Protect the good guys!
When pests attack our plants, it is tempting to rush out and
spray everything.
Sadly, this can result in the death of many creatures that do a
fine job of helping us keep pest numbers down - just think of
ladybirds and praying mantises!
Get to know and protect all the good guys in your garden.
Who are the good guys?
Some insects are gardening helpers.
For example
- Ladybirds
- Praying mantises
- Dragonflies
- Damselflies
- Hover flies
- Robber flies
- Lacewings
- Damsel bugs
- Predatory wasps
Remember, too, that the vast majority of garden
spiders are helpful not harmful.
What do these good guys look like?
If you want to know what the good guys look like, have a look at
the Good Bugs website
You'll also find great pictures in Backyard
Insects by Paul Horne & Denis Crawford.
You CAN protect the good guys
Use low-toxicity pesticides. They help to protect
these useful predatory insects. And systemic insecticides do less
harm because they target pests that eat plants or suck sap.
Defender™ MaxGuard is a low-toxicity
systemic pesticide that is much kinder to the 'good guys' than many
other sprays.