Gardeners.com, Praying Mantis
Friday, April 9, 2010
Beneficial Insects In The Garden
I was perusing the web to find some information on beneficial insects in the garden (in hopes to not always using a chemical to combat some of the common pest problems) and I came across this information. I receive their catalog, but never really thought about the fact that you could order beneficial insects. That is interesting. Not sure if my garden size when have me order anything right now, but now I know that lady bugs are not only beautiful, but serve a great purpose in the garden. Also Praying Mantis scare me, but now that I know they to help in the garden and are not there to harm it, I won't be so quick to eradicate them. Being a beginner gardener you have to truly learn by trial and error (no matter how books you read or classes you attend) and through that experience you not only get better at your craft, but you can help others. Pass it on.
Gardeners.com, Praying Mantis
Gardeners.com, Praying Mantis
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Do check that they're selling native ladybugs and not the invasive japanese ones.
ReplyDeleteHI: LIZA and JOHN'S GARDEN Enjoyed our first visit to your blog today. You have a good blog. Come on over to our place for a Visit. Say Hi when you do.
ReplyDeleteHave a Wonderful Day,
John
Our brinjals have been the permanent residence for a few ladybirds.... I don't know what they are doing. They seem to crawling about the surface of the leaves, doing some cleaning or mopping I think. But so far no mantis yet. ~bangchik
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa and Robb, that is good information to know. I think I plan to buy my benefical insects (if I do) from my local natural gardener, just to be sure they are safe and what they are advertised to really be.
ReplyDeleteBangchik, I had to look up brinjals, that is good to know, becasue I currently have 4 different eggplants growing in my garden (first time growing them), so hopefully I will get some ladybugs. I did see some ladybugs in the front yard while pulling some weeds. I worked around them to not disturbed them.
ReplyDeleteI think it's worth trying out, Cynthia. In my opinion, it's best to let nature do it's job. I wish I had those ladybugs last fall when the aphids ate up my squash and cukes. I found out about ordering them online too late ...
ReplyDeleteI've read that there are three things you can do to attract the good bugs: 1. avoid all chemical insecticides and herbicides, 2. build up the soil with compost and organic matter, and 3. plant native vegetation that attracts the beneficial bugs you want. Unfortunately, if you dump a bunch of ladybugs in your garden and there's nothing for them to eat, they will just ride the wind to a place that suits them better.
That is what I was thinking too roundrockgarden. I want to work on building up the soil and plantings to give the beneficial ones reason to stay rather than paying money now only to see it fly away. I see many ways that I can improve what I am doing and one of them is to bring in more compost for the beds rather than soil. I did more soil this year and only 1/5 bags of composts to raise the level of the beds. Compost would have been better to spend on. I have a few classes lined up to help in some of the things I want to do, but to find out more about it, before I blow the money. Thanks.
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