Gardeners used to control pest problems with a can of insecticide. Now that we're more aware of the dangers that chemicals can pose to people and the environment, the focus is on non-chemical pest control. By following a few good gardening practices, pest problems can often be prevented. The first mode of prevention is to keep your garden healthy.
- Keep soil fertile and plants healthy by adding a balanced fertilizer regularly. Plants take nutrients out of the soil, which can hinder growth and weaken plants if not replenished. This makes plants more prone to pest infestations.
- Keep the garden and surrounding area free of weeds. They can serve as hosts to insects that will eventually migrate to flower and vegetable plants.
- Plant pest-resistant species. Many plants, such as marigolds, citronella and some geraniums, contain naturally occurring insecticides.
- Use barriers to keep pests out. Collars made out of heavy cardstock can be placed around the stems of young plants. The collars may have to be replaced if you have heavy rains in your area.
The best pest control is prevention. Every gardener knows, however, that you can't stop everything. When you find a problem, take care of it immediately. Removing small infestations keeps them from turning into big problems.
- Remove affected foliage and crops. Be sure to properly dispose of anything you remove. If you leave it on the ground, the pest may overwinter in the debris and infest your plants again next year.
- Remove pests by hand. Pick them off and drop them in a bucket of soapy water.
- Wash pests off plants with a strong stream of water. This is particularly effective for aphids and spider mites.
- Insecticidal soaps kill insects by washing away their protective coating. You can find these at most home and garden supply stores or you can make your own. Mix 5 tablespoons of dishwashing detergent into one gallon of water. Pour into a spray bottle and use it every 10 days. To be effective, the soap must come in contact with the insects.
Another way to eliminate destructive pests in the garden is to add beneficial insects that feed on them. For example, ladybugs eat aphids. You can buy ladybugs from a garden supplier and release them in the garden. Other beneficial insects include ground beetles and praying mantis.
If you're thinking about using this method, you need to consider the cost. Beneficial insects won't stay in your garden if their food source disappears--they'll go looking for a meal somewhere else. If the destructive insects leave and then return, you'll need to buy a new supply of beneficial bugs.
Several pesticides are made with bacteria that attack certain pests. When you apply any type of pesticide, be sure to read the label and apply it properly. Pesticides can be toxic and irritating, so be sure to wear rubber gloves and avoid getting it in your mouth and eyes or on your skin:
- BT is a pesticide used to control many caterpillars, but it won't harm other beneficial insects like bees.
- Milky spore is a powder that is used to control Japanese beetles.
- Diatomaceous earth is an abrasive dust that gardeners sprinkle on the ground to get rid of slugs.
Unfortunately, non-chemical pest control can't always solve all problems. You may need to use chemical pesticides, but they should be your last resort and used only if non-chemical methods don't rid your garden of the problem.
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