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6 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Garden Pests

Are you looking for ways to eliminate garden insect pests without using pesticides? Here’s a look at a few easy tips to control a pest infestation without using pesticides.

After spending all of spring and summer tending to your lovely garden, you end up with such an amazing sight to behold. Unfortunately, you are not the only one who admires the beauty of all the hard work you have put in and garnering the growth of such a beautiful garden. There is a myriad of garden pests who want to do nothing more than destroy the fruits of your labor.

From insects that feed on the roots of the beautiful green carpet of grass blades, removing their very foundations to insects that eat away at the stems and leaves of the plants in your garden, things can get pretty bad. You can always consider throwing pesticides into the mix and spraying the bugs back to kingdom come, but that comes with its drawbacks.

Pesticides can be harmful to every life. You can end up disturbing the delicate ecosystem you’ve created in your garden by destroying the insects and mammals that are a part of a healthy garden when you try to get rid of pests using harsh chemicals. Fortunately, using those harmful chemicals is not the only resort.

If you are looking for ways to eliminate garden pests without using pesticides, this guide will tell you what you need to know.

Ways to Get Rid of Garden Pests

Few things can make you happier as a gardener other than a garden full of perfect-looking vegetables or flowers. The only issue is that the garden pests tend to use the garden you’ve worked so hard to create as a buffet. If you do not want to use pesticides to get rid of all the bugs, that’s a very wise decision because it can do more harm than good.

Let’s take a look at some simple, natural, and cost-effective ways you can get rid of garden pests and maintain a healthy garden.

1. Create good soil for your garden

Prevention is always the best cure, and that’s exactly how you should approach gardening and pests. Getting a fresh start with clean soil can help you set the foundations of a healthy garden. Well-prepared soil deters garden pests and significantly reduces the chances of an infestation from the get-go.

A great way to create good soil and get rid of pests is to rejuvenate the soil. Till in compost and other organic matter when the growing season starts kicking in. These natural compounds are great for the soil and keep pests away.

Once you’ve tilled it all in, cover your garden with cardboard or black plastic for six months. Keeping your garden covered like that will build up heat that will kill most weeds, garden pests, their eggs, parasites, and a host of other problematic pests.

Cultivate the soil lightly after you remove the plastic, and your garden should be ready for you to begin planning.

2. Use pest-resistant seeds

It is much easier to prevent pests and diseases for your plants than to get rid of them once they start wreaking havoc in your garden. While purchasing seeds for your garden, you should check whether the seeds you are getting have a resistance to certain diseases or pests. This is something that the store can help you figure out.

Planting a garden with pest and disease-resistant seeds can prevent pests and diseases from becoming a problem at all for your garden.

3. Water the garden early morning

All plants require water because it is crucial in helping them during photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a process in which plants use water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight to create oxygen and energy in the form of sugar. The process occurs primarily during the day, and that’s when your plants need water the most.

Watering the plants later in the day will also do the trick, but it can create problematic conditions. When you water your plants closer to sunset, the leaves will still be damp during the night. Dark and damp conditions are ideal for promoting fungus and other diseases, which invite further pests and diseases.

4. Keep the garden clean and clear

Keeping your garden clean of all debris, fallen leaves, weeds, and decaying plant matter is a crucial task that can help you get rid of garden pests and diseases that can harm your plants. Ideally, you should consider hiring professional grass cutting services to keep the grass well-trimmed and the garden clear of debris, especially if the garden is huge.

It saves time because you can focus on tending to the flowers or vegetables you are growing. You will have a professional set of eyes for extra diligence on your garden’s health. If you have a smaller garden, you could just start carrying a bucket every time you go to tend the garden and use it to collect all the litter and debris to keep it clean.

5. Add ‘good’ insects to your garden

It might seem odd that we are suggesting adding more insects to your garden to keep it clear of pests that are mostly insects themselves. However, not all bugs are bad for your garden. Insects like ladybugs can work wonders when it comes to keeping your garden healthy and pest-free.

Ladybugs love eating aphids, mites, and the eggs and larvae of several harmful bugs that can destroy your garden. Praying mantises and parasitic wasps are also good insects to introduce to your garden as a natural way to get rid of garden pests.

These insects can eliminate the pest population from your garden, and they do not bother your plants. You give these helpful bugs plenty of food to eat, and they can ensure a healthier garden that is free of pests.

6. Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth is an excellent remedy if you’re looking for natural ways to get rid of garden pests. You can use this to take care of any crawling and leaf-eating insects in your garden. You can easily sprinkle a generous amount of diatomaceous earth powder around your plants. This creates a protective shield around your plants that prevents pest problems.

DE is so effective in keeping your plants clear of any insects that can harm them because it can suck the moisture right out of them. The powder works when it gets inside the exoskeletons and dries them out, killing them before they can do much damage. You can even use DE to make a homemade pesticide for plants by combining around five tablespoons of the powder with a gallon of water and spraying the mixture on your plants.

Make sure that you mix it well before every application. The homemade pesticide can kill the harmful insects that try to attack your plants once dry. Be sure that you do not use this solution if you are already relying on other bugs to get rid of pests.

Final thoughts

There are plenty of ways in which you can get rid of garden pests. Using pesticides and harsh chemicals to keep the garden clear can harm the environment and disturb the ecosystem. Using these natural methods can help you maintain a healthy garden cost-effectively.

 

Written By

Daniel Alexander is a blogger that has a passion for writing. He publishes content on various topics ranging from tips for event planning and interior designing to technological advancements and financial tips.

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