12 Secret Ways Insects Keep Your Garden Healthy

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There is life, visible and invisible, in gardens. We’re so often fixated on the beauty of a bloom or the bounty of a vegetable patch, but there’s a whole backstage crew working around the clock to keep the show on the road. Among these unsung heroes are insects—creatures that many of us instinctively swat away. But they are usually the unsung heroes of your garden, fixing problems you didn’t even know you had.

Picture this: One morning you’re admiring your roses, blissfully unaware that a small, winged army worked through the night to defend them. While it’s easy to think of bugs as pests, many insects are nature’s helpers, working quietly to ensure that a garden thrives. Let’s give you a glimpse into the times they swooped in with no capes needed to save the day.

Cleaning up Waste

Creatures You Are Legally Forbidden To Remove From Your Home And Garden — Image Credit: James K. Lindsey/Wikimedia Commons

Have you ever wondered where all the decayed leaves and rotting wood go? And then enter the decomposers, ants and certain beetles. They are insects which break down organic matter to produce nutrients for them in soil. It’s as if you’ve got cleanup crew that is working hard 24 hours a day to keep your garden healthy, and they don’t need thank you notes.

Aerating the Soil

While earthworms can get all the soil attention, there are many insects that help maintain a healthy soil. For example ground beetles ants create spaces for air and water to flow through the soil by tunneling. The result is stronger, more deep roots. But it’s essentially free landscaping for the foundation of your garden.

Acting as Bodyguards

Some ant species protect plants from harmful insects, though it may be hard to see them in any other light than as troublemakers. For example, acacia trees in which ants reside tend off herbivores and even prune competing vegetation. They aren’t the most lovable insect, but they do work.

Spreading Seeds

Peony nectar that has certain ants attracted to it helps with seed dispersal. They return seeds to their nests and usually drop some along the way. This helps plants spread naturally, and in time, your garden will become fuller and lusher. A Science study revealed 40 percent of insect populations globally had declined, a worrying sign of how important they are to our existence—and our gardens.

Breaking Down Dead Animals

Dead wildlife is looked after by carrion beetles and other scavengers, as what could otherwise be a source of disease is also turned into nutrients for the soil. As nature’s undertakers, they keep your garden safe and sanitary.

Feeding Birds

Many birds are also part of your garden’s ecosystem and rely on insects for food. By supporting beneficial bugs, you’re also indirectly supporting birds that help control pests and spread seeds. It’s a give and take, where it works for everyone.

Providing Free Pest Scouting

If you’ve ever seen parasitic wasps flitting around a plant, chances are they’re looking for pests like caterpillars. They lay eggs inside a host and subsequently control the pest population once they find one. The whole thing is nature’s tactical warfare.

Balancing the Ecosystem

Diverse insect populations help maintain ecosystem balance. Herbivore insects are kept in check by predators such as spiders and mantises, so that no one species can get out of control. It’s just like having an invisible referee who makes sure the game is fair.

Pollinating Your Plants

Your garden’s plants may never bear fruit without pollinators like bees, butterflies, and even beetles. Pollen is transferred from flower to flower and helps plants reproduce. Almost 75 percent of flowering plants depend on animal pollination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When you bite into a juicy tomato or marvel at a sunflower, the next time you have a buzzing little friend to thank for it.

Priming Plants to Defend Themselves

For example, hoverflies not only pollinate, but they also lay eggs near populations of pests. The larvae feed on the pests when they hatch, which allows plants a better shot in the fight for survival. This is a double duty ally!

Recycling Nutrients

Dung beetles are not glamorous, but they are important recyclers of nutrients. Animal droppings are collected and buried, and broken down into fertilizer. Win win—the nutrients get to your plants and your yard gets a little cleaner.

Eating the Bad Guys

Ladybugs aren’t just pretty — they are voracious predators on aphids, mites and scale insects. In a day, one ladybug can eat up to 50 aphids! The ferocity of lacewing larvae is no different, with these munching on pests that would otherwise destroy your garden. These natural pest control warriors are tiny and save your plants from destruction.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.