With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many of us are compiling mental lists of all of the amazing blessings in our lives that we are thankful for – including everything from our cozy homes, to plentiful food, steady jobs, and our loved ones. But what if we told you there are a few creepy crawlers you may want to add to that list?
While many pests like termites and bed bugs wreak havoc on our lives, homes, and families, there are some bugs that you should actually not mind having around every now and then. Leave it to your Dallas pest control experts to help you identify the insects to be grateful for and those you definitely do not want to stick around.
1. Bumble Bees
A severe bee problem around your home or business is undoubtedly a sign you need to hire a bee removal service – but bumble bees are actually extremely important to our lives and economy. So many of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy would not exist would it not be for pollination by bees. Livestock, another very common food source for us humans, is also heavily dependent upon bee-pollinated forage plants. The absence of bees would effect the quality, availability, and price of our favorite foods. To United States agriculture alone, the annual value of honey bee pollination can be counting in billions of dollars. No amount of human work or ingenuity can replace the work done by a bumble bee. Hence, this Thanksgiving, give a little thank you to the buzzing blessing so often taken for granted.
2. Dragonflies
Not only are dragonflies mesmerizing to look at, they also help us get rid of pesky, sometimes disease-carrying pests such as mosquitoes, midges, flies and winged ants. In fact, most dragonflies eat close to their own weight in mosquitoes each day. A little less blood-sucking by mosquitoes is certainly something to be thankful for.
3. Ladybugs
Ladybugs are as beneficial to the human species as they are adorable. The spotted beauties can rid an entire area of crop-damaging aphids, mealybugs and other destructive insect pests. Avid gardeners are well aware of the benefits of ladybugs as they keep harmful pests away and keep their vegetables, fruits, and herbs growing plentifully.
4. Spiders
Arachnophobia is one of the most common types of fear. However, many people do not realize exactly how much spiders benefit us as human beings. Spiders help us get rid of harmful insects such as roaches, earwigs, mosquitoes, flies and clothes moths. In fact, according to New York’s American Museum of Natural History, spiders are essential to keeping our food supply health and intact. A world without spiders would result in famine.
5. Preying Mantis
Consider the preying mantis a round-the-clock hunter protecting your home and garden. They feed on many of the same harmful insects as many other beneficial bugs in this list, such as flies and mosquitoes. Its large appetite will keep pests away from your plants and loved ones.
How to Attract Beneficial Insects
While it may seem a little crazy for a pest control company to be recommending ways for you to attract pests rather than repel them, bugs like the ones above help us with our jobs by keeping the destructive and harmful pests out of your home.
Plant a variety of nectar-producing flowers to attract bees. The more diverse the plant varieties, the more good garden insects will flock to your rescue. In addition, choose native plants over tropical flowers, as they will attract more good bugs. Baby’s breath, dill, feverfew, carrots, goldenrod, parsley, spearmint, sunflowers, and rose-scented geraniums are all good bug favorites.
Happy Thanksgiving from Buzzkill Pest Control
This Thanksgiving, give a little thanks and praise to the bugs who do so much to keep us healthy and safe. However, while there are plenty of insects to be thankful for, there are even more pesky insects you want to keep out of your home. If you have a bug problem that can’t be managed by these beneficial bugs, make an appointment with your pest control experts.