Garden insects include a wide range of organisms that live on, around, or beneath plants. They include beneficial predators, pollinators, decomposers, herbivores, and insects that have little direct effect on plants. A healthy garden normally contains many different types of insects performing different ecological roles.

Beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, bees, dragonflies, mantids, and predatory beetles can contribute to pollination or natural pest control. Other insects help break down organic material or provide food for birds, amphibians, reptiles, and other wildlife.

Common garden pest problems include aphids, whiteflies, thrips, mealybugs, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and leaf-eating beetles. Damage may appear as holes, curled leaves, yellowing, sticky honeydew, distorted growth, damaged stems, or missing foliage. However, the presence of an insect does not automatically mean that treatment is necessary.

Good garden management begins with regular inspection. Examine both sides of leaves, young shoots, stems, flowers, and the soil around plants. Encourage beneficial insects, keep plants healthy, remove severely damaged material when appropriate, and use targeted control methods only when pest populations cause significant damage.