Pests are a common problem in gardens everywhere. The most effective solution for combating garden pests is to use organic control methods. This way, you’ll be sure that your garden stays as healthy as possible and the options below will help you do just that.
Organic pesticides – You can make your own by boiling together 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon of dish soap, ¼ cup of vinegar and 4 cups of water. Let it sit overnight before use. Place the solution in a spray bottle and you’re ready to go.
Organic fertilizer – Fertilize your garden with organic food waste like eggshells, coffee grounds and tea bags. They have all of the nutrients that your plants need to grow.
Fight aphids with ladybugs or lady beetle larvae. These are a good, non-toxic way to get rid of them. Look for them in grassy areas and fields near you.
Slugs love cool, wet weather so try sprinkling diatomaceous earth around your plants to discourage their feeding habits. Don’t worry about it getting on your plants as it won’t harm them at all.
Insect Repellents – These go a long way to keeping your garden pest-free. Try making a mixture out of fine cotton or cornstarch, half a cup of cayenne pepper, and a few drops of citronella essential oil. You can sprinkle it around your plants at night when the bugs are most active.
Ways to control aphids – The most effective way to get rid of aphids is by freezing them with cold spray. This is best done on plants that need to be sprayed because you’ll end up wasting too much spraying on your healthy plants.
Floating row covers – These coverings go a long way towards keeping undesirables out of your garden. Be sure to place insect screens over the tops of your plants to prevent any pests from flying in.
Try not to plant more than one kind of vegetable in the same area of your garden. If you have several veggies growing close together, pests will be attracted and attack those plants, too.
Use insecticidal soap – It’s a great organic pesticide that should be sprayed on your plants every 7-10 days.
Neem oil spray – This organic pesticide is used for squash bugs and other common garden pests. It works well on keeping them away, but you need to reapply it every couple of days.
Companion planting – A great trick when trying to keep pests out of your garden is to plant basil, marigolds and coriander near your plants. Pests don’t like the strong scents of these plants and will probably be attracted to other plants instead.
Remove all weeds from around your garden – This is very important because they are a haven for many different types of pests; most notably slugs and snails. They can also cause problems with water drainage so make sure that you get rid of them on a regular basis.
Add beneficial nematodes to the soil – Nematodes are good for killing off harmful pests like the Japanese beetle. They reproduce quickly and can be purchased online.
Hot pepper wax spray – This solution is a great repellent that you can use on many different kinds of plants. It’s not toxic to beneficial insects and humans so it’s safe for use in your garden.
Catnip tea spray – Try using catnip tea as a spray on aphids and other bugs to get rid of them without having to harm any animals or pets in the process. This solution was found to be very effective when used during spring and summer months when most pests were active.
Make a protective barrier around tomato plants by mixing crushed eggshells with water and spreading it along the ground around the base of your plants. You can also try seeping coffee around your plants for added effectiveness.