Beneficial Insects in the Forest Garden:

Beneficial insects are a cheap, mutually-beneficial, and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. Bees are the most common beneficial insect due to their ability to help pollinate a Forest Garden and secondary benefits. Honeybees are commonly integrated into the Forest Garden known as great pollinators that also help farmers generate additional income through honey production.

Lady bugs and wasps are also popular beneficial insects. Lady bugs feed on aphids and many other insects that can infest a garden. And while wasps are beneficial in a Forest Garden as pollinators, farmers often welcome (if not introduce) them to their land for an additional reason – to hunt. Certain wasp species are predatory and will help keep unwanted pests around the Forest Garden under control.  Finally, though some may not like to hear this, brave Forest Gardeners will also welcome non-venomous snakes into their Forest Gardens as they prey on various pests including rodents, locusts, or even insect larvae!