If you've spent most of your life fighting pests in the garden, it may sound like heresy. But the truth is, most bugs aren't bad. And without pollinating species, many times the business of plant reproduction just doesn't get done. For many, the only good bug is a dead bug, and the perfect garden is a garden devoid of all insect life-beliefs that pesticide manufacturers and spraying services are more than happy to promote.
Insects form one of the essential building blocks of the ecosystem.
Your own yard is actually an ecosystem-and insects provide the basis for supporting a host of other species in this little kingdom. Many birds depend upon insects. In fact, a flourishing insect population is one of the best ways to attract birds to your yard-especially unusual kinds that aren't normally seen at bird feeders like orioles and warblers. Mammals and reptiles rely on insects, too. By allowing benign and beneficial insects to flourish, you're supporting a complex web of invertebrates, birds, reptiles, and mammals-and this means you'll ultimately attract the most kinds of wildlife to your yard.