One of the most confusing pests for amateur gardeners is the hoverfly. These insects fly around flowers and plants and closely resemble their nasty cousin the wasp. This leads many to wonder just how to get rid of them. How can you eliminate them?
The short answer, don’t. Hoverflies are an essential part of the ecosystem and play an important role for gardeners. Flies are responsible for pollinating plants and working as a natural pest control.
Hoverflies are a unique insect often mistaken for their more dangerous counterparts because of their striped yellow and black bodies. These insects are also called flower flies or syrphid flies and eat a broad range of foods, including nectar and pollen. While they don’t mean you or your garden any harm, they can be an annoying menace for gardeners because they have a tendency to get everywhere and make it difficult to enjoy flowers.
One thing many gardeners don’t realize is that hoverflies are actually beneficial to a garden. They serve an important role in the pollination of plants and flowers and are one of the few insects that will work with any flower they come across. At a time when the world is currently experiencing the rapid depopulation of pollinators, eliminating hoverflies entirely can be bad news for a garden.
Because the hoverfly mimics natural predators like the wasp or yellowjacket, gardeners assume they sting. However, the hoverfly does not have a stinger and means humans and animals no harm.
If you would like to get rid of hoverflies outside despite the benefits, then the simplest method is to plant certain herbs that form natural repellents. These include common options like basil, bay leaf, lavender, and mint. Not only will they be effective, but they will also smell amazing and add a little extra greenery to the garden.
1. Traps: The easiest way to eliminate hoverflies indoors is by treating them like regular flies. Use pest control methods like ...2. Natural methods: If you are interested in more natural methods, gardeners and amateur pest controllers have come ...3. Insecticides: If you’re still struggling, you can also move to traditional pesticides like powders and sprays. These are highly ...
Although hoverflies look intimidating, they are actually one of the most beneficial insects to have in your garden. They have a similar function to bees and are capable of pollination and pest control.