Many people think all insects are bad, but the truth is, less than 1 percent of insects are pests. Most insects don’t harm the vegetable garden, and some are actually beneficial.

These garden helpers can pollinate, eat or parasitize pest insects, and break down organic matter. All they need are food, water, and shelter. They also need you to not kill them.

These garden helpers can pollinate, eat or parasitize pest insects, and break down organic matter. All they need are food, water, and shelter. They also need you to not kill them.

Ladybugs and ground beetles eat grubs and other pests, and thrive when your garden stays organic and pesticide-free.

While some gardeners still think that any bug in the garden is a bad bug, change is in the air. Most plant-lovers now realize that insects and plants go hand-in-hand and that there are far more ...

These beneficial insects are “good guy” bugs that help control pests naturally. Plant pests, such as snails, slugs, and tomato hornworms, can wreak havoc on ornamental and edible gardens ...

If your garden is out of balance and the pests are winning, beneficial insects might help bring order back—but only as a last resort. Amanda Blum March 4, 2024 Credit: Camilla Blaschuk/Shutterstock ...

The beneficial insects kill pests, often by parasitizing, which is feeding off a host, such as aphids. If given a chance, beneficial insects can prevent or greatly limit pest problems.

Another important beneficial insect is the hover fly, also known as the syrphid fly. The adults are important pollinators and the larvae can control 70-100% of an aphid population, if the larvae ...

Visit a home garden dedicated to supporting pollinators, then travel to Bellair Farm CSA to meet Dr. Tom Kuhar from the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology and learn how to manage vegetable ...

While the present beneficial insects will be killed, new ones coming into your garden will not be affected. It is important to have as much diversity as possible in your plantings.

These garden helpers can pollinate, eat or parasitize pest insects, and break down organic matter. All they need are food, water, and shelter. They also need you to not kill them.