Did you know that all pests have at least one, if not many, natural predators and that it’s possible to introduce good bugs to your indoor garden? Greenhouses have successfully used such biocontrols for years. Release ladybugs indoors and watch them dine on troublemakers like mealybugs. Such colorful inhabitants also make for great conversation when guests drop by.

Beneficial insects are generally divided into two categories: predators and parasites. The ladybug (ladybird bettle) is probably the most recognizable predator. It and its larvae, which resemble alligators with black and orange spots, greedily feed on a variety of soft-bodied houseplant pests, including aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. The ladybug known as the “Crypt” (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) is your top choice for the indoor garden.

Beneficial parasites, on the other hand, don’t directly consume a pest. Instead, they take up residence inside of an unwanted bug, feeding off of its innards as they reproduce. A good example is the mealybug parasite Leptomastix dactylopii. This tiny wasp lays its eggs inside of mealybugs. When the eggs hatch, the wasp larvae completely consume the mealybug.

For more information on common houseplant pests and their biocontrols, consult Indoor Gardening the Organic Way.

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