Beneficial insects and spiders prevent or limit pest problems in our yards. Predators, such as ladybird beetles (lady bugs), lacewings, and spiders, eat harmful insects. Certain flies and wasps are parasites and kill aphids, caterpillars, and woodborers. Save these valuable garden friends by using pesticides only if you have tried all other methods. Choose the least toxic, most selective pesticide for that specific problem. Spot treat rather than spray. See CSU Fact sheet 5.550 on beneficial insects.
Side-dress: To scratch fertilizer into the soil around individual plants or along rows of plants.
