Though chemicals may help us win a few battles against bugs, there's no denying that bugs are winning the war. After all, they've been on the planet millions of years longer than people. That's why many gardeners are learning to rely on beneficial insects -- helpful bugs that prey on insect pests. The ladybug's benefits are well known, but there are other beneficial insects. The Praying Mantis (figure A), for example, will eat any bug, including many pests Then there are Assassin Bugs, which are handy for consuming caterpillars, including aggravating types of bud worms. And predatory wasps eat white grubs. Getting beneficial bugs to call your garden home is fairly easy. Provide them with a source of water, such as a shallow container filled with stones, which gives the bugs a place to land and drink without drowning. A hedge or windbreak of some kind is a good idea too because most bugs don't like extremely windy or dusty conditions. A few pollen-producing plants, especially herbs, scattered throughout the garden will also attract beneficials. But by far the easiest way to introduce good bugs to a garden is to buy them, and they're available at nurseries and garden centers or by mail. Make sure to delay the release of good bugs until plenty of bad bugs are present. Without an adequate food supply, beneficials will quickly leave in search of a more promising habitat. Try releasing bugs inside some sort of temporary enclosure, such as a row cover (figure B), to give them time to adjust to their new surroundings. Keep the area moist, and let them go within a couple of days. Another good way to attract beneficial insects: make it a point to avoid electric bug zappers. They kill bad bugs, sure, but also slay the bugs that can help your garden. If you don't want to stop using a bug zapper, try turning it on only while you're out in the garden.
RESOURCES :
Bozeman Bio-Tech
Natural Insect Control
The Bug Store
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