering perennials

Where there are flowers, bugs are often attracted. Early flowering perennial flowers provide beautiful flashes of color which invite pollinators from the start, and also provide a protective shelter for predatory insects such as ground beetles and spined soldier bugs. These help to maintain more destructive insect populations (in terms of vegetables).

Let tall grass and weeds grow

Not all lawns should be cut to the ground, right? They allow some stretches of grasses and wild flowers that have to be the perfect habitat for praying mantis and spiders, great predators of insects. It is also a place for garter snakes and other such animals to find respite from birds of prey.

Lower the pesticides and be patient

Hopefully chemical pesticides aren’t in the mix yet, but organic pesticides may be disturb the balance of the ecosystem as well. Stopping the use of pesticides will lead to pendulum swings in pests versus predators, but it will make the system healthier because it is more diverse in general. This way everyone and everything comes to eat.

Provide water

Every animal and plant needs water, so it is very attractive when a landscape includes a water feature. Sometimes, this can be as little as having a bird bath or a fountain, but going through a garden pond it’s even better. It will provide drinking water for all insects and animals, and will be a useful habitat for garden companions such as frogs and toads.

Apply thick mulch

Mulch is a great idea in the garden for many reasons. It keeps the soil moist, moderates the temperature, prevents erosion, and adds fertility. A thick layer of mulch is also perfect for beneficial insects and animals to make comfortable homes in the garden. They can always find a comfortable and safe place to rest, and there will always be plenty of food. All is well in the garden!

Build compost piles and other piles

It is not a big secret that insects and animals of all kinds like to find a good pile of something. Compost piles are full of microorganisms and animals that do the work of decomposition. But, even a pile of rocks can attract a lot of animals, like a good pile of wood somewhere. Make piles in and around the garden so that beneficial animals can find their way to them.

Of course, beneficial animals and insects will be attracted to the garden for the simple fact that it is also a garden. This is where the action is. So, growing a nice full vegetable patch is the best place to start.

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