Often, when you feel that familiar sensation crawling up your leg, your initial reaction is to slap or squish whatever creepy crawler has made its way onto your body. Insects are the house guests we never invited over. They’re the burglars that never serve time. It’s easy to see a bug and assume it needs to be exterminated. But some bugs play a beneficial role in the ecosystem despite appearing scary and slimy. Instead of reaching for the fly swatter, it’s often better to let these helpful insects roam free, reserving your efforts for truly unwanted pests.
Which bugs are beneficial?
So how do you know if the bugs you see around your home are worthy of elimination or if you’ve stumbled upon one that you should keep around? Let us offer our insight. We've compiled a list of bugs that offer extraordinary benefits to us and our planet, which we hope will change your perspective on these often misunderstood marvels.
Bees.
You may not realize it, but a lot of the food you eat is owed to the hard work of bees. Pollination plays a pivotal role in agriculture, including the growth of many fruits, nuts, and vegetables. In fact, the USDA shares that bees pollinate about 75% of all the fruits, nuts, and veggies grown in the U.S. and one out of every four bites of food we eat is courtesy of the bees! Farmers have been known to collaborate with beekeepers to move millions of bee hives closer to their crop fields each year. So while you may see a bee and think only of its stinger, it’s important to keep in mind the overall benefits these buzzing bugs provide.
Spiders.
These creepy eight-legged critters may send shivers down your spine, but did you know they are secretly the silent heroes of the bug community? Spiders play an important role in keeping the ecosystem in check by preying on unwanted insects such as mosquitoes. Their eating habits help control the populations of the more insufferable species of bugs. Spiders also provide a great source of food for other animals such as birds and lizards.
Ladybugs.
Calling all gardeners- welcome in ladybugs! These small spotted creatures are great for helping the garden grow. Ladybugs are great sources of pest control as they eat aphid mites, which can cause harm to your plants.
Butterflies.
Similar to bees, butterflies are professional pollinators that help various crops grow. Because of the butterfly, you can fill your plate with many nutritious fruits and vegetables, and your trail mix can be scattered with all the nuts you desire! On top of their pollination skills, butterflies help regulate biodiversity by providing food for many crucial animals in the ecosystem such as birds, lizards, spiders, and mice.
Dragonflies.
For those who are constantly swatting and fighting mosquitoes for your cozy spot on the front porch, dragonflies are your best friend. These unique flying critters feed off of mosquitoes and other unwanted insects as well as providing food for beneficial creatures. Dragonflies are very particular in terms of their environment; clean water and stable oxygen levels. So, a flourishing dragonfly population is one way scientists can indicate if an area is healthy.
Dung beetles.
On theme with their name, dung beetles work well with manure by breaking it down and transporting nutrients into the soil. This is a vital link in the chain of agriculture and helps crops grow and thrive.
Praying Mantis.
Known for their majestic stature, these unique bugs are as beneficial as they are interesting. The praying mantis comes out primarily in the fall to eat an abundance of commonly hated insects such as mosquitoes and small mites or other plant-eating insects.
Lacewings.
You may not know them by name, but these clear-winged insects are common visitors in the spring and summer. Lacewigs are green flyers that often feed off of harmful bugs that go after crops and plants in our gardens. A friend to farmers and gardeners, lacewings provide a healthy sense of protection and pest control.
Earthworms.
Though not bugs, they fall into the same kind of beneficial category. These slimy superheroes are often viewed as gross but are vital to our ecosystem. Earthworms are able to fertilize soil and allow for trees and other vegetation to flourish. Charles Darwin claimed that earthworms are some of the most important creatures on the planet due to their crucial role in helping plant life grow.
How to get rid of the bad bugs while preserving the good ones.
At Wondercide, we’re all too familiar with the bugs that bother us and pose risks. Ants, roaches, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, fruit flies, and the list goes on. Simultaneously, we appreciate the good bugs that help pollinate the flowers and keep the ecosystem running smoothly. Pollination is crucial for keeping agriculture and plant life intact and you can play a part in conserving the magic. By planting certain flowers, you can attract pollinators into your garden while also adding some colorful pizzazz to your yard.
But how can you make sure the good critters don’t become casualties in the war against the bugs you don’t want?
Luckily, we have an answer. When you use any of Wondercide’s products such as the Outdoor and Indoor Pest Controls to help keep the bad bugs at bay, you’ll know you’re also keeping the area safe for the pollinators. Our plant-powered products are cruelty-free and the residue is safe for bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. It’s also best to spray the flowers when the bugs are not actively pollinating so you don’t disturb their process. Protecting these beneficial insects is a priority and we encourage everyone to fall in love with them too.
The insect community is vast and full of variety. Many innocent bugs get a bad reputation from the pesky crawlers that wreak havoc on our outdoor fun and sneak their way into our private sanctuaries. But the difficult truth is that our ecosystem is balanced by the existence of certain insects. Without particular species of bugs, we might lose other beloved and crucial animals, as well as lessen our crop yields. We encourage everyone to show their appreciation to these handy creatures by keeping them safe and welcoming them into all outdoor spaces.
