Bugs are often attracted to plants for the same reasons people are, namely, they want something green and leafy to munch on. And while it might seem strange that plants attract bugs, it’s actually a fairly common occurrence. In this article we go into detail if plants attract bugs and why does that happen.
Do Plants Attract Bugs?
Yes, there are certain plants in the world that are magnets for bugs. They draw them with their bright colors and shiny leaves. Many of these plants are also fragrant and offer nectar, a sweet substance that attracts insects like bees and butterflies.
These plants, however, do not attract only those bugs that will pollinate them or make a nest among their leaves. They also attract other bugs, for example, some of which want to lay their eggs or eat the leaves of the plant.
Many plants that are popular with gardeners are in fact used as a food source by bugs, meaning they generally attract more than just a few bugs and that they can become quite a nuisance.
Why do Plants Attract Bugs
The answer to why do plants attract bugs is in their biology. Plants and insects share a great deal in common, living in communities and relying on one another for survival.
Just as some insects help plants by pollinating them, others provide protection from harmful pests or they may simply eat the leaves they need to stay alive. However, the relationship is not always harmonious and many insects are also drawn to plants by the promise of food.
Some plants, like milkweed and poison ivy, have a virtually exclusive diet of different insects. These plants can often draw groups of insects, known as a pollinator swarm, that are all related to one another.
This means they will often attack one plant while seeking food at others. So unless an insect is able to take care of itself while eating the plant, it will most likely be killed and drawn to other sources of food before becoming extinct.
What Plants don’t Attract Bugs?
Some insects will be repelled or even killed by certain plants. For this reason, a garden with weeds may be a safer option than one with an absence of plants altogether.
Control of the environment is also important when it comes to bugs and plants, especially for outdoor gardens. The watering of the plants should also be considered to avoid attracting bugs looking for water, and chemical pesticides can be used to kill off those that you want to get rid of. Some of the plants include Mosquito Plant, Aglaonema, Bromeliads, Cissus, Dracaena. and more.
How Do You keep Bugs Out of House Plants?
There are plants that are non-toxic to humans, but that can be poisonous to bugs. One example is the milkweed plant, which offers no real danger to people, but which can poison and kill bugs.
A fragrant plant such as citrus may not attract bugs as a rose would, but the scent might keep them from being near your other plants.
There are also various commercial sprays and solutions that can be used indoors or outdoors to deter insects from your plants. Some of these products are made from essential oils such as citronella and peppermint, which are extremely strong and should be used with caution.
use repellents to keep bugs away from indoor plants. There are certain plants out there that can be very harmful to insects and bugs.
In a perfect world, no bug would be able to survive outside of your home or garden. But in reality, they do exist, and thanks to their ability to fly, they have the potential to wander into your yard and come into contact with your plants. While some of them may not pose serious threats to your greenery, others will. so using available repellents to keep them off your plants is highly recommended.
Conclusion
There is really nothing that can be done to prevent bugs from coming into contact with your plants. Some gardeners will take steps to control and even eliminate pests from their gardens, but this would mean completely destroying the ecosystem of the natural environment.
In order for plants and wildlife, including insects, to live in harmony together, there must be a balance of survival on both sides. so if you have decided that you want to have a bug-free garden, you will likely need to use chemicals or other methods that can harm them.