People wait out the long winter months dreaming of the lazy days of summer to arrive.  When it finally comes, it brings with it, BUGS!  Lots and lots of BUGS!  If it creeps, crawls or flies, it is usually referred to as a bug.  Just the mention of the word can cause people to run for the “bug spray”.  Before you are tempted to squish, squash, or turn your yard into a toxic waste dump ask yourself if the offending insect is a friend or a foe.  Is it a beneficial bug, or is it just there to suck the life out of your prized rose bush? How do you tell the difference?

There are many resources available for the purpose of insect identification.  There are entire books on the subject, nurseries are a wealth of information or the Internet can be utilized.  The Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Office can be contacted with questions and you can bring in a sample of the insect and effected plant to the Larimer County Master Gardeners between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.  Once you have identified an insect you can research its life cycle, feeding habits, predators and control methods.  Many insects go through metamorphosis or change.  They start out as an egg, then change into larva before changing into their final form.  The eating habits and control of the insect can be completely different depending on its stage in the life cycle.  For example, a caterpillar changes into a butterfly and the caterpillar is usually the most destructive form of the insect.  It is also good to remember that not all insects are in need of control. They play an important role in the ecosystem of your yard helping in plant pollination (bees aren’t the only creatures that do this), help to break down nutrients in the soil and some eat destructive insects.

One of the most abundant insects is aphids, there are several hundred species of aphids that can strike any number of flowers, vegetables, trees and fruits.  They stress plants by sucking out sap when feeding.  Some have toxic saliva that can injure plants and they can spread viral diseases that can cause more injury than the aphids themselves.  Several species of ants tend and protect aphid eggs from their attackers in order to collect “honeydew” the sugary byproduct of aphids and some other insects.  Take a close look to see if ants are tending the aphids. To control the aphids you might also have to control the ants.

Beetles are another insect group that can cause a lot of damage to plants both in their larval and mature stages.  Mexican bean beetles, striped cucumber beetles, Colorado potato beetles, and blister beetles are some of these.  Lady bugs are beetles that are useful as a biological control for other insects but if you purchase them to release in your yard keep in mind that they scatter and might not stay where you need them for long.  Caterpillars are another destructive group that can strip plants pretty quickly as they prepare to become moths and butterflies such as black swallowtails and the dreaded miller moths.

Spiders should be a welcome sight in your yard for they are great hunters and help in the control of destructive insects.  Bees are the major pollinators of the bug world and this includes honeybees, leafcutter bees, mason bees and bumblebees.  Be careful when using pesticides as you can poison the good insects along with the bad ones.  Poison can be carried by bees back to their nest injuring other bees.

By doing your homework you can insure that you are not harming any beneficial insects in your yard or garden.  This will help you to maintain healthier plants.  The next time you see a bug munching on one rose bud understand that he has a larger role to play and you might just decide to let him go on his merry way.

Q:  What can I do to attract hummingbirds, birds and butterflies to my yard?

A: There are several ways to attract 'hummers' to your yard.  One is by putting out feeders that are designed to attract the birds. These need to be cleaned out weekly and refilled. The other way is by growing plants in your garden that they like. Hummers prefer 'reds' to other colors.  They like petunias, bee balm (Monarda), penstemon and honeysuckle to name a few.

Birds, like humans, need water, food and shelter in order to survive.  Birdbaths or water features can supply the needed water.  Food can be provided either in feeders or through plants with edible berries.  Trees or birdhouses offer perfect shelter.  By providing these essentials you will have birds flocking to your yard in no time.

Butterflies require the same basics as birds; food, water and shelter.  The food can come from the blooms of various flowers or they even like overripe bananas.  You may not think that they need water but they do.  Butterflies love a shallow bowl with a few stones in the middle and a small amount of water.  They will land on the stones and actually bask in the sun.

If your apple trees aren't setting fruit despite surviving a late frost, you may need a "pollinator."  When summer heat gives way to cooler temperatures, plant another variety of fruit tree for cross-pollination.

For those of us that prefer nonchemical insect control, look into Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). Bt is a naturally occurring bacterium used to control insects such as cabbage worms, hornworms, tent caterpillars, fall webworm, leafrollers, blackflies, fungus gnats, potato beetles etc.

To continue sowing lettuce greens throughout the summer, try sowing the seeds among a taller crop that will shade them from afternoon sunlight or try row covers. Different types of row covers filter intense sunlight, and/or moderate temperatures by a few degrees, keeping soil moister and plants a little cooler. Row covers can also be used to slow the bolting of spring greens.

Cut back seed heads and fading leaves of perennials that have finished flowering. This will encourage a new flush of healthy green foliage.

The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.

Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.

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This page updated:  August 18, 2003