Daily gardening tip · Southern hemisphere · Sunday 27 September 2026 · early spring
Control Pests Naturally with Native Shrubs
If you are worried about early spring pests, the easiest way to control them is by attracting the beneficial insects that eat them.
30 minuteseasywildlife
Identify a sunny area in your garden that has space for a new shrub.
Research flowering shrubs that are native to your specific local region.
Select two or three native plants that bloom at different times of the year to ensure a constant food source.
Plant your selected shrubs into the soil and water them thoroughly.
Avoid using chemical pesticides in your garden, as these kill the helpful predators along with the pests.
Why it works
Native flowering shrubs provide pollen, nectar, and habitat for beneficial predatory insects like ladybirds, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps. Once established, these predators breed in your garden and hunt common pests like aphids and caterpillars, creating a self-regulating ecosystem.
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