Garden Bugs of British Columbia: Gardening to Attract, Repel, and Control.

Janet Collins is a freelance writer in Sechelt, British Columbia.

Gardening has long been a favourite pastime for British Columbians. Unfortunately, where plant life thrives, bugs and other pests are equally abundant.

Insect and plant specialist Janice Elmhirst has teamed up with entomology instructor Ken Fry and entomologist Doug Macaulay to describe more than 400 species of bugs that are commonly found in B.C. gardens. Full-colour illustrations beautifully complement detailed descriptions.

There is a great deal of general and species-specific information regarding control options included in the book. A chart listing various chemical remedies notes effectiveness as well as possible risk to humans, animals, other insects, and plants. Care is taken to ensure readers that not all bugs are bad. There is even advice for attracting beneficial bugs and other natural controls such as butterflies and birds into the garden. In addition, information is provided regarding invasive species such as the Asian long-horned beetle, which is frequently mistaken for the banded alder borer—the latter is a native insect that doesn’t harm healthy trees while the Asian intruder does a great deal of damage.

A wonderfully detailed “scouting chart” indicates the best time and place to find the various bugs described in the book. The chart also notes what stage of the bug’s development corresponds to which season, and whether or not the bug is a benefit to the garden or a pest. Each entry is cross-referenced with the full-page description of the individual bug listed. A basic glossary, decent index, and list of references round out the volume.