07/22/2026
So many bugs in my garden and I don't know what to make of it most of the time! Hopefully, the good guys would multiply and the bad would just disappear is my mantra! 😍
🪲 Good Garden Bugs vs. Bad Garden Bugs –A Helpful Guide (with a couple notes!)
Sharing this fun chart that breaks down which bugs are your garden friends and which ones you probably want to manage. Ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, ground beetles, dragonflies, and bumble bees are all fantastic helpers that eat pests naturally.
On the flip side, aphids, Japanese beetles, squash bugs, spider mites, and others can do real damage to your plants. 
Quick personal note: I mostly agree with this chart, but I’m not a big fan of the praying mantis. They’re opportunistic generalists that eat whatever they can catch including beneficial insects and pollinators. They’re not purely “good” or “bad,” just nature doing its thing.
Also, “caterpillar” is pretty vague in the bad bugs section. There are tons of beneficial caterpillars out there that turn into beautiful moths and butterflies!
What are your garden allies and enemies? Have you spotted any of these in your yard lately? Share below! 🌱
