Lacewings at a glance Occupation: Predator Value to Gardener: 5/5 - Pest Controller Danger to Humans: 2/5 – Harmless Availability: 5/5 – They’ll arrive or you can buy some Quick Intro Lacewings adults are delicate wee fairy-folk of the vegetable garden… but do not let them fool you as they are voracious hunters of pest… Continue reading Lacewings: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month
Category: Biological Control
Spiders: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month
Spiders at a glance Occupation: Predator Value to Gardener: 5/5 - Pest Controller! Danger to Humans: 4/5 – Some are very poisonous Availability: 5/5 – They’ll arrive in your garden Quick Intro Most people shriek at the sight of a spider and try their very best to stomp it out of existence. I believe that… Continue reading Spiders: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month
House Wasp: DIY Beneficial Insect Homes
When we moved the garden outside at the back of the kitchen, I had made a couple of insects’ homes. I tried different types of designs I found on the internet. Most of them went un-inhabited, except for two: Exhibition A: The Log Pile The log pile was meant for carpenter and mason bees, but… Continue reading House Wasp: DIY Beneficial Insect Homes
Flies: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month
Flies at a glance Occupation: Predator, pollinator Value to Gardener: 5/5 - Pest Controller and Pollinator Danger to Humans: 2/5 – Most are harmless, some bite Availability: 5/5 – They’ll arrive or you can buy some Quick Intro Flies are seen as vermin and disgusting creatures. Although a large portion of flies are detrivores and… Continue reading Flies: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month
Sustainable, Productive and Economical Vegetable Gardening (Part 3): Integrated Organic Gardening
My vegetable garden is entering its 8th year and it has been a long journey of trial and error, many a dead or diseased plant and lots of research into various facets of food production along the way. As I have mentioned many times, organic gardening principles are not properly integrated and do not provide… Continue reading Sustainable, Productive and Economical Vegetable Gardening (Part 3): Integrated Organic Gardening
Wasps: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month
Wasps at a glance Occupation: Predator Value to Gardener: 5/5 - Pest Controller and Pollinator Danger to Humans: 4/5 – They can sting when provoked Availability: 5/5 – They’ll arrive or you can buy some Quick Intro The wasp is likely an under appreciated garden helper. They are one of a few insects that duel… Continue reading Wasps: Biological Control – Garden Critter of the Month
Insectary: Beneficial Insects & Garden Security Force
The Wildlife Garden - How to attract beneficial insects to your garden Integrative Pest Management (IPM) is the use of multiple pest preventative measures, such as diverse crop planting, crop rotation, green manures and responsible pesticide use. Enlisting the help of beneficial insects is also used to control pest populations and improve crop production. Insectaries… Continue reading Insectary: Beneficial Insects & Garden Security Force