Gardening can be a rewarding hobby. Whether you want to grow your own produce or plant a few petunias, plants can enrich your property. However, they can also invite a few pests to your home in Northeast, Pennsylvania. It can be difficult to keep those plants alive and well if they are being nibbled on by aphids. Don’t worry; while plenty of garden-killing insects exist, there are other beneficial insects that can help you keep your plants green and growing.
Why would I want to bring all the bugs to the yard?
Put quite simply, not all bugs are out to destroy your garden. In fact, inviting beneficial insects to your yard can help your plants thrive and encourage better growth year after year. Bees can pollinate your flowers, beetles can help enrich the soil, and ladybugs can make adept pest-killers.
Having a mix of good bugs can ensure your garden’s survival, but you have to entice them to come around first. Here are seven ways you can help bring good bugs to your garden and keep them there.
1. Know your bugs.
Before you lay out the welcome mat, it’s good to be mindful of which buys you are inviting to your garden. Certain insects have short lifespans and will perish fast, and not all bugs thrive at the same time of year or on the same food.
Keep track of the pests and what they are doing. Also, what does your garden need that bugs may be able to fix? Do you need pest control, soil enrichment, or pollination? Once you figure out what you need, you can start inviting the right bugs.
2. Keep things wet.
Much like your plants, bugs need a wet environment to thrive. While you don’t want to overwater the area, you want to provide a comfortable middle ground. Most insects aren’t a fan of dust, and if the soil and dry and dead, it’s not an incentive to come to your garden.
Plus, it’s probably not helping your flowers or plants either. Don’t let your soil dry out, but don’t try to overwater. This could flood out your plants and bring the wrong bugs to your yard, like gnats or mosquitoes. Try and keep a happy medium.
3. Mix it up with mulch.
An easy way to boost the life of your garden is by adding mulch. It can act as a deterrent to bad bugs and attract the ones you want. Mulching can encourage predators, like spiders, to come and they can take care of any unwanted insects in your flower beds. And it will give any ground-dwelling insects the extra cover they’re looking for.
Additionally, mulch will help trap moisture keeping the soil from drying out.
4. Don’t get rid of the weeds.
Bare ground is bad in general, for your yard and bugs. Dry landscapes can be hard to cultivate, and it can be like open season for certain insects. So, that may mean letting a few weeds have their glory. Weeds, believe it or not, can lure good insects to your yard. The more diverse the growth in your garden, the better. Speaking of growth…
5. Variety is the spice of life.
Growing certain plants can attract good bugs. Mint, daisies, and marigolds are great options, but the best way to approach plant growth is with variety. Plant multiple types to ensure you have a diversity to attract pollinating insects like butterflies and other good bugs.
Don’t just stick with flowers, either. Bushes, trees, and grasses are great too! Try to mix in some native plants to really encourage plenty of good bugs.
6. Careful with the pesticides
Pesticides aren’t the best choice if you want to encourage good bugs. Pesticides aren’t selective in which insects they kill; they usually do a clean sweep. If you need to treat outbreaks or heavy infestations, be mindful of which chemicals you choose. The last thing you want to do is kill any beneficial bugs.
If you can avoid using them, it can save against any long-term damage they may cause.
7. Home, Sweet Home
The best way to bring good bugs to your yard is by giving them a place to live. Whether you want to supply mulch, bee homes, or even insect houses, it’s a sure way to make sure they are near your garden for the long haul. Additionally, these bug houses can provide homes for overwintering pests and keep them out of your home.
A bug home is a good way to build a long-term relationship with your new gardening partners.
A garden is only as good as its protectors. If you want your flowers or plants to bloom, you’re going to need a little help from nature. Why not take advantage of creatures and reach a mutual benefit? Of course, if you have too many unwanted insects you may want to consult a pest control expert. Until then, nature’s pest control can be just what you’re looking for.