FAQ: How do I attract beneficial insects to my garden?

Attracting beneficial insects to your garden is a natural and effective way to control pests and promote a healthy ecosystem. Here are several strategies to encourage beneficial insects to visit and stay in your garden:

1. Plant Diversity

Growing a wide variety of flowering plants ensures that something is always blooming in your garden. This creates a continuous food source of nectar and pollen from early spring through late fall. Beneficial insects like bees, hoverflies, and lady beetles depend on these resources to survive and reproduce. For example, early bloomers like crocuses or alyssum feed pollinators emerging after winter, while late-season flowers such as asters or goldenrod sustain them before overwintering. Diversity also helps prevent pest outbreaks by making it harder for pests to find their preferred host plants.

2. Native Plants

Native plants have co-evolved with local insects, meaning they provide the exact type of nectar, pollen, and habitat those species need. They also tend to be more drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, and low-maintenance compared to non-natives. For example, milkweed supports monarch butterflies, while purple coneflower is a favorite of native bees. By planting natives, you strengthen the local ecosystem and attract a broader variety of beneficial insects that already recognize and rely on these plants.

3. Herbs and Aromatic Plants

Many common kitchen herbs do double duty in the garden. Dill, fennel, cilantro, mint, lavender, and marigolds produce clusters of small, nectar-rich flowers that draw in pollinators and predatory insects. For instance, dill flowers attract lacewings and hoverflies, both of which feed on aphids. Lavender provides abundant nectar for bees, and marigolds not only attract pollinators but can also repel harmful nematodes in the soil. Having these aromatic plants scattered around the garden enhances biodiversity and provides pest control naturally.

4. Umbelliferous Plants

Plants in the carrot family (like parsley, dill, fennel, and carrots) produce umbrella-shaped flower clusters that are highly attractive to parasitic wasps, tachinid flies, and other predatory insects. These natural enemies lay their eggs inside or on pest insects like caterpillars, aphids, or whiteflies, helping to reduce pest populations. These plants are especially valuable because they provide accessible nectar sources for insects with short mouthparts.

5. Flowering Shrubs and Trees

While smaller flowers are great for attracting insects, larger plants like shrubs and trees provide additional layers of habitat and shelter. Elderberry, butterfly bush, and fruit trees not only offer abundant blossoms for bees and butterflies but also act as nesting or resting sites for insects. A blooming fruit tree, for example, can provide food for thousands of pollinators at once, ensuring a strong fruit set while sustaining beneficial insect populations.

6. Provide Water

Insects need water for survival, just like birds and mammals. Shallow dishes filled with water and pebbles, or damp sand for butterflies to “puddle,” create safe spots for insects to drink without the risk of drowning. Even a small birdbath with stones added can serve as a hydration station for bees. These water sources also double as resting spots during hot summer days.

7. Avoid Pesticides

While pesticides may kill harmful insects, they also kill beneficial ones. Even “natural” or organic sprays can disrupt the ecosystem by wiping out predators and pollinators. Instead of spraying, focus on preventative practices like companion planting, crop rotation, and encouraging natural predators. A thriving beneficial insect population will naturally keep pest numbers in check, reducing the need for chemicals altogether.

8. Manage Weeds

Not all weeds are bad, but many can host pests and plant diseases that spread to your crops. Removing problem weeds reduces pest hiding spots and food sources, making your garden less attractive to harmful insects. At the same time, you can leave certain non-invasive “weeds” like clover or dandelions in less-used areas to provide early nectar sources for pollinators. The key is balancing weed control with ecosystem support.

9. Beneficial Insect Houses

Insect hotels, bee blocks, and butterfly shelters provide safe nesting sites and overwintering spots. Many solitary bees, such as mason bees, nest in hollow stems or drilled wood. Ladybugs and lacewings seek sheltered spaces to hibernate during the colder months. You can buy pre-made insect houses or create DIY versions by bundling bamboo canes, stacking logs, or leaving hollow stems intact in the garden. These shelters support biodiversity year-round.

10. Companion Planting

Strategic plant pairings can attract beneficial insects right where you need them. For example, planting dill or cilantro near tomatoes draws predatory wasps that feed on tomato hornworms. Nasturtiums planted alongside cucumbers can lure aphids away while attracting ladybugs to control them. By choosing plant combinations thoughtfully, you can reduce pest pressure without chemicals and improve overall crop health.

11. Provide Overwintering Sites

Many beneficial insects need safe places to survive the winter. Leaving some leaf litter, mulch, or hollow stems in garden beds provides natural shelter. For example, ladybugs often overwinter under piles of leaves, and solitary bees may hibernate in soil or dead wood. Instead of tidying your garden completely in the fall, leave some areas “wild” to ensure beneficial insects return in spring to help control pests and pollinate crops.

By implementing these strategies, you can create a garden environment that attracts and supports a diverse range of beneficial insects. These insects will help naturally manage pest populations and contribute to a healthier and more balanced garden ecosystem.