We Need Most Insects

The entire evolution of the planet can be traced back to the humble earthworm. It was their work that set in motion the cycles of oxygen, C02 and ultimately photosynthesis. See Amy Stewart's "The Earth Moved"

For us they are a barometer of how well the soil is doing. Although I have yet to find a reason for mosquitoes (Heh! there's plenty of other bird food out there) we do keep an eye on most of the crawling critters around here. There are a lot of them.

Rare butterflies, Luna Moths, Wolf spiders. Bumble Bees, Honey bees, Carpenter Bees are all leading indicators that maybe your neighbor isn't using pesticide.

We have learned from the bugs that our desires are not the most important thing in the universe.

We could get by without ever seeing too many bugs. But they are so vital to the circle of life that their absence would be devastating. Our wonderful "free range eggs" need insects for the protein. (Grain fed eggs are runny and flavorless.)

Dung beetles provide a wonderful service as they reincorporate the cow pies with the earth. (Another reason not to use pesticides).

Listen to the Bugs

Charles Walters in his wonderful work "Eco Farm" has noted that the presence of certain insects should not be seen as pests as much as an indicator of the poor nutrient level of the soil.

For example, he says "soils that support the cutworm are low in lime." ... "The corn borer will usually become a problem on lower humus level soils with a lower pH."

And he notes "Often insect problems are a consequence of toxic control measures used against other insects."

Given that pesticides not only do not work, but rather wind up in the food, we elect to feed the soil the nutrients it needs to fight the bugs.

We also try to grow plants with known "bug fighting" qualities next to treasured vegetables.

See little white eggs on your tomato worms? They are part of the life cycle of a bug killing wasp.

Tomato worms are so easy to to spot that you really don't need poisons. Besides, since you need to trim excess foliage for best production anyway, use them as cheap labor for grooming the plants.