How to Create Habitat for Beneficial Insects
Yolanda Gonzalez, Urban Agriculture Specialist
Harvest New York
June 13, 2023
The How to Create Habitat for Beneficial Insects factsheet will teach you what attracts and keeps beneficial insects on your urban farm or garden.
Beneficial insects include a diverse collection of pollinators — not just honey bees — as well as flies, wasps, beetles, bugs and other insects that kill pests. While not technically insects, spiders and predatory mites also serve as natural enemies of pests. This factsheet was created by Amara Dunn, NYS IPM Program, with support from CCE Harvest NY.
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La hoja informativa Cómo crear un hábitat para los insectos benéficos le enseñará lo que atrae y mantiene a los insectos benéficos en su granja o jardín urbano.
How to Create Habitat for Beneficial Insects (pdf; 545KB)
Cómo crear un hábitat para los insectos benéficos (pdf; 524KB)
Upcoming Events
Urban Ag Food Safety Webinar
March 11, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Urban and small-scale producers are encouraged to join us for the Urban Ag Food Safety webinar, featuring speakers from Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell IPM. We will explore the 'why' behind food safety, providing a basic overview and diving into specific urban ag considerations including water, pest, rodent, and soil health challenges. We will touch on the regulation and marketing landscape, and share resources for learning more. Bring your questions!Announcements
Community Gardens Soil Testing Program Accepting Applications
Soil testing supports the growth and expansion of community gardens by protecting the health and safety of the food produced in these gardens. CCE Harvest NY, in partnership with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets (AGM) and the Cornell Soil Health Lab, is offering eligible, food-producing gardens in New York State the opportunity to send soil samples for testing without charge.The soil test will analyze samples for heavy metals and nutrient levels. Test results help gardeners make appropriate plans to produce high quality fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Technical support and education for participating growers will be available from the CCE Harvest New York team. Learn more about the 2026 Community Gardens Soil Testing Program.
2025 Year in Review
2025 was another year of growth and accomplishment for CCE Harvest NY! Our 2025 Year in Review highlights our impacts and details our work.- Farm to School Local Procurement by the Numbers
- Biochar in the NYC Urban Agriculture Landscape
- Harvest New York Supports Farmer-Led Research Advancing Upland Rice Production in New York State
- Community Garden Soil Testing Program Yields Great Results
- Regional Roots: Culinary Training to Enhance School Meals with Local Foods
- Rooted in Learning: Strengthening Farm to School Connections Across New York
- South Lawn Farm Expands Fresh Food Access and Urban Farming Opportunities
- NYS Summit Advances the Mushroom Industry
- Research to Manage Pests in Blueberries with Less Sprays
- Building a Research and Extension Hub at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- A Successful Community Garden Leadership Program Pilot
- Farm to School Events Deliver Education, Culinary Training, and Business to Business Opportunities
- A Trusted Source of Science-Based Information for the Cannabis sativa Hemp Industry
- Sustainable Pest Management for New York Urban Farmers
- Cultivating Resilience: Harvest New York Drives the State's Climate Goals Through Research and Outreach
- Expanding Agritourism Outreach Across New York State
- Coordinating City Agencies, Academia, and Community Gardens to Improve Urban Soils
- USDA Urban Agriculture Training Development Complete