Lawn Gardening Pest Control 5 Crucial Tips When You Start
When pests become a nuisance in your garden, you need to take control and take measures to eliminate most of them as much as possible. Below, are some of the safest ways to do it.
- Prevention is better than cure
There are plenty of preventative measures you can take before the problem of garden pests happen and get out of control.
- Maintaining a healthy soil should be foremost in your mind. You can do this by maintaining healthy plants to, because sickly plants usually invite pests in. Also, make sure that your underground sewage system is in great shape, otherwise it needs some sewer repair just to keep the soil viable for planting.
- Another measure you can take is place plants in a good spot, where there is ample amounts of sunshine and shade.
- Have you heard of companion planting? This is by planting other plants nearby that will help ward off insects and pests that may ruin other plants. Like garlic, for example, can get rid of aphids that affects other plants.
- Tips in garden pest control
- Have beneficial insects around
Beneficial insects are a great help in getting rid of harmful insects and larvae. Some of them can be bought from catalogs, but before you do, make sure they have enough harmful insects to eat in the garden. Examples of beneficial insects are lacewings, ladybugs, brachonids, hover-flies, praying mantis, and more.
- CedarCide
CedarCide is a non-toxic and chemical free product that is derived from cedar oil and is a natural bug repellent.
- Diatomaceous earth
This is a chalk-like sedimentary rock that can be mixed with water and sprayed onto the leaves of the plants. It will repel and even kill bugs and other pests.
- Soapy and oily water mixture
Mixing soapy water with oil and spraying it on plants will suffocate nasty pests. Make sure to spray it underneath the leaves at it can cause burn spots on the leaves when exposed to the sun.
- Use sticky traps
Sticky traps can collect a great number of bugs when they invade the garden.
How to prevent common garden pests:
- Moles, squirrels, and rabbits
Cayenne pepper is said to ward off moles, squirrels and rabbits. Make sure to spray it around the fence as the smell of the spice turns them off.
Putting up a high fence in your garden can also keep these creatures out. Make sure that it extends longer about a foot more underground, so that the animals cannot dig any further downward and get through to your fence.
- Slugs and snails
Place empty eggshells and copper wires around the garden. These materials are quite a challenge for slugs and snails to pass through because of their irregular and rough surfaces. They will serve as a barrier to your beautiful garden.
- Benefits of organic pest control
- Organic pesticides do not kill the beneficial insects that will help make plants grow properly and without sickness or disease.
- It does not result to any medical conditions and diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and fertility problems. Unlike chemically produced pesticides which can run in your bloodstream for a long period of time and cause health problems.
- It is also very safe to use and does not cause resistance of other pests unlike chemical pesticides do. Resistance to pesticides can worsen the state of your garden as it can no longer ward off harmful insects.
As much as possible, go organic. You will enjoy a lot of benefits when you choose this method. It is not only safe for you and your family, but also for the beneficial insects that will help grow your garden to its full potential.