{"id":167763,"date":"2025-06-30T05:00:43","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T09:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/?p=167763"},"modified":"2025-06-24T17:39:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T21:39:58","slug":"attract-beneficial-predators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/2025\/06\/attract-beneficial-predators\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Attract the 9 Beneficial Predators You Want on Your Land"},"content":{"rendered":"

Integrated pest management methods encourage attracting<\/strong> and hosting beneficial insect predators<\/strong> that keep common pests at bay. Learn how to draw them in and keep them on the farm!<\/span><\/p>\n

While spraying pesticides<\/a> on your farm initially has the desired effect, it\u2019s not the best long-term option. Instead, using integrated approaches that include cultural, mechanical, and biological controls is better, with insect predators as the primary beneficial force.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many of these predators feed voraciously on pest larvae, stopping them from reproducing and keeping their numbers low for good. You can certainly purchase some of these and release them in your garden, but they\u2019ll only stay for the buffet. They need plant hosts<\/strong> to call your farm home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thankfully, many native plants<\/a> are perfect for some of the best beneficials. Native plant species <\/strong>may even grow along the borders of your farm naturally. In that case, it\u2019s just a matter of fostering them and bringing them closer to your crops.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are 11 of the most amazing predatory insects<\/strong>, and the plants that host them. Plant some of these species (or better yet, a diversity of species) to attract these beneficial predators. All of these helper bugs will flourish with the right plantings, especially if you reduce or eliminate your use of pesticides.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoverflies<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Close-up
They buzz in for pollen, then stay for the pests.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These flies are all members of the family Syrphidae<\/em>. They may look like wasps or bees, but they are flies, and they feed on aphids<\/strong>, thrips<\/strong>, mealybugs<\/strong>, leafhoppers<\/strong>, and various larvae<\/strong> of slower-moving insects. Depending on the species, they look different, but many have <\/span>yellow and black stripes<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

They feed on nectar and pollen as well as the pests mentioned above. Adults lay eggs among masses of congregating pests and when they hatch the larvae get to work. Some pupate in the area where they\u2019ve been feeding, while others head to the soil to become adults.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The key to attracting these beneficial predators is to plant nectar hosts<\/strong> that bring in the adults. When they realize your farm is a good place to feed on nectar and pollen, they lay their eggs. Some of the best hosts for them are carrot family plants, like Queen Anne\u2019s Lace<\/strong>, dill<\/strong>, fennel<\/strong>, and coriander<\/strong>. Alyssum is another good one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The most common native plant they love to feed on is yarrow<\/strong><\/a>. You will find many of the bugs on this list adore this plant, and due to its widespread range, this is perhaps one of the best plant allies for your integrated biological controls.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tachinid Flies<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Close-up
Pest mummies in the garden mean nature\u2019s doing its thing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some predatory insects are parasites, and use pests to host for their young. The <\/span>flies in the Tachinidae<\/em> family<\/span><\/a> are one parasite it\u2019s good to have around. They\u2019re all tiny<\/strong>, under one inch<\/strong>, and most are gray or black. Some are bee or wasp mimics<\/strong>, similar to hoverflies. All of them have a bristly and shield-like appearance<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes adults lay eggs on pest-infested plants, and the eggs are eaten and taken in by the host. Other species deposit their eggs on or inside the body of pest larvae. The larvae of tachinid adults then parasitize the pest larvae and kill them, sometimes creating little pest mummies<\/strong> in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

These flies control various beetles<\/strong>, earwigs<\/strong>, grasshoppers<\/strong>, true bugs<\/strong>, and sawflies<\/strong>. They are some of the most important beneficial predators for your management arsenal. Attract them with native asters and rudbeckia<\/a>, as well as carrot and dill flowers. The composite flowers of yarrow attract them as well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Trichogramma Wasps<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Close-up
They work behind the scenes, stopping garden drama early.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tomato farmers have probably seen a hornworm with long rows of eggs sticking out of their backs<\/strong>. This is a result of the parasitic wasp from the genus <\/span>Trichogramma<\/span><\/i>. These wasps are so tiny, you may not see them moving around your tomato patch. But they\u2019re there!<\/span><\/p>\n

Topping out at just a few millimeters long, adult wasps are yellowish or brown with red eyes<\/strong>. Unlike tachinid flies, Trichogramma<\/em> wasps parasitize the eggs of various caterpillars, depositing their eggs within the pest\u2019s egg. Sometimes this prevents the caterpillar from hatching, and other times the larvae develop alongside the caterpillar, killing it in the process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have a healthy crop of cabbage, corn, and tomatoes, it\u2019s likely these beneficial predators are around, waiting to knock out some of the most damaging pests. These include corn earworm<\/strong>, cabbage<\/strong> moths<\/strong>, and tomato<\/strong> hornworms<\/strong>. Codling moths, pinworms, and other worms beware.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once again, yarrow brings the adults in and gives them a nectar source to feed on while they reproduce. <\/span>Composite flowers<\/span><\/a>, like asters<\/strong>, daisies<\/strong>, and chamomile<\/strong> are great attractors too. Mint family plants, specifically <\/span>Pycanthemum <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>Monarda <\/span><\/i>species are great native options. Plant Eurasian species in containers to prevent their spread and ultimate takeover.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Predatory Mites<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"A
Pest problems shrink fast when these mites set up camp.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you farm in a dusty and dry region, you\u2019ve probably dealt with a host of different mites. Spider mites and broad mites<\/strong> are common pests in veggie patches and in orchards. Varoa mites and bird mites<\/strong> are two that bee and chicken farmers need to be aware of. And every farmer has had their share of chigger bites.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Predatory mites feed on all of these guys<\/strong>. They\u2019re way too small to be seen with the naked eye (though if you look really hard you might see them), and they are probably already doing their thing on your farm. Each mite only feeds on a couple of pests per day, but they lay so many eggs they can knock out huge swaths of pests quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

A number of cultivated plants attract varying species of predatory mite. However, they also appreciate plants that have <\/strong><\/span>hairs and pits<\/a><\/strong> on their leaf undersides. Many natives fall into this category. This gives them a place to shelter from their predators. They are also attracted to a host of cultivated plants due to their tendency to have pestilent mites.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Predatory Thrips<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Close-up
They\u2019re small, fast, and surprisingly relentless with soft-bodied pests.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You have probably heard of thrips, and their tendency to silverize the leaves of various plants they feed on. Did you know there are predatory types? These thrips feed on small caterpillars<\/strong>, other thrips<\/strong>, aphids<\/strong>, and scale insects<\/strong>. They come from two types: sixspotted thrips<\/strong> (<\/span>Scolothrips sexmaculatus<\/span><\/i>) and <\/span>black hunter thrips<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Aeolothrips <\/span><\/i>spp.).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both of these thrips are less than 1\/15th of an inch long<\/strong>. They either have a dark body, or in the case of the sixspotted thrip, they have a light yellow body and three brown spots on each of their front wings. They are voracious beneficial predators that are particularly useful in orchards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bring them in with Gerber daisies<\/strong>, feverfew<\/strong>, marigolds<\/strong><\/a>, and sunflowers<\/strong>. Similarly, native asters<\/strong> are perfect attractants. <\/span>Bidens<\/span><\/i> species are a great option as well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beneficial Nematodes<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"There
Healthy soil draws them in like bees to bloom.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In areas where root-knot nematodes are a problem, a good treatment is beneficial nematodes<\/strong>. Applying these to soil in temperate seasons a few weeks apart is an effective control of certain beetle larvae as well. But what if there was a way to bring them into your garden?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As members of the roundworm group, these nematodes move around under the soil surface feeding on whatever they come into contact with. They do this either by waiting for the pest to arrive <\/strong>or hunting it down. The most common species are <\/span>Steinernema carpocapsae<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>Heterorhabditis bacteriophora<\/span><\/i>. There are other species available to farmers via the market as well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In areas where soils are healthy<\/strong>\u00a0and full of microbial life<\/strong>, good nematodes are present. Unlike the other beneficial predators here, you don\u2019t need to plant to attract them, but you do need healthy soils. Using compost<\/strong> on the farm instead of synthetic fertilizers is one good way to bring them in. Planting cover crops<\/a><\/strong> to enrich soil is another way. Mulching to protect your soil through extremes also helps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Green Lacewings<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Close-up
Tiny alligator lookalikes that wipe out aphids fast.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The larvae of green lacewings simply cannot be satiated! They must feed on soft-bodied pests<\/strong> incessantly \u2013 until it\u2019s time to become adults, that is. While ladybeetles are the number one aphid predators, these guys are likely number two. They gobble up colonies with ease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve seen little masses of eggs that look like they\u2019re suspended on silken wires, you\u2019ve seen lacewing eggs. The larvae look like <\/span>little alligators<\/span><\/a> with mandibles. Adults have a thin green body<\/strong> and transparent wings<\/strong>. There are numerous species, and these differ from the brown lacewing, which is a beneficial insect but not as useful for pest control.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re not trying to be redundant, but yarrow is one of the best hosts for this pest predator<\/strong>. Cultivated plants like dill, fennel, and cosmos are also good hosts. Asters, sunflowers, and coreopsis<\/a> are great natives and attractants. Verbenas are an excellent option.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pirate Bugs<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"A
Small but mighty hunters hiding in bark and leaf litter.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you have aphids, psyllids, whiteflies, thrips, or spider mites, minute pirate bugs are on your side. These bugs in <\/span>the <\/span>Orius <\/span><\/i>species<\/span><\/a> consume tons of these pests, and prey on eggs of other pests while they\u2019re taking out the nymphs and adults. They\u2019re ovular, and roughly \u00bd to \u215b of an inch, with wings that cross making an X shape<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As generalists, they feed on the pests mentioned above, but they consume almost any pest. They love to nest in leaf litter and bark<\/strong>, and often emerge first among other insects in spring. If you want to attract these guys, you can keep some areas of the farm natural. Have a few shade trees around, and you\u2019re set.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Plants that attract these beneficial predators include vetch<\/strong>, alfalfa<\/strong>, corn<\/strong>, and crimson<\/strong> clover<\/strong><\/a>. Natives like elderberry<\/strong>, willow<\/strong>, and goldenrod<\/strong> feed adults as they sip on nectar until they get to the next pest. Some pirate bugs bite people, but they don\u2019t cause more harm than a mosquito bite.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ladybugs<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Close-up
These spotted defenders munch pests all day, no complaints.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pro beneficial predator number one is everyone\u2019s favorite: ladybird beetles or ladybugs!<\/strong> There are so many species of either type present across North America, and they love to feast on tons of different pests in their larval, nymph, and adult stages. Mites, aphids, scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs are in danger when ladybugs are on the case.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a difference, however, between ladybugs native to the continent, and the Asian lady beetle<\/strong>, which is an <\/span>invasive species<\/a><\/strong>. The latter of these tend to infest homes and swarm, causing allergies in some people, and generally damaging structures when numbers are too high. They have a distinguishing M shape on the base of their heads. This is how you can tell them apart from native species.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The larvae of <\/span>the good guys<\/span><\/a> kind of look like green lacewing larvae, with an alligator-shaped body and black, yellow, orange, or blue coloring depending on the species. Adults have the characteristic red body<\/strong>\u00a0and black head<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ladybugs love milkweed<\/a>, which is a great boon to your farm, as it brings in and hosts monarchs, too. Look for a species native to your region<\/strong> for the best results. Coreopsis<\/strong> also supports ladybugs, and so do native coneflower species<\/strong> like <\/span>Echinacea<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>Rudbeckia<\/span><\/i>. In companion planting, sweet alyssum is a wonderful attractant, as well as dill and marigold.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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full_link<\/a><\/p>\n

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Integrated Pest Management on the Farm: An Overview<\/p>\n

\n

The most effective modes of controlling pests on a farm do not involve pesticides. In fact, the best control is prevention. Integrated pest management is an important way to keep pest pressure down and protect the land where your farm is situated.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Integrated pest management methods encourage attracting and hosting beneficial insect predators that keep common pests at bay. Learn how to draw them in and keep them on the farm! While spraying pesticides on your farm initially has the desired effect, it\u2019s not the best long-term option. Instead, using integrated approaches that include cultural, mechanical, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2074,"featured_media":167767,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":[],"meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[33067],"tags":[],"article-theme":[],"class_list":["post-167763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-farm"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Attract the 9 Beneficial Predators You Want on Your Land<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Find out how to attract and conserve the beneficial predators you want on your land!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/modernfarmer.com\/2025\/06\/attract-beneficial-predators\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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It was during my time at college that I began to delve into the relationship between humans and plants across the world. Over time, I learned to grow edible plants in my garden at home. That led me to fall in love with the Cross Timbers and Blackland Prairie ecoregions where I live. I spend a lot of time restoring prairies and learning about the native plants of North Texas. I also co-manage a community garden that sends donations to a local food bank. My goal in life is to educate and empower readers to grow practically, and along with their local ecosystems so they can achieve the gardens of their dreams. In 2022, I was certified as a Texas Master Naturalist. With that knowledge, I focus on invasive removal and habitat restoration at home. I enjoy growing wildflowers in my yard, and watching the wildlife benefit from those plantings. 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