Beneficial bugs

If there's one thing I know about it's bugs...I keep and eye on them and chase them around all day long....hi, my name is CC and I'm a domestic cat. I want to tell you about insects for the garden.

There are three kinds of beneficial insects and they are classified by their "lifestyle" so to speak - predators, parasitoids and pollinators.
Predators eat other insects while parasitoids use pest insects as hosts for their eggs and larvae.

The pollinators facilitate pollination so plants can produce fruits and vegetables.
An insectary will provide food and habitat for all three types of beneficials.
Even the predatory insects will find nourishment.
Don't be intimidated by Janice's big word, planting an insectary is simple.
First, choose a sunny spot in the garden.
Janice created a 3 foot x 12 foot strip at the back of the garden where she removed her composting bins.
You can modify the size to suit your space.
You can plant several small insectaries around the garden or these plants will grow in containers, too.
Site the plants close to vegetable gardens, roses or other plants that will benefit from the insect helpers.
As with any garden, the secret to success is the soil.
Remove existing sod and vegetation.
Turn the soil to a depth of 18-inches and add amendments such as compost, sand and organic fertilizers as needed.
Rake the soil to make a smooth surface.
Once the bed is ready you can sow seeds, plant seedlings or potted plants.
When it comes to plant selection choose both flowering and foliage plants so the area will be inviting from spring through fall.
Provide plants of varying heights, the short plants offer cover and the taller ones will be visible and attractive to the insects from a distance.
I was surprised to learn that bugs have a flower preference.
They are especially fond of umbel-shaped blooms such as Queen Anne's Lace and dill along with composite shaped blooms such as zinnias or sunflowers.
Treat your insectary as you would any newly planted garden, but avoid pesticides and only use organic fertilizer.
Give the plants consistent moisture.

Be patient. Even though a colony of aphids, cutworms or mealy bugs often seem to appear overnight, it takes time to build up an army of beneficial insects. It's important to get ahead of the curve by starting your insectary in spring.
To further speed the process along you can order beneficials from companies such as Gardens Alive or GreenMethods.com.
Handle and release them according to the directions provided by the source.
I don't recommend importing bugs though---those darn lady bugs kept me so busy last year I barely had time to enjoy my catnip.
Whether you plant an acre-sized insectary or just a few containers, creating a welcoming habitat for beneficials is just good sense. Once you get the garden in place Mother Nature will handle the rest.

BENEFICIALS, THEIR PREY & FAVORITE PLANTS
BeneficialHelps CombatPlants They Like
Lacewings Aphids Cilantro, Cosmos, Dandelion, Dill, Fennel, Queen Anne's Lace, Tansy, Yarrow

Ladybugs Aphids Ajuga, Buckwheat, Butterfly Weed, Cilantro, Dandelion, Dill, Fennel, Marigold, Queen Anne's Lace, Veronica, Yarrow

Hoverflies Aphids, Mealy Bugs Ajuga, Alyssum, Feverfew, Cilantro, Cosmos, Buckwheat, Lavender, Lobelia, Lemon Balm, Mint, Parsley, Sedum, Marigold, Thyme, Veronica, Zinnia
Parasitic Wasps Moths, Flies, White Flies Yarrow, Dill, Cilantro, Cosmos, Queen Anne's Lace, Fennel, Statice, Lobelia, Lemon Balm, Parsley, Sedum, Marigold, Thyme, Zinnia
Tachinid Flies Cabbage Lopper, Cutworms, Squash Bug Nymphs Buckwheat, Lemon Balm, Parsley