Nurturing a garden is a point of pride for many homeowners. Yet it takes time, patience, and great care to maintain the space and ensure that pests don’t overtake the plants. By selecting the right type of vegetation for your yard, you won’t have to worry as much about this. At the same time, you should be aware of helpful pest control solutions and even about plants that can appeal to “good” insects. Here is what all gardeners need to know.

Which Plants Attract “Bad” Pests?

There are several popular garden plants that an appeal to insects that you wouldn’t necessarily want overwhelming your garden. Among the most popular are roses and sunflowers, which are commonly found throughout New Mexico. They may be attractive, but they can also draw spider mites, thrips, and aphids, all of which can cause significant leaf damage and affect the condition of the flowers.

Many common fruits and vegetables are also guilty of appealing to unwelcome pests. Tomatoes, for example, can draw aphids and whiteflies, which may cause damage to the leaves and the fruit. Fruit trees, from apples to peaches, can also appeal to spider mites and codling moths, and both can affect the integrity and health of the tree.  

Which Plants Attract “Good” Pests?

There are some plants, however, that don’t require pest control because they appeal to pollinators. They can also attract those pests that naturally take care of the harmful pests, protecting your garden in the process.

Among them are marigolds, which are popularly grown throughout the state and draw helpful insects like hoverflies, which fertilize plants through pollination, and ladybugs, which are natural predators that can take care of many of the bad pests that may overwhelm your yard, like aphids and spider mites. Dill is a useful herb that not only adds flavor to your meals, but also attracts pollinators.

If you seek a reliable professional for pest control in Hobbs, NM, turn to Taylor’s Weed & Pest Control. They offer a variety of lawn care solutions to ensure that your yard looks its best and stays healthy year-round, including wildlife and termite control, weed control, tree pruning, and more. Visit the website for more information, or call (575) 492-9247 to schedule an appointment.