When it comes to keeping your garden healthy and vibrant, you need to create a plan for dealing with pests. No matter where you’re gardening, you’re going to come in contact with some unwanted guests. Taking care of these pests quickly is key to protecting your garden from death and disease.
You don’t want to use harsh chemicals in your garden that might damage your plants, so it’s best to find natural solutions when possible. However, if you experience a pest problem that’s hard to control, it’s time to bring in the experts. A Pest or Termite Control Service can help work with you to find a way to solve the problem for good. In the meantime, try these natural solutions in your own garden.
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Natural Prevention
The best way to keep pests out is to take preventative measures in the first place. This will keep them from ever making your garden their home. First, you need to have a maintained garden. You don’t want any weeds or weak plants that might show signs of infection. Dispose of these problem plants early on before they can infect any others nearby.
You’ll also want a foundation of natural composting. This involves things like mulching and top-dressing with natural fertilizer. A natural soil method will create healthy, strong plants that are resistant to disease or pests. You should also use no-dig or no-till gardening that will keep pests from being introduced to the soil.
Make sure you water your plants early in the day so they have time to dry. When foliage is wet, it encourages insects and fungal growth. Finally, another natural preventative measure is to welcome snakes into your garden. While it’s easy to see why this isn’t for everyone, snakes can be your garden’s best friend. They control things like rodents, grasshoppers, slugs, and more without damaging your plants.
Welcome Insects
If snakes aren’t your cup of tea, you can welcome other insects into your garden that will cut down on harmful pests. If you’re worried about leaf-eating caterpillars, introduce braconids and ichneumon wasps. They’re attracted to carrots, parsley, and Queen Anne’s lace, all of which are easy to grow.
Another friendly insect to welcome are ladybugs. These little insects eat all kinds of garden-damagers like aphids, whiteflies, and mites. You can attract ladybugs by planting any member of the daisy family in your garden. You can even purchase ladybugs on your own and introduce them to your garden.
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Homemade Remedies
Aside from insects, there are natural remedies you can use in your garden to help control problem insects. These include non-toxic ingredients that won’t harm your plants. What type of concoction you use depends on the types of insects you’re struggling with. If you’re facing soft-bodied insects like mites or aphids, use canola oil and soap mixed together. You can apply this to your garden with a spray bottle. The oil actually smothers the insects without harming your garden.
If you’re experiencing slugs or earwigs, you can use diatomaceous earth around your garden bed. These particles are small but sharp, and they harm the top layer of these slugs and snails. They’ll keep them out and keep them from coming back.
Finally, if you’re experiencing the early signs of fungal disease in your garden, you can use baking soda and water. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda into an entire gallon of water. You can add this mixture to a spray bottle and spray any affected areas. This might take a few treatments to be effective, but be persistent.
Protecting Your Garden
When it comes to your garden, you want to feel confident you’re only putting good things in. Harmful pesticides and toxic chemicals can damage your plants, and that’s especially alarming if you’re planning to eat any foods in your garden. Luckily, you can use the natural remedies and preventative measures above to keep your garden healthy and pest-free.