I have to accommodate – I ’ve always had a fleck of a phobia when it comes to dragonflies .
There ’s just something about these flight creatures that gives me the heebie - jeebies – I ’m not trusted exactly what it is !
All I eff is that I ’ve never been affectionate of having them around .
However , after experiencing some pest return in my garden this class , I started to question if these insects might be worth keep around .
Here ’s what you need to know about using dragonflies for pest control in the garden .
Why Dragonflies for Pest Control?
Dragonfly nymphs prosper in freshwater , expend years in this stage before becoming adult . adult only live a couplet of month .
Most abundant in the summer , dragonflies are large louse that are enormously good in the home and garden . They are predators of dirt ball that can cause you all sorts of grief in the garden , such asmosquitoes , moth , and midge .
The average dragonfly ingest up to 15 % of its physical structure weight unit per sidereal day in insects – we ’re talking about things like horseflies , buffalo gnat , deerflies , and even termites in addition to the pests I bring up above .
They ’re nature ’s Orkin .
Dragonflies have excellent seeing and are oftenconfused with their diminished relatives , the damselfly . Adult dragonflies focus primarily on eat and pairing and bank on water for breeding . This is why you ’re more likely to detect them in wet country , like near wetland .
How to Attract Dragonflies for Pest Control
The easiest way to attract dragonflies is to provide them with the right kind of home ground . Here are some tips to help you attract snake feeder to get rid of the mosquito , moths , or other pests that are plaguing you this summertime .
1. Add Water Features
The good way to attract sewing needle to your lawn or garden is with water . skeeter hawk lay their eggs either in or near the water , which is also where their youthful hatch and develop into nymphs .
These fauna hold out underwater for months or eld before emerging . However , they do n’t need to be fully grown to make an shock . Even nymph are helpful , dine on the larvae of mosquito and other pests .
To attract dragonflies , count build a pond . you could also exploit with the water features you already have , making certain they are dragonfly - well-disposed .
Your pool does n’t require to be large or heavily maintain to attract dragonflies . It does n’t even need to have a filter . Just make trusted it ’s located in a spot that receives 5 or 6 hours of sun ( ideally midday sun ) and is somewhat protected from the breaking wind .
To be the idealistic dragonfly habitat , it should be shallow at the edge and 2 - base deep ( at most ) at its deepest . If a pond is too shallow , it can overheat or dry up . The deeper areas also protect dragonflies from marauder .
If you add your piddle feature , make trusted it ’s still . Dragonflies lay their eggs in still water supply , rather than impress urine .
2. Grow Water Plants
Aquatic plants , both those that are float , submerse , and grow at the water system ’s edge , provide a variety of benefits to dragonflies . They oxygenise the water and remove carbon copy dioxide . They can also offer rest and concealing places for young nymphs .
Not only that , but dragonflies will use the plants as “ brooding sleeping accommodation , ” placing their egg into the indulgent stems .
Taller industrial plant that poke up out of the water bring home the bacon sports for adults to perch and take care for spouse or food . The height is also great for nymph , who might call for to climb higher to complete the transformation process from nymph to adult .
Later in this spot , I ’ll give you some ideas of the beneficial dragonfly - friendly plants you’re able to grow to help oneself appeal them .
3. Provide Edging
While water plants grown directly in the pool are important for dragonflies , it ’s also essential to consider what you have going on around the sharpness of the pond .
darning needle are super territorial and will tail away or fight with aggressor . Even if you do n’t put plant life around the pond , adding tall features like bamboo stakes will help provide a post for the dragonflies to defend their sward .
4. Add Flat Rocks
A few matted rock’n’roll can be helpful around your pool , too . These will not only help the dragonflies defend their territorial dominion but will give them a spot to hang out and relish in the Sunday .
5. Keep an Eye on the Fish
Finally , if you sum a piddle lineament to your property , you must consider the other creatures that might be dwell it .
Do n’t introduce fish , duck , or frogs to your pond ( if it ’s man - made , of course – you might not have a choice when it comes to natural H2O feature ! ) . They ’ll eat the sewing needle and make it hard for the populations to thrive .
6. Beekeepers Beware
If you keep bees on your homestead , it ’s important to note that devil’s darning needle are alsobee marauder . They are carnivore who are pretty much indiscriminate in what they take to chow down on !
That does n’t mean that you ca n’t keep beesandattract dragonflies at the same time . However , if you ’re planning on install a water feature , like a pond , to pull in mosquito hawk , you may have to check that it ’s far away from your beehives to be safe .
Best Dragonfly-Friendly Plants
Here are a few of the best dragonfly - favorable works you could grow . Remember the best mode to grow these plants and to keep dragonflies ( and other beneficial insect ) safe is to avoid using plant food , herbicides , and other chemicals .
If you need to appeal dragonflies but are n’t super keen on building a water supply feature , do n’t occupy . The watch is a lean of plants that can help attract them to your property . While some are meant to be grown in or around water , many are common plants that might attract dragonfly prey ( and therefore , can appeal the dragonfly , too ) .
deal uprise a few of the following to encourage dragonflies to halt by for a sojourn :
If none of these suit your partiality , stop by and have a schmoose with your local cooperative extension . They should be capable to give you some recommendations on aboriginal plants in your domain that you may produce to pull pollinators , beneficial insects , and of row , snake doctor !
They may even be able to give you advice that ’s tailor to your unique dirt type and microclimate as well so it ’s deserving visiting them .
Do You Have to Have a Pond to Attract Dragonflies?
Although a pond or similar type of piss feature film can be helpful when it comes to attract dragonflies , it ’s not a dealbreaker if you do n’t have one .
There are a few other ways you may encourage mosquito hawk population . For one , get free of your bug zapper ! There ’s no need for this kind of repellant if you have sewing needle doing the piece of work for you .
Here ’s one more crucial fact for you to notice – if you ’re like me , and have an unexplained phobia of dragonflies , unstrain .
These creatures are n’t harmful in the tenuous – despite what many people believe , they do n’t burn or sting . So invite them to your garden without worries – even though they might look spooky , they can be a mass of help to any nurseryman .
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