If garden pests are not a problem gardening is so much more enjoyable. When toxic sprays and chemical are applied to plants, it never good for the environment, not to mention the health risk to humans and pets. There are a number of beneficial predators you can attract to your garden that are just as effective as any harsh chemical spray.

Some of these garden allies live within your garden already killing garden pests that harm plants and crops.  Two types you may already heard of are toads and frogs. Both have always been attracted to gardens.

To entice these critters to call your garden home add a small pond, birdbath, or waterfall. This is something they will enjoy and will give them reason to stick around all year.

Toads and frogs are effective at controlling garden pests from getting out of control and devastating your garden plants. The Ladybug and Green lacewing are two beneficial insects known to feed on aphids and other pests.

One green lacewing can eat 200 aphids in a 3-week period of time. To get more of these friendly bugs to your yard, you can buy a food source from a garden nursery. You also can buy these bugs directly from suppliers found on the Internet.

The use of ground beetles is another way of getting rid of garden pests. During daylight hours they hide beneath rock and other yard debris. At night they emerge to feed on cutworms, slugs, snails and other unwanted pests.  To encourage ground beetles to call your garden home, place some large stones where they can hide under until feeding time.

Birds are another effective way to keep pests out from your garden. Birds feed on caterpillars, slugs, snails, grubs and aphids to name a few. Placing bird feeders, baths and houses are an effective way getting birds to stick around your yard.

Providing water and food year-round is sure fire way of attracting beneficial predators to your garden.  Once in your garden they do the dirty work of eliminating garden pest from plant and crops. Unlike most chemical sprays, the use of these predators does no harm to the environment or put your health at risk.