From the beginning of spring, we start to see these little animals arriving in number, both in the street and in our gardens.
With the arrival of sunny days, you may have noticed these little red and black insects that come together on trees, walls, sidewalks or even gardens. These are gendarmes (pyrrhocoris apterus), a very common species in Europe, which is now found throughout France. The increase in temperatures in March pushed them to get out of their hiding place. They are easily recognizable, with their black and red abdomen and long black legs.
Although their appearance, especially when they come together in number is not considered attractive and can impress, the gendarmes are harmless for humans or domestic animals. Unlike certain beliefs, they do not bite, do not bite and do not degrade plants.
They even play an important role in the ecosystem, feeding on insects such as mosquitoes and aphids, but also juices of dead individuals, for example caterpillars, and remains of plants. Thanks to this, they help reduce the population of these annoying insects. Their presence in gardens and parks is therefore beneficial for maintaining natural balance. Unfortunately, they are often confused with pests, which leads to their unjustified extermination. Some errors are to be avoided if you come across.
Here is what should not be done in the event of the presence of gendarmes in your garden:
- Avoid killing them, these little animals are very useful for our ecosystem.
- Do not confuse them with harmful insects: they are not dangerous for your plants, unlike pest insects such as aphids or weevils. It is therefore useless to want to get rid of it at all costs.
- Avoid the use of insecticides: in addition to being harmful to the environment, these chemicals can affect other beneficial species for your garden, such as bees or ladybugs.
- Do not move them en masse. If you find a group of gendarmes near your house, it is tempting to want to disperse them. However, these insects often come together to warm up or reproduce. To move them suddenly could disrupt their natural cycle without solving their presence, because they will simply return later.
The best solution is to learn to cohabit with gendarmes. If their presence bothers you, here are some tips to limit their proliferation. Maintain your garden and avoid the accumulation of dead leaves and fallen seeds, their main source of food. Although in offerings, the gendarmes like to regroup near the linden and hibiscus. If you want to limit their presence, promote other species of trees.