Not every bug is a pest

Florida’s warm climate keeps insects active all year, but many of them are helping you. Beneficial insects and spiders eat the pests that damage gardens and lawns, and some, like dragonflies, eat mosquitoes. Knowing who’s on your side helps you avoid treating what doesn’t need treating.

Common beneficial insects and spiders in Florida yards

• Lady beetles (ladybugs): adults and larvae eat aphids and other soft-bodied plant pests.
• Green lacewings: their larvae, nicknamed aphid lions, eat large numbers of aphids and other small plant pests.
• Parasitic wasps: tiny, stingless-to-people wasps that lay eggs in pest insects such as caterpillars, cutting down pest populations over time.
• Dragonflies: strong fliers that hunt mosquitoes and other flying insects; they’re drawn to native aquatic plants near water.
• Spiders: not insects but arachnids, and some of the best general insect controllers in any yard.

How to support beneficial insects

1. Plant a variety of native flowering plants.
2. Use pesticides only where and when they’re needed.
3. Leave some undisturbed areas for beneficial insects to shelter.

DNR’s approach

Some pest problems still need a professional. DNR targets the pests causing the problem while protecting the beneficial insects that keep Florida yards in balance. Call 727-594-0404 or book a free consult.

Related pest spotlights: Spiders and Mosquitoes.

FAQ

Will pest control kill ladybugs and other good bugs? Targeted treatments focus on problem pests and the areas where they live, which limits the effect on beneficial insects.

Do dragonflies really eat mosquitoes? Yes. UF/IFAS Extension agents recommend attracting them as part of a natural approach to mosquito control.

Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Mosquitoes: What Works and What Doesn’t. Reviewed by Ricky Williams, Certified Operator in Charge.