When you are going to a lot of effort to grow a beautiful garden, there is nothing quite so frustrating as an animal ambling in and trashing the lot. Whether it’s a slug who thinks it’s okay to trail slime all over the place or a deer who thinks that being cute is enough to get away with chomping through your foliage, you need to have a few defenses in place. This is where natural pest control can really help you out.
While pesticides are incredibly effective, they are also not that great for the planet and you don’t really want to poison the earth you have either. Better methods are available and won’t cost the Earth, or your garden’s eco system.
Mammalian Pests
Deer are gorgeous to watch when they are out in the wild but they don’t really have a place in your garden. Putting up a strong fence is your first defense against them. If you don’t really like the look of a fence, you can plant some climbing plants to cover it up a bit, just make sure that it remains stable.
Cats are another common issue in the garden as they tend to see beautiful borders as bathrooms. Putting chicken wire down is a good method as it won’t be too obtrusive but will deter them from walking in the soil. If you are willing to have the cats but want them to follow your rules, you can create a small area for them with a bit of sand and catnip. They’ll still poop in the garden but at least you’ll know where it is!
Bugs and Insects
Crops are most likely to be attacked by insects that see your feast as theirs. As an alternative to pesticides, you can make up your own natural oil recipes which are usually scented and Keep insects at bay. Citrus is often used, and citronella candles will keep winged beasts away when you want to sit outside to enjoy the space.
Soil pests can also be quite harmful, so you may want to consider diatomaceous earth. However, do consider that sharp particles may cause problems if inhaled by you or your pets. Use with caution. An alternative is to introduce nematodes, microscopic worms, which tend to go for particular invasive species and will die back naturally at the end of the season.
Encourage Natural Pest Controllers
Many different species want to come and play in your garden, which is why you will want to perfect the skill of encouraging natural pest controllers to come and play too. There are a few beneficial bugs who will feed on everything from aphids to slugs. Putting plants that attract ‘good bugs’ in your garden will definitely get the party started and should encourage them to breed.
Gardening should always be about working with nature to create something wonderful. Instead of forcing nature to comply with your strict rules, try to relax and work together. Think of this as an opportunity to curate a space rather than a chance to take it over.
Need More Help with Natural Pest Control?
Check out these two videos that cover many different options for controlling garden pests naturally!
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