Page 14 2026 Spring Home and Garden LINCOLN DAILY NEWS April 2026 Biological Management. The goal of biological management is to manage pests with natural enemies. There are several predatory species, parasites, and pathogens that can keep pest species in check. For example, parasitoid wasps lay eggs on the horn worms that damage tomatoes, so these are helpful wasps to have in the garden. Some of the best pest control comes from spiders. There are over 630 spider species in Illinois who catch prey with webs, ambush, jumping, and chasing. Native praying mantis, both adult and nymph, are predators who feed on virtually anything. Praying mantis are sometimes sold as biological control, but these are usually not native and not worth the money. Wasps provide regulating services as pest control and as pollinators. Solitary wasps are specialist predators and social wasps are generalists. Other predatory insect species, both generalists and specialists, include stink bugs (pentatommidae), assassin bugs (reduviidae), minute pirate bugs, damsel bugs, green lacewings, lady beetles, ground beetles, and syrphid flies (sweat bees). Gardeners can take steps toward biological management by creating a hospitable environment and healthy ecosystem that encourages predatory species to take up residence in the garden. Choose heavy pollen and nectar producing plants with a variety of flowers and shapes planted in clumps and with blooms all season. Choose flowers with small, open flowers with exposed nectaries. Try for two to three species blooming throughout the growing season, especially in the shoulder months. Both native and specifically introduced plant species can be good pollinators. Annuals such as zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, as well as sedum attract pollinators. When allowed to grow to flower stage, herbs have smaller flowers good for pollinators. Flowers that Americans consider “weeds” like dandelion, clover, purslane, and violets are important pollen and nectar plants, particularly in early spring. Trees can also be important pollinators early in the year. To encourage an environment where predatory species can thrive, provide habitat for nesting and egg laying with layers, patches of bare ground, dead tree trunks, brush piles, and access to mud. Provide protection from wind and weather. Grasses and sedges can provide habitat. Be willing to accept some plant damage in exchange for the work the predatory species will do. Some gardeners build or purchase nesting boxes for insects but note that nesting boxes may harbor parasites or diseases and should be cleaned periodically. As an additional note, research indicates that butterflies do not use the "butterfly houses” available for purchase at some garden centers. Chemical Management. The goal of chemical management is to manage with poisons in the form of insecticides and herbicides. Most pest problems can be effectively managed with cultural, physical, and biological control. Use chemicals only when absolutely necessary. Use selective products, know exactly what you are dealing with, and use only as much as the label allows. More is not better. Follow all usage directions on the label because the label is the law. If possible, rotate chemicals. Most importantly, pay attention to pre-harvest intervals. Do not apply poisons to produce meant for consumption later than advised on the label. There are both synthetic and biorational pesticides. Keep in mind that “natural” does not mean safe. Contact pesticides are used as coverage and residual poisons; Systemic
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