Having a healthy and lush lawn often requires more than focusing on what grass needs to grow. Instead, you have to create a healthy ecosystem in your yard. While there are certainly some insects that can destroy your lawn, many others are beneficial. These beneficial insects may pollinate plants, eat or destroy harmful pests, or help organic matter decompose and enrichen the soil.
There are thousands of native bee species in North America, and they are one of nature’s most important beneficial insects since they are pollinators. They help your plants produce more flowers and fruits. A single bee can pollinate thousands of flowers in one day. Letting your lawn grow a little longer than usual and spacing out your mowing frequency is a great way to increase bee populations and diversity.
Also called lady beetles, ladybugs are known for their brightly colored reddish appearance with black spots. Larvae and mature ladybugs can consume up to sixty aphids a day. They also prey on mealybugs, mites, thrips, small caterpillars, and scale insects. Ladybugs can be a great ally when it comes to pest management.
These are just a few of the many beneficial insect species that provide biological control organically, without the need for pesticides.
Like any other animal, beneficial insects need water, preferably in a shallow dish or flower pot. Be wary of changing this water frequently or making it a running source. Stagnant water is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitos.
Certain plants attract beneficial insects, such as daisies, lavender, coneflower, butterfly bush, goldenrod, milkweed, catmint, and others.
Beneficial insects can take some of the work out of keeping your lawn healthy simply by doing the things they would normally do! It’s a safe and healthy way to keep harmful pests at bay and support a lawn teeming with life.
