There’s so much more to the world of beneficial insects than bees and butterflies (although we love those, too!). From pollinating your plants to keeping the “bad bugs” in check, beneficial insects are your garden’s unsung heroes. Here’s the best part - they thrive under the same conditions as your favorite pollinators. With a few easy steps, you can invite all your bizzy, buzzy friends to the garden party.

Avoid using pesticides as much as possible. Many insecticides don’t discriminate between good bugs and bad bugs. Spraying pesticides can kill the good guys and the bad guys.

We know it sounds counterintuitive. But beneficial insects need something to eat, and a small pest population is part of a healthy food web.

Native plants and grasses are the key. Even a pocket prairie—a small area planted with native species—can be a game-changer. Bonus points for no-mow areas, bee lawns, and eco-grow turf.

Minimal fall cleanup? You’ve got our permission. Leave plant debris until spring so insects have a cozy place to overwinter. Make sure to keep logs, brush piles, leaf piles, and bare soil patches for ground-dwelling critters to call home.

Insect-sized watering stations (like shallow dishes with pebbles) keep your garden buzzing. And when it comes to blooms, variety is the spice of life. Different insects prefer different flower shapes, so plant a wide range of flower shapes and sizes!

Also known as ladybugs, these beetles are garden icons. The Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle is Minnesota’s most common species. Though it’s not native, it’s an important predator in both gardens and agriculture. Be warned — they might try to sneak indoors for warmth in the fall!

Late summer stars, soldier beetles love pollen, nectar, and each other (hello, mating season). Their orange and black coloring mimics more menacing bugs, but they’re totally harmless—and great pollinators. Larvae overwinter in leaf litter, where they feed on eggs and the larvae of other insects.

Also known as hover flies or flower flies, these little dynamos mimic bees and wasps to stay safe - but they’re all buzz and no bite. Adults feed on nectar and pollen, while larvae go to town on aphids. Some species eat hundreds per day!

Another master of disguise, this fly looks like a small wasp but is all about peace, love, and flowers. Their larvae live in stagnant water, feeding on decomposing organic matter. Gross? Maybe. Helpful? Absolutely.

By creating a safe, diverse, and pesticide-free environment, you're giving these underappreciated bugs the perfect place to thrive. In return, they’ll help your garden flourish in ways you never imagined.

So this season, make space for the good guys. Build a brush pile. Skip the spray. Plant a pocket prairie. And get ready for a garden that’s alive with motion, magic, and mini pollinator parties.