Friends or Foes? Learn Which Garden Insects Help Your Plants at Free Texarkana Event

If you have a garden or a porch of potted plants, have you ever wondered whether the bugs in your garden are helping or hurting your plants? There is a free program in September at  A&M University-Texarkana that can help answer that question.

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The Bowie County Master Gardeners and A&M-Texarkana's School of Professional Education and Community Engagement are teaming up together to host 'Garden Insects: The Good, The Bad, & The Interesting' on Monday, September 14, beginning at 6 PM.

The program will be held in Room 326 of the University Building located at 7101 University Avenue in Texarkana, Texas. This program is free and open to the public. No reservation is required.

Learn Which Insects Help Your Garden in The Texarkana Area

The presentation will be led by Andrea Thomas, a Bowie and Miller County Master Gardener, who will discuss the important role insects play in gardens and landscapes.

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Believe it or not, a lot of insects provide valuable benefits. We know about Bees and butterflies. They help pollinate flowers, making it possible for many fruits and vegetables to grow. Other insects, including ladybugs and green lacewings, help control common garden pests by feeding on aphids, thrips, and other troublesome insects.

Know Which Pests to Watch For On Your Plants

Not all insects are garden-friendly. Some bugs like stink bugs and squash bugs, can damage plants by feeding on sap and taking away nutrients and water needed for healthy growth.

In this program, you'll learn how to identify common garden insects, understand the role they play, and recognize which ones you may need to get rid of.

It doesn't matter if you are a seasoned gardener or just getting started, the program offers a chance to learn more about the tiny creatures that can have a big impact on your garden.

For more information, contact the Bowie County Extension Office at 903-628-6702 or Tina Reed at Texas A&M-Texarkana at 903-223-3039.