Nature versus NATURE

Bugs blighting your garden? Keep pests under control the eco-friendly way

- BECKY DICKINSON

Our gardens wouldn't exist without insects. But that doesn't mean they're all equally welcome. If pesky critters are dining out on your plants, call in some reinforcements. Encouraging predatory insects into your garden is a great way to deal with pests without resorting to chemicals, since the 'good bugs' eat the 'bad bugs'. Time to roll out the red carpet for these VIPS (very important predators).

Lacewings

With their long green bodies and translucent wings, lacewings are a beautiful addition to the garden. Despite their delicate appearance, they're known as 'aphid lions' thanks to their voracious appetites for greenfly, red spider mite, whitefly eggs, mealybug, caterpillars and more. They are drawn to nectar-rich plants, tall grasses and perennials with open, flat flower heads. Lacewings can also be bought in egg form.

Ladybirds