Beneficials

 

There are 3 types of beneficial invertebrates; Predators, Parasitoids, and Pollinators.
There are many beneficial vertebrates that prey on insects and rodents and may also till the earth and add fertilizer. These include some small land animals such as moles, shrews, and skunks as well as flying animals such as owls and hawks.
Beneficial plants include cover crops such as clover and rye, which prevent soil loss, control weeds, add organic matter to the soil, retain nutrients near the root zone and provide a firm surface for equipment. Flowering plants can provide a food source for predators and parasitoids that eat pollen and nectar as adults. If these plants are not available a beneficial organism may not survive or stay long enough to control pests.
Plants rely on a complex community of microbes in the soil to decompose and mineralize organic matter. Some of these form symbiotic relationships with plants, increasing water and nutrient uptake and decreasing disease incidence.