Question
Is there one single beneficial insect that is best? Or do you have to get a lot of different ones?  If so which ones?
-------------------------

Followup To

Question -
I seem to have been disconnected so I apologize if this is a repeat question. I have a question about beneficial insects. My husband raises the point that once the insects, such as ladybugs, are released, there is really nothing to keep them on our property. This seems to make no sense to either of us. How does one handle this problem? These insects fly and there is no way to keep them from leaving and going into the neighbors' yards. Thankyou.

Answer -
Good question, one my dad asked about 10 years ago when he saw me sprinkling a box of ladybugs at the base of a Rose bush and could not stop chuckling.

With the best dinner in town, what reason would those ladybugs have to leave my house?

I even kept some aphid-infected tall weeds up at the back this year to keep the dragonfly population and the ladybugs comfortable and well fed.

I have not used any insecticides at all, and that includes Organic insecticides - horticultural oil is a big thing now.  It won't be needed with these dragonflies and ladybugs running around all over the place.  Even I am amazed at the number of happy good bugs we have this year.  Two stars for me.

I do remember sprinkling them in the dark, per the directions.  I nearly bought a bag at Hicks this year but decided to see if I would really need any.  Sure 'nuf, no aphids on the Roses, no bugs at all this year whatsoever.  That's because at least some of the hungry ladybugs and dragonflies have moved in to take up permanent residence.  With all the chemical-addicted neighbors, they are safest here.  Lots of birds too.  I'm putting out bird seed and watering the birdbaths to make sure they are well fed.

I understand your reluctance.  Frankly, if you have been spraying anything around your house, you ought to give the Ladybugs more time - don't order any this year, so you don't end up killing them all.  If you have a bug problem, next time call in the Ladybug patrol and let them handle the work.

Answer
I can tell you that Praying Mantids eating every moving thing but the kitchen sink. They are like the nuclear weapon of the garden, organica's answer to napalm. They eat ladybugs, predatory wasps and everything else they can get their claws on.  They are reallllly scary.

But they are also totally amazing.

Because ladybugs breed so prolifically in our garden, I have to say I am partial to them.  But they don't eat everything. Just the things in my garden.  And believe me, they are excellent.

That's the short answer.  For the long answer, feel free to ask.

My vote goes to the Ladybug.