Don’t let their adorable size and cute polka-dot patterns fool you, ladybugs are amongst the fiercest predators in your garden! They’re one of the best beneficial bugs to have around, as they prey on common plant-eating pests.

Mealybugs are easily identified by the white, cotton-like residue they leave behind. These garden pests hide in the nooks and crannies of plants’ stems and underneath leaves, sucking the moisture and nutrients right out of them.

Japanese beetles are garden pests that munch on plant material, like leaves and flowers, from the outside in—leaving only the veins behind. What makes them so harmful is their hard outer shells that allow them to resist many pesticides.

During their larval stage, lacewings feed on all sorts of common garden pests. In fact, lacewings are often introduced to pest-infested gardens as a means of natural pest control! Although adult lacewings might look a little scary, they’re harmless to humans and won’t bite.

Aphids are small but mighty pests that suck the juices right out of plants, causing them to wilt and eventually die. On top of that, they also secrete substances that promote fungal growth and attract ants. Aphids adapt easily, reproduce quickly, and can do a lot of damage if they’re not properly controlled, but ladybugs eat them right up!

Not only are they neat to examine and observe, but Praying Mantis are great for controlling some larger pests in your garden, like moths and crickets. Their unique shape makes them exceptional hunters!

Ever since the ‘Save the Bees’ movement came into the spotlight, many people have gained an understanding of their importance for pollination and supporting our ecosystem. What makes Mason Bees particularly important is that, unlike Honeybees, they’re solitary bees who dedicate their lives to pollinating, and are MUCH more efficient at it.

Although they’re commonly found on houseplants, scale insects can also burden fruit trees and many ornamental shrubs and trees. Presenting as immobile, soft or hard bumps on stems and leaves, sap-sucking scale insects can be hard to identify. However, you’ll definitely notice the damage when plants begin to weaken, turn yellow, and drop leaves.

Ok, this one might have tricked you. When you’re covered in itchy fly bites, it’s hard to admit that mosquitoes can be a beneficial presence in your yard! Although we could do with less of the females (they’re the ones who bite), male mosquitoes actually don’t bother humans and are important pollinators. Plus, they serve as a food source for other beneficial insects, as well as the local birds.

Despite their slow movement, slugs can do quite a lot of damage. Not only do they feed on leaves and stems, but they also spread disease from plant to plant.