Beneficial Insects are a category of insects that provide valued services such as pollination and pest control. As homeowners are becoming more environmentally conscious, beneficial insect releases are rising in popularity. Just this week we performed Beneficial Insect Releases on 3 properties; however, many homeowners still have never heard of controlling pests with beneficial insects. In this article, we will cover how the beneficial releases work, the benefits of these releases, and why your property is lacking beneficial insects in the first place.
How Does It Work?
Beneficial Insect Releases work by taking advantage of the natural structure of the ecosystem and food chain to control pests. If you are having a problem with a certain type of pest you would release the pest’s predator on your property to get the population of the damaging insect under control.
For example, if you have an aphid infestation our arborists would release ladybugs onto your property. These ladybugs will feed on the aphids and reproduce giving you natural and long-lasting pest control.
Why Aren’t The Good Bugs Already On My Property?
You may be wondering why there aren’t beneficial insects already on your property since there is an abundance of food for them. The short answer is your property’s ecosystem is out of balance.
Having small populations of pests pop up on your property now and then is normal. These small populations are kept in check by the natural predators in your yard’s ecosystem. When the natural predators aren’t present, pest populations get out of control and start damaging your plants. If you are having problems with out of control insects something most likely killed or made the natural predators flee from your property thus knocking your yard’s ecosystem out of balance.
This eradication of natural predators/beneficial insects can be caused by a number of things but it is most commonly seen when clients hire mosquito companies that use harsh chemical sprays. The chemicals these companies use are known to kill every insect that they come in contact with and make the areas sprayed inhabitable for beneficial insects. Once this happens your landscape becomes a breeding ground for pests that are able to rapidly reproduce and feed on your plants without any predators to stop them.
Restoring The Natural Balance:
Beneficial Insect Releases will help restore the natural balance of your yard’s ecosystem. In order to fully restore the natural balance homeowners will need to switch over to organic mosquito control options as well.
Learn About Our Organic Mosquito & Tick Control
Benefits Of Beneficial Insect Release:
A beneficial insect release is a great option for homeowners that are concerned with chemicals being on their property or have delicate ecosystems including fish ponds, creeks, and wildlife habitats.
- No chemicals on your property! (Completely safe for children and pets)
- The release is a fun experience you and your children can participate in
- Restore the natural balance of your yard’s ecosystem
- Will not hurt pollinators (with pollinators dying off at large rates it’s important to use pollinator friendly approaches to pest management)
- Won’t hurt fish in koi ponds
- Creates a healthier landscape that is more resilient
- Long lasting. Once established beneficial insects will continue to reproduce and keep your property healthy for many seasons.
Interested in a Beneficial Insect Release?
Or Call 703.573.3029
What Insects Are Beneficial?
There are many beneficial insects, including bees and wasps. The most common beneficial insects we use to control pests are listed below.
LadyBugs:
Fights: lace bugs, aphids, beetle larvae, mites, soft bodied scale, and more.
Lacewing Larvae
Fights: aphids, lace bugs, mites, caterpillar eggs, leafhoppers, and more.
Predatory Mites
Fights: spider mites.
Learn about our other organic programs:
