Beneficials in the orchard
Embracing natural pest control
A Little About Beneficial Insects
Beneficial insects play a vital role in healthy farm ecosystems by providing natural pest control, reducing the need for chemical inputs, and supporting crop productivity. While insecticides can offer short-term solutions, they often come with long-term costs—disrupting ecological balance and harming non-target species. Many growers are now recognizing the value of beneficial insects like predatory beetles, parasitic wasps, and hoverflies, which can suppress pest populations effectively and sustainably.
Some pests simply can't be managed effectively without beneficial insects. For example, parasitic wasps can target aphids deep within curled leaves, and ground beetles patrol the soil surface and root zones, feeding on cutworms, slugs, and other soil-dwelling pests that are otherwise difficult to reach. Hoverflies, lacewings, and lady beetles are also powerful allies against aphids, mites, and thrips.
Beyond crop protection, beneficial insects are self-sustaining. They don’t require special inputs or infrastructure—as long as your farm offers food sources (such as nectar and pollen), overwintering habitat, and protection from pesticide exposure, they’ll continue to contribute their services season after season, free of charge.
Natural habitat areas on the farm
Leaving large natural habitat areas undisturbed is the best practice to encourage pollinators and other beneficial insects, as it already provides both food and shelter. Natural areas act as windbreaks and provide soil stability. If there is a natural water source nearby, such as a pond or seepage area, the water can act as a temperature regulator, cooling the air during heat waves and reducing the severity of cold snaps. Natural areas also provide habitat for larger beneficial wildlife such as insect-eating birds and sparrow-eating hawks and falcons. (See more about Integrated Pest Management)
Encouraging Beneficials
Beneficial insects simply need safe, undisturbed areas with native flowering plants for food and shelter. Preserving large natural habitats is the most effective way to support them, but even in the absence of natural areas, creating insect-friendly spaces on the farm can make a significant difference.
Underused spaces—such as fence lines, field margins, or gaps between orchard or vineyard rows—can be transformed into productive habitat. Planting native shrubs, flowering hedgerows, or cover crops in these areas provides both refuge and a steady supply of nectar and pollen. While many beneficial insects are predators or parasitoids, they still rely on floral resources for energy, especially when prey is scarce. Wildflowers like sage, rabbitbrush, goldenrod, and yarrow, along with shrubs such as Oregon grape, wild rose, mock-orange, and willow, not only feed pollinators but also sustain key pest-controlling insects like hoverflies, lacewings, and parasitic wasps.
Structural elements enhance habitat value. Ground beetles and rove beetles thrive in leaf litter and mulch, while solitary wasps, spiders, and other predators may nest in hollow stems, rock piles, or old wooden structures. Leaving patches of undisturbed soil, woody debris, or brush piles helps support overwintering and nesting needs.
Even in crops where pollination isn’t a primary concern—such as vineyards—planting diverse flowering plants between rows and maintaining hedgerows can benefit predatory insects. These natural enemies often depend on nectar and pollen to survive periods when pest populations are low, and studies show they can live up to twice as long when flowers are present. By incorporating layered vegetation and structural diversity into the landscape, you create lasting refugia that support a healthy and resilient farm ecosystem.
In the Okanagan, there are two nurseries that specifically specialize in native plants:
Native Plants to Consider for Okanagan and Similkameen Vineyards and Orchards
Best Management Practices for Beneficial Insects
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Reduce pesticide use as much as possible. Low-intervention or spray-free should be the goal. Read more on Chemical Intervention and Integrated Pest Management
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If there are natural habitat areas on the farm, take care of them but also don't tidy the 'wildness'. Natural habitats need complexity to be functional.
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Provide full-season food. Pollinators and beneficial insects don't just come around when fruit trees are in bloom - they live on the farm all year round. Make sure there are always flowers blooming in and around the vineyard.
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Give them clean water. Ensure there is clean, unpolluted water somewhere near the orchard. Artificial water sources (troughs, pools, etc) need to have rocks or other resting spots above the water's surface so insects can land to drink without drowning.
Further Reading
The following resources are information-only. Find the Financial Assistance page here
A Haven for Beneficial Insects:
Native Plants for Pollinators & Beneficial Insects: Inland Northwest
https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/22-022_02_NPPBI%E2%80%94InlandNorthwest_web.pdf
Native Flora can Attract Beneficial Insects to Vineyards and Orchards
https://www.goodfruit.com/native-flora-can-attract-beneficial-insects-to-the-vineyards-and-orchards/
Native Plants Attract Beneficial Insects
https://www.goodfruit.com/native-plants-attract-beneficial-insects/
Beauty With Benefits
https://treefruit.wsu.edu/article/beauty-with-benefits-native-plants-for-beneficial-insects/
Native Habitat Restoration in Wine Grape Vineyards as a Pest Management Strategy
Review of Ecologically-Based Pest Management in California Vineyards
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5746791/pdf/insects-08-00108.pdf
How a California viticulturists uses biological control and cultural practices to combat pests.
Sown wildflowers between vines increase beneficial insect abundance and richness in a British vineyard
https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/afe.12538
Sustainability Certification for Vineyards & Wineries of BC Guidance Update:
Environmental Farm Plan Biodiversity Guide:
Sustainable Agriculture Strategy:
https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/environment/sustainable-agriculture-strategy