Beneficial Insects | Belvidere

Not all insects we find in our gardens are pests. In fact, most aren’t pests at all. Across the world, 95% of all animals are invertebrates, and 80% of those are arthropods—a fancy word for bugs. That includes spiders, crustaceans, centipedes, millipedes, and insects.

 

 A few surprising facts:

75% of all animal species are insects

900,000 insect species are known—compared to just 5,416 mammals

For every human, there are 1.4 billion insects

Total insect numbers exceed 10 quintillion

 

Many insects act as natural enemies to garden pests, pollinate our plants, and help keep ecosystems balanced. While some beneficial insects can be purchased, simple changes in how you manage your landscape can make it far more inviting to these helpful creatures and keep them around long‑term.

 

During this program, you’ll learn about:

Why beneficial insects are essential

How to identify garden-friendly bugs

Landscape practices that attract natural enemies

Ways to support insect diversity in your yard

 

Join us and discover how to make your garden a welcoming home for the insects that help it thrive.