Usually, when we think of insects, we think of pests. But not all insects are pests. Without insects, the world would be a lot less green. Between 50 and 90 percent of the human diet comes from plants. For these plants to produce, they must be pollinated. Pollination can occur through the wind, water, or other animals, but the majority of pollination is thanks to insects such as bees, beetles, and butterflies. Insects aren’t just good for pollinating your vegetables, fruits, and flowers. They can also defend your plants from damaging garden pests.

 

Ladybugslady bug on a flower

Ladybugs are a gardener’s best friend. Ladybugs might not look threatening to us, but to tiny pests that feed on our plants, they are skilled hunters. Ladybugs can be purchased in bulk and released on your gardens and flower beds. The only problem is when there are no more pests to eat, they will move on to greener pastures.

Ladybugs are good at eliminating:

  • Aphids
  • Whiteflies
  • Colorado Potato Beetle

 

Braconid Wasps

Braconid wasps are small wasps with narrow waists, long antennas, and ant-like heads. Those long terrifying stingers are tubes used by the females to deposit eggs. Adult braconid wasps prey on caterpillars, beetles, aphids, and stink bugs. Females lay eggs on or in soft-bodied caterpillars such as cabbage worms, tomato hornworms, and other garden pests. The larvae hatch and feed inside their living hosts. A female braconid wasp can lay up to 200 eggs a day.

Braconid wasps feed on:

 

Soldier Bugssoldier bug

Soldier bugs are medium-sized predatory stink bugs that prey on a wide variety of arthropods. They patrol your garden looking for plant damaging insects. Soldier bugs feed by sucking the juices out of their prey. The insects they help eliminate are:

  • Grubs
  • Gypsy moth caterpillars
  • Cabbage worms
  • Loopers

 

Praying Mantis

The praying mantis is a delightful sight to see in the garden. Mantises are the apex predator in your garden. They can feed on almost any insect, both pest and beneficial. You can purchase mantis eggs online or attract them by planting shrubs and perennials that provide shelter and strong branches to hold eggs. Female mantises lay egg cases that can hold between 50 and 400 eggs. The eggs hatch in the spring and start hunting immediately. Praying mantises eat:

  • Aphids, 
  • Asparagus beetles, 
  • Caterpillars, 
  • Colorado potato beetles, 
  • Earwigs, 
  • Leafhoppers, 
  • Mexican bean beetles,
  • Squash bugs

 

Lacewings

Lacewings are identified by their long transparent wings. Adults feed on nectar, pollen, and honeydew, while the larvae feed on soft-bodied insects. They are so good at what they do that just one lacewing can control up to 70 aphids.

  • Mealybugs
  • Scales
  • Thrips
  • Whiteflies
  • Spider mites
  • Leafhopper nymphs
  • Caterpillar eggs

 

Assassin Bugs

Assassin bugs are long-snouted, brown insects that appear in large numbers each spring, often invading our homes and cars. However, assassin bugs make a great garden security team. As their name implies, they can be aggressive and bite when provoked, so don’t pick them up with your bare hands. Assassin bugs feed on:

  • Caterpillars
  • Moths
  • Aphids
  • Small beetles

 

Call The Pest Control Experts

When your home or lawn has become infested with pests or rodents, you can count on the experts at Cramer Pest Control.

We know the dangers that pests pose to you and your family. At Cramer Pest Control, we have pest control programs to fit every situation. Whether you’re looking for residential or commercial, Indoor Pest Control or outdoor, the experts at Cramer Pest Control have the solution for you.

Don’t wait for the problem to get out of control, call us now at (704) 763-0204 or (803) 802-7540 to get started. You can also contact us here for more information. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for the latest deals and check our blog for monthly pest control tips and tricks.