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Not being able to get rid of irritating insects may result in prolonged damage to your garden.
This is why experts are urging green-fingered Brits to welcome dragonflies in their garden to be their natural pest control. These insects are one of the most capable and graceful ways at natural pest prevention, keeping disgusting flies and mosquitoes under control.
Now you may be wondering how to attract these amazing pest hunters to your yard. Well our garden experts here at BillyOh have compiled these tips on how to attract dragonflies to your garden for keeping plant irritants in line.
5 Ways to Attract Dragonflies to Your Yard:
According to scientists, dragonflies are great for controlling mosquitoes’ population. Just a single dragonfly can eat thirty up to hundreds of mosquitoes a day. But since they are sensitive to air polution, it’s best you take care of your environment.
Some of the tips that may allow you to attract dragonflies include having a water feature, having a variety of rocks, and avoiding harmful chemicals. Producing an environment for dragonflies to survive is a natural alternative to harsh chemicals.
1. Build a Pond
Deep water is dragonflies’ sanctuary from their predators. You may build a pond with a range of vegetation for their food and shelter. The water should be in different depths to have a fluctuating water temperature for them. On the other hand, if you will not be able to add a pond in your garden, you could install different water habitats such as a fountain or other types of water features.
Aside from dragonflies, a ready supply of water in your yard can also help your local wildlife thrive.
2. Introduce Plants
Having a variety of plants around the pond can give the dragonflies more chance to thrive. Swamped plants are needed to provide the baby with dragonflies a place to rest and eat.
Also, floating plants are necessary for female dragonflies to have a place to lay their eggs. Surrounding them with plants will help them hide and hunt around.
If you want to attract larger animals to your garden and make it a wildlife haven on the other hand, you can consider shrubs and climbers.
3. Variety of Rocks
A wide range of rocks will help the dragonflies keep their body temperature as they are cold-blooded insects. They land on these rocks to control their body temperature, so make sure to have different coloured rocks, and enjoy seeing them basking in the sunshine.
Darker rocks radiate heat, and light coloured rocks attract a cooling sensation.
4. Avoid Chemicals
Pest control chemicals cannot identify good and harmful insects. Thus, avoid using some because the chemicals can get its way into the pond and kill the dragonflies and their nymphs.
Aside from saving the dragonflies and promoting green gardening, you can also spare the spiders that keep bugs away from hamrful chemicals.
If you’re interested in alternative ways to help the environment check out these homemade weed killers that are less harmful to the environment.
5. Predators
Decide on what could be your main natural pest control because fish, frogs, and ducks can also lessen your pests in the garden.
Why dragonflies are great as natural pesticide
The wider wings and huge eyes of dragonflies make them an efficient visual predator of your insect nuisances in the garden. They hunt by sight and are most active and seen during sunny days. A swarm of dragonflies are usually seen over parking lots and ponds indulging mosquitoes.
They can also be seen on branches and stems waiting for flies to come by. So, next time you decide on whether to kill a dragonfly in your garden, consider how often it eats mosquitos which may be a danger to your health. Probably a better idea to start saying a ‘thank you’ for helping you control the pest in your surroundings instead.
Grow a butterfly garden next to welcome more wildlife in your backyard. Both dragonflies and butterflies are probably one of the beneficial and coolest animals you’ll ever see!
What do you think ?