Insects, animals, and plants - the world's cleaning crew

Did you know that just one small insectivorous bat can eat up to 2,000 mosquito-sized insect in one night? These nocturnal mammals are a much more environmentally friendly solution to pesky mosquitos than pesticides and bug-zappers. Find out more about using natural solutions to everyday annoyances at the links below:

Bat Conversation International Information about bats worldwide, FAQ, conservation, pictures, and plans for building a bat-house.

Dimensions for Bird Houses Not to be outdone by bats, birds are another excellent way to rid your homes of pesky insects. Build a bird house with these breed-specific dimensions.

Backyard Wildlife Habitat program Invite nature back into your backyard by building a wilflife habitat. This site will give you all the information you need to set up and maintain an inviting habitat.

Beneficial Insect Controls: In addition to bats and birds, you can employ insect predators to keep organisms under control. This is a list of common predatory insects:

Attracting Wildlife to Your Home: Whether you wish to attract bees, hummingbirds, lizards, or butterflies to your home, this site will give your guidelines on what each type of critter will need and how they can all benefit your home. There's even a link to making homes for those famous mosquito-eaters, Purple Martins, out of gourds!

 

Beneficial Insect
Controls
Green lacewings aphids, mealy bugs, thrips, spider mites
Ladybugs aphids, Colorado potato beetle
Praying mantis almost any insect
Ground beetles caterpillars that attack trees and shrubs
Parasitic nematodes (tiny worm-like organisms) grubs, beetles, cutworms, army worms
Trichogramma wasp (small, non-stinging wasps) corn borer, cabbage looper, other worms
Seedhead weevils and other beetles weeds