Beneficial Pests - A Quick Introduction to Good “Pests”

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beneficial Pests

• A Quick Introduction to a World You May Not Be
  Familiar With

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There are Good Bugs?

• If youre like many homeowners, you only know
  about one type of bug the bad kind. Theyre the
  reason you fix holes in your screens immediately,
  the reason you have a yearly maintenance program
  with your pest control company, and the reason
  your exterminator is on speed dial. As many
  people begin to focus on the greener side of life
  these days, though, it may surprise you to learn
  that there are some bugs you just dont want to
  get rid of.

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Who Cares?

• If youre not already familiar with beneficial
  pests, you may want to be. While the average
  homeowner probably wouldnt even consider
  introducing beneficial pest species onto their
  property, if you have a summer garden or you love
  your seasonal flowers, beneficial pests might be
  the way to go.

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Before You Place an Order
There are many different mail-order companies
online offering almost every type of beneficial
pest under the sun, and before you decide to get
thousands of ladybugs for just twenty bucks,
there are a number of things to keep in mind.

• If you havent already, call your pest control
  company to chat about your options. You need a
  professional opinion before you make any
  decisions.
• Dont just place an order. You need to do some
  careful evaluation first. Check your plants
  regularly to determine what issues you already
  have and the degree of infestation.
• Make certain you identify your pests carefully
  before you decide to introduce beneficial insects
  into the situation.
• Timing means everything. Beneficial insects have
  to be introduced when your pest population is at
  a medium strength. Throw one big fish into a
  barrel packed with tiny fish, and theyll eat him
  every time. You have to make certain your
  infestation rate isnt too overwhelming.
• Maintain a suitable environment. Your beneficial
  insects wont survive if the conditions arent
  right for them, so you have to make sure its as
  optimal as possible.

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Beneficial Insects to Consider

• So, which insects are going to be right to meet
  your needs? It depends a bit on what youre
  dealing with and what you might be dealing with.
  Some of the most popular choices include Green
  Lacewings, Praying Mantis, Ladybugs, Nematodes,
  and Minute Pirate Bugs.

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Green Lacewings to the Rescue

• Once they become adults, youll find them eating
  all of the finer things in life like pollen and
  nectar, but as larvae, theyre serious predators,
  and your garden could use their help. They can
  eat aphids by the dozen because theyre very
  hungry absolutely all of the time.

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Praying Mantis

• These guys are your rescue team unlike any other
  because theyre big enough to eat almost anything
  that comes their way. Theyre going to blend in
  very well with the rest of your garden, but
  theyre predators of the worst kind. Theyre just
  as likely to devour those ladybugs you ordered as
  they are to gobble up those caterpillars, so make
  certain you know what youre getting into with
  this order.

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Nematodes

• Also known as roundworms, these colorless worms
  are a great way to get rid of almost any pest
  youre fighting. They can manage infestations
  that many other pest control methods simply
  cant, and whether you need to fight tomato
  hornworms or root maggots, these are the ones you
  want to consider.

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Ladybugs

• Aphids are easily one of the single most common
  garden pests out there, and whether you have
  tomatoes youre trying to take care of or
  gorgeous decorative plants, the aphids will
  consume them. Ladybugs, though, can help.
• Historically, ladybugs have been a sign of good
  luck, and thats certainly true in your garden.
  They can eat up to a thousand aphids a day, which
  means a great harvest for you.

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Minute Pirate Bugs

• Theyre awfully tiny, but these are going to be
  able to protect your treasure unlike many other
  choices out there. They will eat aphids, mites,
  and thrips, and its possible theyre already in
  your garden right now, but youd need a
  magnifying glass to see them.

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Pest Control Experts

• The largest independently owned pest control
  company in Brevard County, we offer cutting edge
  solutions to help you deal with any of these pest
  problems. Contact us for more information.