The National Pesticide Information Center estimates that only 3-5% of all insects worldwide can be considered pests.

PBS Wisconsin and our 2025 Garden and Landscape Expo partner, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Horticulture, offer these resources to help you further understand and appreciate the significant roles insects play while crawling through or buzzing around your garden and how they help optimize your harvest in the fall.

All About Bugs | Let’s Grow Stuff!

Insects are an essential partner in keeping your garden happy and healthy. Learn about predatory insects and pollinators, and what to do if you see signs of insect damage on your plants.

Bugs in the Garden | The Wisconsin Gardener

Create a learning environment for children. Phil Pellitteri, retired UW Extension entomologist, focuses on giving children the opportunity to discover how bugs interact with the plants in the garden.

Plants for butterflies, bees and other pollinators | Garden Talk

Wisconsin Public Radio’s Garden Talk discusses selecting native plants that will attract pollinators to your garden with guests Carrie Hennessy and Ben French from Johnson’s Nursery in Menomonee Falls.

Growing and Caring for Plants in Wisconsin: Foundations in Gardening

Early bird registration for this Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension online course is officially open! Take the next step to become a more successful gardener and learn not only practical gardening skills, but also the science behind why they work.