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Near 70% of all animals are insects and most of those insects are beetles. If you are an animal born on the planet earth, you have, like, a 2/3 shot of being born a beetle. The biologist J.S.B. Haldane often quipped that The Creator had an inordinate fondness for beetles. If The Creator is fond of beetles, then maybe we should learn to live in harmony with them. Now, let?s take that lesson back to the garden, shall we?
Many of the insects that live in our gardens are beneficial. They creep around our plants and gobble up aphids and caterpillars and the like. Therefore, it stands to reason that if we increase the number of beneficial insects in our gardens, then we will decrease the pests. Here are some suggestions.
1. No pesticides.
You will kill everything: Good bugs, bad bugs, birds maybe. Plus, pesticides pollute and can get on your food and into your body.
2. Ant Control
Ants can run off other predators. Use vinegar to keep their armies in check.
3. Mulch
Mulch provides creeping space for spiders. It also locks in moisture.
4. Grow Flowers
According to Dr. Joseph M. Patt growing certain flowers will attract bees and other beneficial insects. He says:
The plants that are most useful for supporting beneficial insects have small flowers with exposed nectar and pollen. Umbels, such as coriader (cilantro), dill (especially 'Bouquet' variety), fennel and caraway are very attractive to beneficial insects. Alyssum, flowering buckwheat, black-eyed susans, dwarf sunflowers and yarrow also attract these insects.
He says that 5-10% of your garden should be dedicated to these plants. The plants should not be clumped together, but spread out over the entire garden. These function as insectaries.
5. Just Add Water
Insects get thirsty. You'll need to put a few saucers of water out for them. Fill the saucers with pebbles. Fill the pebble-filled saucer with water until the spaces between the rocks have water in them. Place these saucers near your insectaries.
6. Birds Aren't Insects, But
Birds will munch pests. You can attract birds with a bird feed or some berry-producing trees.
