In the Garden ~ Natural Pest Control

 

    Every year, we are excited to start a new garden and every year we face the issues of dealing with common garden pests.  Since we garden organically, we do not use typical pest control items, so that our food could be consumed straight off the vine, or plant. 

Our number one pest removal is as simple as cooking oil and dish soap.  Two cups of oil, and 1 cup of dish soap combined.  Then take 1 tablespoon and mix it with a liter of water, to spray on plants.  This mixture helps to naturally remove pests such as aphids and mites.  These soft bodied insects absorb the mixture into their skin and die, and it’s safe to spray directly onto the leaves and stems of your plants.

Another great option that you can purchase from your favorite garden center is Neem Oil. Mix 100% cold pressed Neem Oil with some dish soap and the life cycle of the insect pest in your garden will no longer continue.  It’s just as easy to spray on the plants as the dish soap spray you just made.  

If you have slugs or snails in your garden; a lid filled with beer will draw them in and they will drown, consuming the liquid.  You don’t need a full can, unless you are placing more than one trap in your garden.  At least you know they will die happy, while moving around the beer trap. It is a more humane way of removing these pests than salt or a stronger pesticide.

Of course, there are natural deterrents that you can grow that will add safety to your garden area.   Nasturitium is a great plant to grow that also provides food.  The pepper scent will deter squash bugs, white flies and various beetles from eating away at your garden.  The flowers will attract beneficial insects as well, who might also feast on the pests you are trying to keep away from your harvest.  All parts of the nasturtium are edible, the flowers and the leaves. They make a great garnish for salads and other dishes. 

The most common plant around to help keep away garden pests of all sizes is the marigold.  Marigolds work wonders as a border flower at keeping out deer and rabbits along with a myriad of insects. The pungent smell repels the mammals while attracting those insects that will help to pollinate your garden for optimal growth. Companion planting marigolds works wonders on your garden at keeping it pest free.  

One more easy to use pest control is diatomaceous earth.  This fine ground power made from aquatic fossils works wonders on pests with hard exoskeletons.  The powder strips away the protective exoskeleton and causes the insects to dry out.  It makes for an easy to use deterrent that can be mixed into soil or spread around plants. Be sure to get the food grade diatomaceous earth and not the kind that goes in your pool. 

Inside your house, if your fruit is out on the counter or your trash cans are not covered, you might find that you have little gnats flying around. A jar filled with apple cider vinegar, and topped with plastic wrap with holes poked in it works amazing.  The smell attracts the gnats, and the plastic wrap traps them inside.  A safe and easy method to remove pesky gnats from your airspace.  

Organic pest removal is effective and easy to use, if you want to take the time to discover what works best for you and your garden.  There is no need to add chemicals to your body from the use of pesticides. After all you only have one body to live with, and this is your one chance to treat it the best.  You have already started by growing  a garden, continuing those good works in how you treat pests.