Not all hover flies prey on pests Some harmlessly scavengerefuse from the nests of bees wasps and ants Othersassist decomposition by preying on decaying materials and some are pests of bulbs roo ID: 507618
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Hover Flies, Gardener’s Friendby Vera StraderInsects need all the public relations they can get, and flies need even more than most. The word “fly” usually inspiresthe thought of flyswatters andspray cans. Hover flies, however, are a gardener’s friend. Not all hover flies prey on pests. Some harmlessly scavengerefuse from the nests of bees, wasps, and ants. Othersassist decomposition by preying on decaying materials, and some are pests of bulbs, roots, and stemsthough these are rarely a major concern to the gardener. WELCOMINGHOVER FLIES TO YOUR GARDENAll in all, hover flies are among the most useful natural enemies of your garden’s pests. Here are three tools for making them at home inyour gardenFirst, put thfly spray and other toxics into retirement since hover flies, like other beneficial insects, succumbto pesticides. Instead employ Integrated Pest Management techniques, using the least toxicmethod to achieve reasonable pest control. Visit http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/menu.homegarden.html for info about numerous Integrated Pest Management techniquesor call Tuolumne County Master Gardeners at 209 Since many hover fly larvae pupate and overwinter in the litter and mulch surrounding plants, a layer of mulch is the second technique for encouraginghover flies to return in the spring. (Remember, mulch also helps reduce weeds and summer watering.) The thirdway to attract hover flies is with plants and trees flowering over a long season. Willows, grasses, and sedges that produce early spring pollen are especially helpful in controlling early outbreaks of aphids. AndI often see hover flies around many of my native plantsincluding California poppiesOther popular flowers include sweet alyssuma reliable old standby thatblooms almost all year long and reseeds itself with little help from the gardener. Cosmoswellliked, as are astersfor late season bloomIt’s a bugeatbug world out there, and hover flies are voracious warriorsin the bug armrace. Invite them into your garden to help makeyour gardening easierhealthier,and moresatisfying.Vera Strader is a Sonora Master Gardener who, over the years, has spent many hours “bug ing.”