Insects

Not every insect in the garden is a pest — many are pollinators, predators, or simply neutral passersby. Learning to tell them apart keeps you from reaching for a spray you didn't need.

Friend, Foe, or Neither

Ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps actively hunt the aphids and caterpillars damaging your plants — killing them off does more harm than good. Bees and other pollinators need to be left completely alone. The insects actually worth treating are usually the ones causing visible chewing, sucking, or wilting damage.

When in Doubt, Watch First

Before treating anything, take a few days to observe. A small number of any insect rarely justifies intervention, and populations of both pests and predators tend to rise and fall together — give the beneficial insects a chance to do their job first.