Caterpillar hunter Ground Beetle searching in the Sedum.
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My IPM (integrated pest management) system consists of, among other things, a healthy, compost enriched soil, careful observation, hand picking pests, and growing plants where they fare best. That means planting shade lovers in the shade, sun lovers in the sun, dry soil plants and moist soil lovers where they belong, etc, etc. Beneficial insects (ladybugs, lacewings, etc.), toads, snakes, birds, and a host of other garden inhabitants do their part without being asked.
I don't use pesticides for pest problems because I feel they are detrimental and I don't have many pest problems. When I do encounter an obvious issue, I use only organically approved products which break down rapidly and harmlessly in the environment. Dish detergent and water in a spray bottle is my go-to choice, followed by horticultural oil and neem. Last season aphids were problematic on both Asclepias (Milkweeds) and Heliopsis. They were perhaps worsened by my negligence in dealing with them sooner. Here's a few of my helpers. |
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Young Bluebird about to take her maiden flight. I've been fortunate enough to witness several broods of Bluebirds and other species of birds leave the nesting boxes I made and set up for them.
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Garter snake. Sorry, I like snakes, and I've picked up a lot in the last 60 years. Luckily Maine is the only state with no poisonous snakes.
Female Praying Mantis staring at my camera. One of my favorite insects since I was a little kid.
Mother (or father) House Wren going for another food run for the youngsters. It's amazing how many caterpillars and other insects these little birds will capture in a day.
One of a number off species of dragonflies that patrol the skies above my gardens. Looking for a mosquito I hope.
Who doesn't like dragonflies?
Who doesn't like dragonflies?
Pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea in my bog garden. They really have a negligible effect on pests, but they are beautiful and a nice conversation piece.
A weasel in its wintertime apparel, known as an ermine. They help keep down the numbers of mice, moles and voles. In the last year, voles and mice have become epidemic, so I'm glad to see this guy around.
An Ichneumon wasp showing its long ovipositor tail which it uses to drill into plant material and deposit its eggs into a caterpillar.
Probably the best known beneficial insect, the Ladybird Beetle or Ladybug needs no introduction.
The Spatulate leaved Sundew, Drosera leucantha in my bog garden. Like the Pitcher Plant, this carnivorous plant has a negligible effect on insect pests in my garden, but it does look cool, doesn't it?
I recently built and installed this birdhouse 20 feet in a tree in a swampy forested area near my house. It's for the Barred Owl, Strix varia, a common owl in Maine that eats mice and voles among other things. Mice and voles have become rampant recently, and I hope some nearby owl (I hear them frequently) will take up temporary residence.