One of the many wonderful things about Spring

One of the many wonderful things about Spring, and there are many wonderful things about Spring, is the fact that it’s bug season.  Yes, bug season. Now, many people cringe at just the thought of bugs and they do so for many good reasons.  Unless you are an armchair entomologist who has an affinity for the predators of the micro-jungle inhabiting our backyards, you may think this statement a bit daft.  However, not all bugs are pests. Some bugs are creatures you will most definitely want in your garden.

Get to know your garden visitors

Integrated pest management starts with identifying the insect and checking whether it is actually harming a plant. Lady beetles, lacewings and other natural enemies can help limit some pests. Whiteflies, however, are plant-feeding pests, not beneficial insects.

Watch mantises without treating them as targeted pest control

Praying mantises hatch from an egg case called an ootheca, not a chrysalis or cocoon. They are fascinating to observe, but they are generalist predators: they can eat pollinators and other beneficial insects as well as pests. Buying mantis egg cases is not a dependable way to control a particular garden pest. Leave them to feed naturally rather than offering processed meat.

Give lady beetles a useful start

If you choose to release purchased lady beetles for aphid control, first confirm that aphids are present. Mist the plants with water and release the beetles in the evening. Do not use soda or try to glue their wings shut. Many purchased lady beetles will disperse even when released carefully, so a release is not a lasting guarantee of pest control.

Make room for natural enemies

Plant a variety of flowering plants with different bloom times to provide food and shelter. Avoid unnecessary broad-spectrum insecticides, which can kill beneficial insects along with pests. Check plants regularly and choose management methods suited to the pest you have identified.

For more practical guidance, see UC IPM: Biological Control and Natural Enemies and UC ANR: Releasing Ladybugs in the Garden.

Enjoy the small wildlife that spring brings, identify pests before acting, and use Hormex products only for their labeled purposes.

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