When we spot bugs in our gardens, our first instinct is usually to squash, spray, or shoo them away. But what if I told you that some of those creepy-crawlers are your garden’s best allies? Not all bugs are bad—in fact, many are vital to keeping your plants healthy and your garden ecosystem in balance.
Here are 12 garden bugs you should NEVER get rid of, and why they’re more helpful than you think.
1. Ladybugs (Ladybirds)
Why They’re Essential
Ladybugs are voracious eaters of aphids, scale insects, and spider mites—some of the worst pests in a garden.
Fun Fact
A single ladybug can eat up to 5,000 aphids in its lifetime!
2. Lacewings
Why They’re Beneficial
Lacewing larvae, also known as “aphid lions,” consume soft-bodied insects like aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs.
Pro Tip
Planting dill, fennel, or yarrow will attract lacewings naturally.
3. Praying Mantises
Why They’re Powerful Predators
These green or brown bugs are stealthy hunters, feasting on caterpillars, beetles, and other insects that harm your plants.
Caution
They’ll eat both good and bad bugs, but they help keep populations in check.
4. Ground Beetles
What They Do
These nighttime warriors roam the soil and mulch, eating slugs, caterpillars, and root maggots.
Bonus
They also help break down organic matter, improving your soil health.
5. Hoverflies (Syrphid Flies)
Why They Rock
Adult hoverflies pollinate flowers, while their larvae devour aphids and other sap-sucking pests.
How to Attract Them
Grow herbs like oregano, thyme, and coriander to invite hoverflies into your garden.
6. Spiders
Yes, Really!
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