{"id":6363,"date":"2021-11-06T12:07:01","date_gmt":"2021-11-06T12:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=6363"},"modified":"2023-11-21T21:56:14","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T21:56:14","slug":"beneficial-insects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/","title":{"rendered":"26 Beneficial Insects for the Lawn and Garden: How to Identify and Attract Them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eek! You went out to work in your garden only to find huge bugs crawling all over your plants. Don&#8217;t kill them just yet. Some bugs, known as beneficial insects, are actually a gardener&#8217;s best friend.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are four categories of beneficial insects:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Pollinators<\/strong> pollinate your plants to make them produce more fruits and flowers.<\/li><li><strong>Predators <\/strong>eat the pest insects that chew up and destroy your plants.<\/li><li><strong>Parasitoids <\/strong>lay their eggs inside pest insects, killing them in the process.<\/li><li><strong>Decomposers <\/strong>help break down organic matter and enrich your soil.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, how do you know what beneficial insects you want to keep in your yard? We&#8217;ll help you identify some of the most common &#8220;good bugs&#8221; and tell you how to attract each one to your yard.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-455416cf-acd5-447d-8327-5ded991852c7\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\"> Beneficial insects (and other helpful bugs) covered in this article: <\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#0-1-ants\" style=\"\">1. Ants<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#1-what-ants-look-like\" style=\"\">What ants look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#2-how-ants-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How ants help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#3-how-to-attract-ants\" style=\"\">How to attract ants<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#4-2-aphid-midges\" style=\"\">2. Aphid midges<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#5-what-aphid-midges-look-like\" style=\"\">What aphid midges look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#6-how-aphid-midges-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How aphid midges help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#7-how-to-attract-aphid-midges\" style=\"\">How to attract aphid midges<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#8-3-assassin-bugs\" style=\"\">3. Assassin bugs<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#9-what-assassin-bugs-look-like\" style=\"\">What assassin bugs look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#10-how-assassin-bugs-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How assassin bugs help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#11-how-to-attract-assassin-bugs\" style=\"\">How to attract assassin bugs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#12-4-bees\" style=\"\">4. Bees<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#13-what-bees-look-like\" style=\"\">What bees look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#14-how-bees-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How bees help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#15-how-to-attract-bees\" style=\"\">How to attract bees<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#16-5-big-eyed-bugs\" style=\"\">5. Big-eyed bugs<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#17-what-big-eyed-bugs-look-like\" style=\"\">What big-eyed bugs look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#18-how-big-eyed-bugs-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How big-eyed bugs help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#19-how-to-attract-big-eyed-bugs\" style=\"\">How to attract big-eyed bugs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#20-6-braconid-wasps\" style=\"\">6. Braconid wasps<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#21-what-braconid-wasps-look-like\" style=\"\">What Braconid wasps look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#22-how-braconid-wasps-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How Braconid wasps help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#23-how-to-attract-braconid-wasps\" style=\"\">How to attract Braconid wasps<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#24-7-butterflies\" style=\"\">7. Butterflies<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#25-what-butterflies-look-like\" style=\"\">What butterflies look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#26-how-butterflies-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How butterflies help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#27-how-to-attract-butterflies\" style=\"\">How to attract butterflies<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#28-8-damsel-bugs\" style=\"\">8. Damsel bugs<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#29-what-damsel-bugs-look-like\" style=\"\">What damsel bugs look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#30-how-damsel-bugs-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How damsel bugs help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#31-how-to-attract-damsel-bugs\" style=\"\">How to attract damsel bugs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#32-9-dragonflies\" style=\"\">9. Dragonflies<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#33-what-dragonflies-look-like\" style=\"\">What dragonflies look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#34-how-dragonflies-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How dragonflies help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#35-how-to-attract-dragonflies\" style=\"\">How to attract dragonflies<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#36-10-earthworms\" style=\"\">10. Earthworms<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#37-what-earthworms-look-like\" style=\"\">What earthworms look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#38-how-earthworms-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How earthworms help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#39-how-to-attract-earthworms\" style=\"\">How to attract earthworms<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#40-11-fungus-gnat-predators\" style=\"\">11. Fungus gnat predators<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#41-what-fungus-gnat-predators-look-like\" style=\"\">What fungus gnat predators look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#42-how-fungus-gnat-predators-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How fungus gnat predators help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#43-how-to-attract-fungus-gnat-predators\" style=\"\">How to attract fungus gnat predators<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#44-12-green-lacewings\" style=\"\">12. Green lacewings<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#45-what-green-lacewings-look-like\" style=\"\">What green lacewings look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#46-how-green-lacewings-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How green lacewings help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#47-how-to-attract-green-lacewings\" style=\"\">How to attract green lacewings<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#48-13-ground-beetles\" style=\"\">13. Ground beetles<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#49-what-ground-beetles-look-like\" style=\"\">What ground beetles look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#50-how-ground-beetles-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How ground beetles help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#51-how-to-attract-ground-beetles\" style=\"\">How to attract ground beetles<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#52-14-hoverflies\" style=\"\">14. Hoverflies<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#53-what-hoverflies-look-like\" style=\"\">What hoverflies look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#54-how-hoverflies-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How hoverflies help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#55-how-to-attract-hoverflies\" style=\"\">How to attract hoverflies<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#56-15-ladybugs\" style=\"\">15. Ladybugs<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#57-what-ladybugs-look-like\" style=\"\">What ladybugs look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#58-how-ladybugs-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How ladybugs help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#59-how-to-attract-ladybugs\" style=\"\">How to attract ladybugs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#60-16-mealybug-destroyers\" style=\"\">16. Mealybug destroyers<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#61-what-mealybug-destroyers-look-like\" style=\"\">What mealybug destroyers look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#62-how-mealybug-destroyers-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How mealybug destroyers help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#63-how-to-attract-mealybug-destroyers\" style=\"\">How to attract mealybug destroyers<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#64-17-minute-pirate-bugs\" style=\"\">17. Minute pirate bugs<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#65-what-minute-pirate-bugs-look-like\" style=\"\">What minute pirate bugs look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#66-how-minute-pirate-bugs-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How minute pirate bugs help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#67-how-to-attract-minute-pirate-bugs\" style=\"\">How to attract minute pirate bugs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#68-18-pill-bugs\" style=\"\">18. Pill bugs<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#69-what-pill-bugs-look-like\" style=\"\">What pill bugs look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#70-how-pill-bugs-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How pill bugs help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#71-how-to-attract-pill-bugs\" style=\"\">How to attract pill bugs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#72-19-praying-mantises-\" style=\"\">19. Praying mantises\u00a0<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#73-what-praying-mantises-look-like\" style=\"\">What praying mantises look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#74-how-praying-mantises-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How praying mantises help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#75-how-to-attract-praying-mantises\" style=\"\">How to attract praying mantises<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#76-20-predatory-mites\" style=\"\">20. Predatory mites<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#77-what-predatory-mites-look-like\" style=\"\">What predatory mites look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#78-how-predatory-mites-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How predatory mites help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#79-how-to-attract-predatory-mites\" style=\"\">How to attract predatory mites<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#80-21-robber-flies\" style=\"\">21. Robber flies<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#81-what-robber-flies-look-like\" style=\"\">What robber flies look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#82-how-robber-flies-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How robber flies help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#83-how-to-attract-robber-flies\" style=\"\">How to attract robber flies<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#84-22-soldier-beetles\" style=\"\">22. Soldier beetles<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#85-what-soldier-beetles-look-like\" style=\"\">What soldier beetles look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#86-how-soldier-beetles-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How soldier beetles help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#87-how-to-attract-soldier-beetles\" style=\"\">How to attract soldier beetles<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#88-23-spiders\" style=\"\">23. Spiders<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#89-what-spiders-look-like\" style=\"\">What spiders look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#90-how-spiders-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How spiders help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#91-how-to-attract-spiders\" style=\"\">How to attract spiders<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#92-24-spined-soldier-bugs\" style=\"\">24. Spined soldier bugs<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#93-what-spined-soldier-bugs-look-like\" style=\"\">What spined soldier bugs look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#94-how-spined-soldier-bugs-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How spined soldier bugs help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#95-how-to-attract-spined-soldier-bugs\" style=\"\">How to attract spined soldier bugs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#96-25-tachinid-flies-\" style=\"\">25. Tachinid flies\u00a0<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#97-what-tachinid-flies-look-like\" style=\"\">What tachinid flies look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#98-how-tachinid-flies-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How tachinid flies help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#99-how-to-attract-tachinid-flies\" style=\"\">How to attract tachinid flies<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#100-26-trichogramma-wasps\" style=\"\">26. Trichogramma wasps<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#101-what-trichogramma-wasps-look-like\" style=\"\">What Trichogramma wasps look like<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#102-how-trichogramma-wasps-help-your-garden\" style=\"\">How Trichogramma wasps help your garden<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#103-how-to-attract-trichogramma-wasps\" style=\"\">How to attract Trichogramma wasps<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-insects\/#104-bee-kind-to-good-bugs-dont-use-insecticides\" style=\"\">&#8216;Bee&#8217; kind to good bugs: Don&#8217;t use insecticides!<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-1-ants\"><span id=\"1-ants\">1. Ants<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_ant-colony-v2.jpg\" alt=\"illustration showing the inside of an ant nest, through the ant hills\" class=\"wp-image-5388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_ant-colony-v2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_ant-colony-v2-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_ant-colony-v2-768x426.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_ant-colony-v2-610x339.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_ant-colony-v2-390x216.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-what-ants-look-like\"><span id=\"what-ants-look-like\">What ants look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You already know what ants are, but did you know they&#8217;re great for your lawn and garden? If you see anthills in your yard this summer, think twice about <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pest-control-how-to-get-rid-of-ants\/\">getting rid of them<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are more than 12,000 <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-are-the-different-types-of-ants\/\">different types of ants<\/a> in the world, and they all look a little different. Most are black or red and no more than \u00bd an inch in length.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-how-ants-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-ants-help-your-garden\">How ants help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Ants have <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-ants-in-your-yard\/\">many functions<\/a> in the lawn and garden. They help control grubs, fleas, termites, ticks, chinch bugs, and some caterpillars. They also <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-aerate-your-lawn-2\/\">aerate the soil<\/a> and add organic matter that contains nutrients (like nature&#8217;s version of fertilizer).&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-how-to-attract-ants\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-ants\">How to attract ants<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It might seem insane to attract ants to your yard on purpose, but the benefits of a healthy ant population could outweigh the drawbacks as long as it&#8217;s a species that doesn&#8217;t bite (like <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-fire-ants-in-your-yard\/\">fire ants<\/a>) or destroy your property (like <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-do-you-get-rid-of-carpenter-ants\/\">carpenter ants<\/a>). You can attract ants with lots of open space and sugary or protein-based food sources.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-2-aphid-midges\"><span id=\"2-aphid-midges\">2. Aphid midges<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-what-aphid-midges-look-like\"><span id=\"what-aphid-midges-look-like\">What aphid midges look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adult <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.ipm.ucanr.edu\/natural-enemies\/aphid-midge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">aphid midges<\/a> are flies with long, skinny legs and antennae. Their bodies are various shades of brown, and their wings are translucent. They&#8217;re very small, about \u215b-inch long at most.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aphid midge larvae (the younger version that helps your garden) look like see-through red, yellow, or orange maggots.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-how-aphid-midges-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-aphid-midges-help-your-garden\">How aphid midges help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Aphid midge larvae prey on dozens of different species of aphids, which are tiny bugs that literally suck the life out of your plants.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-how-to-attract-aphid-midges\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-aphid-midges\">How to attract aphid midges<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plant dill to attract aphid midges.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-3-assassin-bugs\"><span id=\"3-assassin-bugs\">3. Assassin bugs<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-what-assassin-bugs-look-like\"><span id=\"what-assassin-bugs-look-like\">What assassin bugs look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dept.psu.edu\/nkbiology\/naturetrail\/speciespages\/assassin_bug.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Assassin bugs<\/a> are brown or black with bright red, orange, or yellowish patterns on their backs. They have very long legs and a tube-shaped head that kind of looks like a bottle. Different species range in size from \u215b inch to 1 \u00bd inch.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-how-assassin-bugs-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-assassin-bugs-help-your-garden\">How assassin bugs help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Assassin bugs prey on basically any insect that&#8217;s small enough. They help control many common pests, such as aphids, caterpillars, and even cockroaches. Beware that assassin bugs might eat other beneficial insects in your garden, too.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-how-to-attract-assassin-bugs\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-assassin-bugs\">How to attract assassin bugs<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plant coriander, dill, and fennel to attract assassin bugs.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12-4-bees\"><span id=\"4-bees\">4. Bees<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"605\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_sunflower-g5d8bba521_1280.jpg\" alt=\"close-up of a bee inside of a sunflower\" class=\"wp-image-6369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_sunflower-g5d8bba521_1280.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_sunflower-g5d8bba521_1280-300x227.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_sunflower-g5d8bba521_1280-768x581.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_sunflower-g5d8bba521_1280-610x461.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_sunflower-g5d8bba521_1280-390x295.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/sunflower-bee-macro-pollen-1643794\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"13-what-bees-look-like\"><span id=\"what-bees-look-like\">What bees look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are more than 4,000 native bee species in North America, but most of them have a few key characteristics in common. They have thick, roundish bodies covered with hair. They all have wings.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most common species in the world, the Western honey bee, has the familiar black and yellow (or orange) stripes.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"14-how-bees-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-bees-help-your-garden\">How bees help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pollinators: <\/strong>Bees are the world&#8217;s best pollinators! They help your plants produce more flowers and fruits. One bee can pollinate thousands of flowers in one day.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"15-how-to-attract-bees\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-bees\">How to attract bees<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Any plant rich in pollen and nectar will attract bees, but you&#8217;ll get even more bees with native plants. You&#8217;ll have to research plants native to your part of the country. Don&#8217;t worry about selection \u2014 there are hundreds of options no matter where you live.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"16-5-big-eyed-bugs\"><span id=\"5-big-eyed-bugs\">5. Big-eyed bugs<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"17-what-big-eyed-bugs-look-like\"><span id=\"what-big-eyed-bugs-look-like\">What big-eyed bugs look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.ipm.ucanr.edu\/natural-enemies\/bigeyed-bugs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Big-eyed bugs<\/a> have oval-shaped bodies and bulbous eyes bulging out of either side of their head (where did you think the name came from?). They&#8217;re tiny, only about \u00bc to \u215b inch long, and can be brown, black, gray, or reddish-brown in color.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"18-how-big-eyed-bugs-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-big-eyed-bugs-help-your-garden\">How big-eyed bugs help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Big-eyed bugs prey on aphids, caterpillars, and mites, all of which can be a huge pain in the garden. Mites are especially bad because they bite humans and pets in addition to hurting plants.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"19-how-to-attract-big-eyed-bugs\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-big-eyed-bugs\">How to attract big-eyed bugs<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plant marigolds, cosmos, mint, fennel, or goldenrods to attract big-eyed bugs.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"20-6-braconid-wasps\"><span id=\"6-braconid-wasps\">6. Braconid wasps<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"21-what-braconid-wasps-look-like\"><span id=\"what-braconid-wasps-look-like\">What Braconid wasps look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ctahr.hawaii.edu\/organic\/downloads\/Braconid%20Wasps%20FINAL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Braconid wasps<\/a> are small wasps (usually no more than \u00bd inch in length). They appear to be all black from far away, but on closer inspection, they often have orangish or reddish-brown on parts of their bodies. Braconid wasps have stingers but only use them on the pests they attack.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Braconid wasp larvae look like little white pellets protruding from the body of a host insect.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"22-how-braconid-wasps-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-braconid-wasps-help-your-garden\">How Braconid wasps help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Parasitoids: <\/strong>Braconid wasps lay their eggs inside the body of a host insect, and then the host dies when the eggs hatch and the larvae feed on it from the inside. Their most common host is the tomato hornworm, which ravages tomato plants.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Adult Braconid wasps eat many other common garden pests, including but not limited to aphids, fruit flies, leafminers, diamondback moths, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-armyworms\/\">armyworms<\/a>, beetles, caterpillars, squash bugs, and stink bugs.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"23-how-to-attract-braconid-wasps\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-braconid-wasps\">How to attract Braconid wasps<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Attract Braconid wasps with flowering plants that have small flowers, such as dill, fennel, parsley, daisies, marigolds, or wild carrots.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"24-7-butterflies\"><span id=\"7-butterflies\">7. Butterflies<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_1garden-gbc1df584b_1280.jpg\" alt=\"close-up of a monarch butterfly on a purple flower\" class=\"wp-image-6367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_1garden-gbc1df584b_1280.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_1garden-gbc1df584b_1280-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_1garden-gbc1df584b_1280-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_1garden-gbc1df584b_1280-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_1garden-gbc1df584b_1280-610x458.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_1garden-gbc1df584b_1280-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_1garden-gbc1df584b_1280-390x293.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>PublicDomainPictures | <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/garden-flowers-butterfly-monarch-17057\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"25-what-butterflies-look-like\"><span id=\"what-butterflies-look-like\">What butterflies look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unless you&#8217;ve lived under a rock your whole life, you&#8217;re probably familiar with what butterflies look like. They have large wings protruding from either side of their body, and those wings feature colorful patterns that vary between species.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"26-how-butterflies-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-butterflies-help-your-garden\">How butterflies help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pollinators: <\/strong>Butterflies pollinate flowering plants, which helps them produce more fruits and flowers. After bees, butterflies are the next best pollinators in the world.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The downside of butterflies? Caterpillars (butterfly larvae) feed on leaves and can cause lasting damage to your plants if there are too many of them.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"27-how-to-attract-butterflies\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-butterflies\">How to attract butterflies<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like other pollinators, butterflies are attracted to any plant rich in nectar and pollen but especially native plants. Some common plants for butterfly gardens are butterfly weed (a type of milkweed), coneflowers, goldenrod, and Joe-pye weed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"28-8-damsel-bugs\"><span id=\"8-damsel-bugs\">8. Damsel bugs<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"29-what-damsel-bugs-look-like\"><span id=\"what-damsel-bugs-look-like\">What damsel bugs look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texasinsects.tamu.edu\/damsel-bug\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Damsel bugs<\/a> have flat, slender bodies that are wider toward the back and tapered toward the head. They&#8217;re brown or tan with darker brown patterns on the wings. They have long, slender legs and antennae.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"30-how-damsel-bugs-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-damsel-bugs-help-your-garden\">How damsel bugs help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Damsel bugs eat many common lawn and garden pests, including but not limited to caterpillar eggs, aphids, Lygus bugs, leafhoppers, treehoppers, and spider mites. Unfortunately, they also eat other beneficial insects such as big-eyed bugs and minute pirate bugs.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"31-how-to-attract-damsel-bugs\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-damsel-bugs\">How to attract damsel bugs<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plant caraway, spearmint, and fennel to attract damsel bugs.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"32-9-dragonflies\"><span id=\"9-dragonflies\">9. Dragonflies<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_dragonfly-g2acbc2060_1280.jpg\" alt=\"close-up of a dragonfly on top of a flower\" class=\"wp-image-6370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_dragonfly-g2acbc2060_1280.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_dragonfly-g2acbc2060_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_dragonfly-g2acbc2060_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_dragonfly-g2acbc2060_1280-610x406.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_dragonfly-g2acbc2060_1280-390x260.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>winterseitler | <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/dragonfly-insect-macro-wings-2186186\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"33-what-dragonflies-look-like\"><span id=\"what-dragonflies-look-like\">What dragonflies look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dragonflies have long, skinny, stick-like bodies with four wings close to their head. They have huge eyes on either side of the head, like other flies. Dragonflies have a wide variety of colors and patterns.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"34-how-dragonflies-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-dragonflies-help-your-garden\">How dragonflies help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Dragonflies are voracious predators that can consume their body weight in other insects every 30 minutes. They often prey on pests such as flies, gnats, and mosquitoes.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"35-how-to-attract-dragonflies\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-dragonflies\">How to attract dragonflies<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dragonflies lay their eggs in water, so they live near water sources. Attract them to your yard with a water feature such as a fountain or pond.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"36-10-earthworms\"><span id=\"10-earthworms\">10. Earthworms<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"37-what-earthworms-look-like\"><span id=\"what-earthworms-look-like\">What earthworms look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earthworms aren&#8217;t actually insects per se, but they&#8217;re one of the most beneficial bugs out there for the lawn and garden. Earthworms are long, thick worms covered in circular bands from end to end. They range in color from brown to gray to pinkish.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"38-how-earthworms-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-earthworms-help-your-garden\">How earthworms help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Decomposers: <\/strong>Earthworms decompose organic matter and recycle its nutrients back into the soil so your plants can absorb them. As they burrow, they aerate the soil and create channels that help roots grow deeper. Gardeners everywhere recognize <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrcs.usda.gov\/wps\/portal\/nrcs\/detailfull\/soils\/health\/biology\/?cid=nrcs142p2_053863\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">earthworms as a sign of healthy soil<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"39-how-to-attract-earthworms\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-earthworms\">How to attract earthworms<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want more earthworms in your soil, you can purchase them from any garden center. Add manure or <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/green-ideas-composting-101\/\">compost<\/a> to the soil and cover the surface with organic mulch to help earthworms thrive.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"40-11-fungus-gnat-predators\"><span id=\"11-fungus-gnat-predators\">11. Fungus gnat predators<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"41-what-fungus-gnat-predators-look-like\"><span id=\"what-fungus-gnat-predators-look-like\">What fungus gnat predators look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fungus gnat predators are tiny, translucent mites that live in the soil. They usually have a tan or brown tint to them.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"42-how-fungus-gnat-predators-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-fungus-gnat-predators-help-your-garden\">How fungus gnat predators help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>As their name suggests, fungus gnat predators mainly prey on the larvae of fungus gnats. If you&#8217;re dealing with fungus gnats in your soil, this is the beneficial insect you want in your yard. Fungus gnat predators also help control mites, thrips, and springtails.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"43-how-to-attract-fungus-gnat-predators\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-fungus-gnat-predators\">How to attract fungus gnat predators<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to introduce fungus gnat predators to your soil, you&#8217;ll probably have to purchase them online or from a garden center.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"44-12-green-lacewings\"><span id=\"12-green-lacewings\">12. Green lacewings<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"45-what-green-lacewings-look-like\"><span id=\"what-green-lacewings-look-like\">What green lacewings look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The name of this bug tells you pretty much everything you need to know about its appearance. <a href=\"https:\/\/entomology.ca.uky.edu\/ef148\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Green lacewings<\/a> have light green bodies and translucent wings with a delicate, lacy pattern. Their eyes are metallic gold. Adults are about \u00be inch long.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Green lacewing larvae can grow up to \u00bd inch in length. They&#8217;re white and brown in color, and they have two large pincers protruding from the mouth.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"46-how-green-lacewings-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-green-lacewings-help-your-garden\">How green lacewings help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>As larvae, green lacewings are voracious predators of all kinds of soft-bodied insects. Green lacewings are great for controlling caterpillars, aphids, whiteflies, leafhoppers, mealybugs, mites, and thrips.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"47-how-to-attract-green-lacewings\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-green-lacewings\">How to attract green lacewings<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plant dill, angelica, coriander, fennel, cosmos, sunflowers, tansy, yarrow, Queen Anne&#8217;s lace, or ornamental onion to attract green lacewings.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"48-13-ground-beetles\"><span id=\"13-ground-beetles\">13. Ground beetles<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"49-what-ground-beetles-look-like\"><span id=\"what-ground-beetles-look-like\">What ground beetles look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umn.edu\/nuisance-insects\/ground-beetles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ground beetles<\/a> are a group of beetles that have wings but rarely fly. They stay hidden during the day. Most adults are \u215b to \u00bd inch long and shiny black. However, some species can be brown, iridescent, or brightly colored.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"50-how-ground-beetles-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-ground-beetles-help-your-garden\">How ground beetles help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Don&#8217;t confuse ground beetles with pest beetles that devour your plants, such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-japanese-beetles\/\">Japanese beetle<\/a>. As larvae and adults, ground beetles feed on garden pests, including but not limited to caterpillars, weevils, thrips, silverfish, slugs, snails, cutworms, cabbage maggots, and squash bugs.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"51-how-to-attract-ground-beetles\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-ground-beetles\">How to attract ground beetles<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because ground beetles hide during the day, they need places to take shelter. Pavers, potted plants, rotting wood, and perennial plants are all shelters that can attract ground beetles.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"52-14-hoverflies\"><span id=\"14-hoverflies\">14. Hoverflies<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"53-what-hoverflies-look-like\"><span id=\"what-hoverflies-look-like\">What hoverflies look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/texasinsects.tamu.edu\/syrphid-fly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hoverflies<\/a>, aka syrphid flies, might look to you like bees or wasps. Most species are black or brown with yellow stripes. They range in size from \u00bc to \u00be inch long. Some species are hairy. You can differentiate them from bees and wasps because hoverflies only have two wings instead of four.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"54-how-hoverflies-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-hoverflies-help-your-garden\">How hoverflies help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pollinators and predators: <\/strong>Hoverflies pollinate flowering plants, just like bees and butterflies. But that&#8217;s not all. As larvae, hoverflies prey on garden pests such as aphids, caterpillars, beetles, thrips, scale insects, and mealybugs.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"55-how-to-attract-hoverflies\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-hoverflies\">How to attract hoverflies<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plant common yarrow, fern-leaf yarrow, dill, basket-of-gold, cosmos, bergamot, lemon balm, goldenrod, mint, parsley, Queen Anne&#8217;s lace, or zinnias to attract hoverflies.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"56-15-ladybugs\"><span id=\"15-ladybugs\">15. Ladybugs<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"528\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_ladybugs-g6fbf219d6_1280.jpg\" alt=\"two ladybugs facing each other on a small leaf\" class=\"wp-image-6366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_ladybugs-g6fbf219d6_1280.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_ladybugs-g6fbf219d6_1280-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_ladybugs-g6fbf219d6_1280-768x507.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_ladybugs-g6fbf219d6_1280-610x403.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_ladybugs-g6fbf219d6_1280-390x257.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Ron van den Berg | <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/ladybugs-insects-pair-1593406\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"57-what-ladybugs-look-like\"><span id=\"what-ladybugs-look-like\">What ladybugs look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ladybugs, aka lady beetles, are a familiar sight to anyone who has spent time outdoors. They&#8217;re about the same length as a staple. In the most common species, the seven-spotted ladybug, the shell-like wing casings are bright red with black spots.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"58-how-ladybugs-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-ladybugs-help-your-garden\">How ladybugs help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>They might be cute to us, but ladybugs are vicious to pest insects. As larvae and adults, they prey on aphids and eat up to 60 aphids per day (impressive considering how small ladybugs are). They also prey on mealybugs, leafhoppers, mites, thrips, small caterpillars, and scale insects.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"59-how-to-attract-ladybugs\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-ladybugs\">How to attract ladybugs<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Attract ladybugs with plants such as dill, fennel, cosmos, bergamot, lemon balm, mint, parsley, goldenrod, Queen Anne&#8217;s lace, statice yarrow, or zinnias.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"60-16-mealybug-destroyers\"><span id=\"16-mealybug-destroyers\">16. Mealybug destroyers<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"61-what-mealybug-destroyers-look-like\"><span id=\"what-mealybug-destroyers-look-like\">What mealybug destroyers look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.ipm.ucanr.edu\/natural-enemies\/mealybug-destroyer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mealybug destroyer<\/a> is a specific type of lady beetle (aka ladybug). They have the same dome-shaped bodies as more familiar ladybugs, but mealybug destroyers are even smaller at just 3 to 4 millimeters long (compared to the average ladybug size of 1 centimeter).&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mealybug destroyers have a brown head and abdomen (the back-end) with a shiny black thorax (the middle segment of an insect&#8217;s body).&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"62-how-mealybug-destroyers-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-mealybug-destroyers-help-your-garden\">How mealybug destroyers help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>As you probably could&#8217;ve guessed, mealybug destroyers prey on mealybugs, which are soft-bodied insects that suck the juices out of many plants.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mealybug destroyers eat all life stages of the mealybug, so they can help you control a mealybug infestation in your garden. Sometimes, they also feed on other soft-bodied insect pests, such as aphids.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"63-how-to-attract-mealybug-destroyers\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-mealybug-destroyers\">How to attract mealybug destroyers<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fennel, dill, sunflowers, and goldenrods all attract mealybug destroyers.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"64-17-minute-pirate-bugs\"><span id=\"17-minute-pirate-bugs\">17. Minute pirate bugs<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"65-what-minute-pirate-bugs-look-like\"><span id=\"what-minute-pirate-bugs-look-like\">What minute pirate bugs look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/entomology.wsu.edu\/outreach\/bug-info\/minute-pirate-bug\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minute pirate bugs<\/a> are extra tiny at about 3 millimeters long (for reference, that&#8217;s about the width of two pennies stacked on top of each other). They have oval-shaped bodies that are black with white patches on the wings.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"66-how-minute-pirate-bugs-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-minute-pirate-bugs-help-your-garden\">How minute pirate bugs help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Minute pirate bugs make excellent pest control helpers because they prey on so many different insects. Their most common targets are aphids, spider mites, and thrips, but they&#8217;ll eat other pests, too. The downside of their indiscriminate prey list is that they&#8217;ll eat other beneficial insects, as well.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another warning: Minute pirate bugs bite humans sometimes. Their bites usually cause only minor irritation.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"67-how-to-attract-minute-pirate-bugs\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-minute-pirate-bugs\">How to attract minute pirate bugs<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plant alfalfa, daisies, cosmos, fennel, mint, marigolds, or goldenrods to attract minute pirate bugs. Leaf piles also can attract minute pirate bugs, but we don&#8217;t recommend letting leaves sit in your lawn, as they&#8217;ll attract <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pest-control-fall-lawn-pests\/\">lawn pests<\/a>, too.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"68-18-pill-bugs\"><span id=\"18-pill-bugs\">18. Pill bugs<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"69-what-pill-bugs-look-like\"><span id=\"what-pill-bugs-look-like\">What pill bugs look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pill bug, more commonly known as a rolly polly, is another helpful critter that isn&#8217;t technically an insect. Pill bugs are actually crustaceans (like shrimp and crabs).&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pill bugs have slate-gray body segments that look like plates of armor, and they roll up into tight balls when exposed. They&#8217;re usually about \u00bd-inch long when unrolled.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"70-how-pill-bugs-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-pill-bugs-help-your-garden\">How pill bugs help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Decomposers: <\/strong>Pill bugs operate in your soil like earthworms. They help decompose organic matter (like leaves or even dead plants), which recycles nutrients back into the soil for your grass and plants to soak up.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"71-how-to-attract-pill-bugs\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-pill-bugs\">How to attract pill bugs<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pill bugs look for moisture and decaying matter, so you can attract them with uncovered compost, leaf piles, or decaying wood. Unfortunately, all these options also attract common pests <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-termites-in-your-yard\/\">such as termites<\/a>. Instead of attracting them, you can purchase pill bugs online or at a garden center and introduce them to your soil.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"72-19-praying-mantises-\"><span id=\"19-praying-mantises\">19. Praying mantises&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"73-what-praying-mantises-look-like\"><span id=\"what-praying-mantises-look-like\">What praying mantises look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At 2 to 4 inches long (not counting the front legs), the praying mantis is huge compared to the other insects on this list. There are different species, but most are light green in color. They have long, slender bodies and legs, with the front legs folding out in front. Their heads are triangular with two bulbous eyes on either side.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"74-how-praying-mantises-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-praying-mantises-help-your-garden\">How praying mantises help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Praying mantises eat huge quantities of pest insects. Their diet can include aphids, beetles, caterpillars, locusts, spiders, and adult moths. They&#8217;ll also eat beneficial insects like butterflies, bees, and even other praying mantises, so don&#8217;t attract these predators to your yard if you also want a healthy pollinator population.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"75-how-to-attract-praying-mantises\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-praying-mantises\">How to attract praying mantises<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/height-cut-grass\/\">Tall grass<\/a> and shrubs make attractive habitats for praying mantises. You also can attract them with dill, marigolds, yarrow, fennel, and cosmos.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"76-20-predatory-mites\"><span id=\"20-predatory-mites\">20. Predatory mites<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"77-what-predatory-mites-look-like\"><span id=\"what-predatory-mites-look-like\">What predatory mites look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like other mites, <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umd.edu\/resource\/predatory-mites\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">predatory mites<\/a> aren&#8217;t insects but arachnids (in the same family as spiders and ticks). They&#8217;re extremely tiny at less than \u00bd millimeter long (smaller than the edge of your credit card).&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You probably won&#8217;t be able to tell without catching one and putting it under a microscope, but predatory mites have pear-shaped bodies. They&#8217;re translucent on their own, but they turn orangish or reddish after they eat. From afar, they look just like pest mites, but you can tell the difference under magnification by the predatory mite&#8217;s rounder body and longer legs.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"78-how-predatory-mites-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-predatory-mites-help-your-garden\">How predatory mites help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>These small but \u201cmite-y\u201d predators eat more troublesome members of their own family: spider mites, rust mites, and bulb mites, all of which suck nutrients from plants. Introducing predatory mites to your garden can get rid of a pest mite infestation quickly.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"79-how-to-attract-predatory-mites\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-predatory-mites\">How to attract predatory mites<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Predatory mites are attracted to extreme humidity, so they may not naturally occur in your garden unless you live in a humid climate. However, they&#8217;re available for purchase as a pest control method online and at garden centers.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"80-21-robber-flies\"><span id=\"21-robber-flies\">21. Robber flies<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"81-what-robber-flies-look-like\"><span id=\"what-robber-flies-look-like\">What robber flies look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/entnemdept.ufl.edu\/creatures\/beneficial\/flies\/robber_flies.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Robber flies<\/a> have a distinctive appearance you aren&#8217;t likely to miss. They have elongated bodies that stretch out far past their legs, which are covered in bristles. There&#8217;s a hump on their back near the head, where the wings stick out. They&#8217;re usually brown or black in color.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"82-how-robber-flies-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-robber-flies-help-your-garden\">How robber flies help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Robber flies prey on a variety of common garden pests, including but not limited to <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pest-control-how-to-get-rid-of-grubs-in-lawn\/\">grubs<\/a>, grasshoppers, adult beetles, leafhoppers, and some species of spiders and wasps. Their prey also includes beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, so you don&#8217;t want too many of them in your yard, just enough to keep pests under control.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"83-how-to-attract-robber-flies\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-robber-flies\">How to attract robber flies<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plant mint, catnip, chamomile, and daisies to attract robber flies.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"84-22-soldier-beetles\"><span id=\"22-soldier-beetles\">22. Soldier beetles<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"85-what-soldier-beetles-look-like\"><span id=\"what-soldier-beetles-look-like\">What soldier beetles look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hortnews.extension.iastate.edu\/soldier-beetle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Soldier beetles<\/a> don&#8217;t look like your typical shiny-backed beetle. They have soft, leathery wings and long, straight bodies instead of the typical rounded shape. Different species are red or yellow with brown or black wings.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"86-how-soldier-beetles-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-soldier-beetles-help-your-garden\">How soldier beetles help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Soldier beetles feed on young, soft-bodied insects such as aphids and caterpillars, two common garden pests.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"87-how-to-attract-soldier-beetles\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-soldier-beetles\">How to attract soldier beetles<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plant marigolds, goldenrods, zinnias, and linden trees to attract soldier beetles.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"88-23-spiders\"><span id=\"23-spiders\">23. Spiders<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"89-what-spiders-look-like\"><span id=\"what-spiders-look-like\">What spiders look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/hort.extension.wisc.edu\/articles\/garden-spiders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">most common spiders in lawns and gardens<\/a> are:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Yellow garden spider<\/li><li>Barn spider<\/li><li>Grass spider&nbsp;<\/li><li>Wolf spider&nbsp;<\/li><li>Crab spider&nbsp;<\/li><li>Different types of jumping spider&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Note: None of the spiders on this list are considered toxic to humans, even if they bite.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These species vary widely in size and color, but all spiders have eight legs, two body sections, and no wings or antennae.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"90-how-spiders-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-spiders-help-your-garden\">How spiders help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>All kinds of spiders found in your garden eat many insects, including a lot of pests. Bed bugs, aphids, caterpillars, fruit flies, grasshoppers, and wasps are just some of the pests they help control. As with many predators, the downside is that they&#8217;ll also eat beneficial insects.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A note on spider bites:<\/strong> Some spiders have venom that can cause serious illness or death in humans. However, most spiders won&#8217;t bite anything other than their prey unless provoked. Even when provoked, they&#8217;re more likely to run away and hide than attack.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"91-how-to-attract-spiders\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-spiders\">How to attract spiders<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want spiders in your garden, plant trees and shrubs large enough to give them room to weave their webs. Undisturbed crevices, like a crack in a stone wall or a space beneath your home, also can attract spiders.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"92-24-spined-soldier-bugs\"><span id=\"24-spined-soldier-bugs\">24. Spined soldier bugs<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"93-what-spined-soldier-bugs-look-like\"><span id=\"what-spined-soldier-bugs-look-like\">What spined soldier bugs look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/entomology.ca.uky.edu\/ef325\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">spined soldier bug<\/a> is a species of stink bug. It has a wide, flat body with a small head. Its back and wings feature a brown, black, and tan mottled pattern. Unlike the common brown stink bug, which looks similar, the spined soldier bug has spines protruding from just behind its head.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"94-how-spined-soldier-bugs-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-spined-soldier-bugs-help-your-garden\">How spined soldier bugs help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predators: <\/strong>Spined soldier bugs are excellent to have around in a vegetable garden, as they feed on common crop pests. They help control:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Colorado potato beetles (which attack potato plants)&nbsp;<\/li><li>Mexican bean beetles (which attack legumes)&nbsp;<\/li><li>Cabbage worms (which attack cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardeningknowhow.com\/edible\/vegetables\/vgen\/cruciferous-vegetables.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cruciferous plants<\/a>)&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"95-how-to-attract-spined-soldier-bugs\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-spined-soldier-bugs\">How to attract spined soldier bugs<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Attract spined soldier bugs with perennial plants around your vegetable garden. Perennial plants give each new generation of spined soldier bugs a place to take shelter year after year so they don&#8217;t move somewhere else.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"96-25-tachinid-flies-\"><span id=\"25-tachinid-flies\">25. Tachinid flies&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"97-what-tachinid-flies-look-like\"><span id=\"what-tachinid-flies-look-like\">What tachinid flies look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many species of <a href=\"http:\/\/ipm.ucanr.edu\/natural-enemies\/tachinid_flies.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tachinid flies<\/a>. As adults, they&#8217;re less than \u00bd inch long. Most species are dark-colored with thick bodies and legs. They look like house flies but bigger.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"98-how-tachinid-flies-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-tachinid-flies-help-your-garden\">How tachinid flies help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Parasitoids: <\/strong>Tachinid flies lay their eggs in the bodies of host insects, killing the host in the process. Different species of tachinid flies attack different pests. Their most common targets are the larvae of moths, such as the common lawn pests armyworms, and cutworms. They also attack the grubs of <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-japanese-beetles\/\">Japanese beetles<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"99-how-to-attract-tachinid-flies\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-tachinid-flies\">How to attract tachinid flies<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plant clover, dill, parsley, coriander, and other herbs to attract tachinid flies.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"100-26-trichogramma-wasps\"><span id=\"26-trichogramma-wasps\">26. Trichogramma wasps<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"101-what-trichogramma-wasps-look-like\"><span id=\"what-trichogramma-wasps-look-like\">What Trichogramma wasps look like<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"http:\/\/ipm.ucanr.edu\/natural-enemies\/trichogramma_spp.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trichogramma wasps<\/a> are very small for wasps, only about 1 millimeter long or less. They&#8217;re a translucent yellowish, tan, or brown color. They are shaped like any other wasp but with squatter features.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"102-how-trichogramma-wasps-help-your-garden\"><span id=\"how-trichogramma-wasps-help-your-garden\">How Trichogramma wasps help your garden<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Parasitoids: <\/strong>Trichogramma wasps are another type of parasitic wasp. Unlike Braconid wasps, they don&#8217;t target one specific host. They lay their eggs inside more than 200 types of insects, many of which are garden pests.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Targets include but are not limited to gypsy moths, corn borers, Japanese beetles, Mexican bean beetles, squash bugs, stink bugs, and grasshoppers.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"103-how-to-attract-trichogramma-wasps\"><span id=\"how-to-attract-trichogramma-wasps\">How to attract Trichogramma wasps<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wasps are pollinators, so you can attract them with flowering native plants.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"104-bee-kind-to-good-bugs-dont-use-insecticides\"><span id=\"bee-kind-to-good-bugs-dont-use-insecticides\">&#8216;Bee&#8217; kind to good bugs: Don&#8217;t use insecticides!<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you have pests in your lawn and garden, it&#8217;s tempting to reach for the pesticide bottle for an easy fix. But most insecticides are bad news for these beneficial insects, too.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without pollinators, your garden will have fewer flowers. Without predators and parasitoids in your garden to ward off bad bugs, you&#8217;ll have more pests next season than ever (and fewer fruits and vegetables). And without decomposers, your soil will become poor in nutrients for your plants.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of insecticides, try <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-care-organic-pest-control-options\/\">organic pest control methods<\/a>, such as:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Neem oil<\/li><li>Diatomaceous earth<\/li><li>Spinosad&nbsp;<\/li><li>Bacillus thuringiensis<\/li><li>Sulfur&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don&#8217;t recognize any of the bugs on our list as the same ones crawling around your lawn and garden? Use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insectidentification.org\/bugfinder-start.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BugFinder insect identification tool<\/a> to figure out if your creepy crawly visitors are good bugs or bad bugs. Either way, leave the insecticides on the shelf.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>While beneficial insects keep your garden looking its best, let our <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/lawnlove.com\"><em>local lawn care pros<\/em><\/a><em> do the same for your lawn with mowing, fertilizing, weed control, and other regular services.&nbsp; <\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Photo Credit: Photorama | <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/honey-bee-bee-flowers-insect-tansy-6506809\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Eek! You went out to work in your garden only to find huge bugs crawling all over your plants. Don&#8217;t [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":6368,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[297,126,294],"tags":[132,147],"class_list":["post-6363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gardening","category-lawn-care-tips","category-pest-control","tag-gardening","tag-lawn-care"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/rsz_honey-bee-gd7480592b_1280.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Jordan Ardoin","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/jordan-ardoin\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6363"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6363\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}