Beneficial Insects: Before You Spray, Know Who's Helping Your Garden

Have you ever spotted an insect on one of your plants and immediately reached for an insecticide?

Before you spray, take a closer look. Not every insect in your landscape is a pest. In fact, many insects found throughout Missouri are actually helping your garden by controlling harmful pests or pollinating flowers.

Beneficial Predators

Some insects work behind the scenes by feeding on common garden pests like aphids, mites, caterpillars, and other insects that can damage your plants.

Some of the most common beneficial predators include:

• Milkweed beetles

• Ladybug larvae

• Assassin bugs and wheel bugs

• Green lacewings

• Parasitoid wasps

• Spiders

• Praying mantises

• Robber flies

• Bees

While these insects may not always look friendly, they play an important role in maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem.

Don't Forget the Pollinators

Not all beneficial insects hunt pests. Some are essential pollinators.

Bees help pollinate many flowering plants, fruits, and vegetables, making them one of the most valuable visitors you can have in your landscape.

Why Identification Matters

Applying an insecticide without first identifying the insect can unintentionally eliminate the very insects that are helping your plants.

Whenever possible, take a few moments to determine whether the insect is causing damage or providing a benefit before deciding to treat.

Need Help Identifying an Insect?

If you've found a bug in your landscape and aren't sure whether it's a pest or a beneficial insect, we're here to help.

Snap a few photos, bring them into Carson's Nurseries, or give us a call. Our team is always happy to help identify what you're seeing and recommend the best solution if treatment is needed.

Learning to recognize beneficial insects is one of the easiest ways to build a healthier, more balanced garden—and sometimes, the best thing you can do is simply let nature do the work.