Some of the best garden pest control solutions can be found in the garden itself. There are many plants with natural pest control properties, and beneficial insects to keep away the bad bugs.
If you’re interested in sustainable and environmentally friendly pest control for your garden, consider these options:
Pest-repelling plants
By planting the right combination of plants, you can let your garden do the pest control for you. Many plants have natural pest-repellent properties, while others can serve as decoy plants to draw bugs away from more vulnerable plants.
Some of the most popular bug-busting plants to include in your garden are:
- Catnip
- Mint
- Nasturtium
- Dill
- Marigolds
- Rosemary
- Lavender
These plants keep away garden pests like aphids, beetles, caterpillars, shield bugs and whiteflies. As a bonus, plants like marigolds and lavender also repel mosquitos. Consider planting these herbs and flowers around garden edges or anywhere else in your yard for natural pest control.
Beneficial bugs
Not all garden bugs are bad. In fact, there are many beneficial insects you want in your garden to keep the plants and soil healthy. Introducing natural predators to feast on garden pests is an excellent natural pest control method, and some of the best bugs for the job include:
- Ladybugs eat soft-bodied garden pests like aphids.
- Lacewings eat aphids, caterpillars, thrips, whiteflies, leafhoppers and scales.
- Spiders are natural predators in the garden and protect your plants from myriad pests including spider mites, aphids, caterpillar beetles and whiteflies.
Pest control is a key to healthy plants, but most garden pests can be controlled by the garden and its natural denizens. Knowing which plants and which insects are allies in your pest control endeavors will help you maintain a healthy garden without synthetic sprays or pesticides.
About the Author
Carolyn Ross
Carolyn Ross spent her career in the advertising world as a commercial photographer. She is no stranger to meeting challenging deadlines and working with many people in a fast paced environment.
She has shot for various magazines such as Architectural Digest, Boston Globe Magazine, Wellesley Weston, South Shore life as well Boston Magazine to name a few. Her love of homes and visual spaces has evolved through the years and has lead her to expand her career. She currently serves on the board of a national organization: The American Society of Media Photographers for the New England chapter. She has been involved in the school art programs as well as teaching photography classes.
Carolyn's expert knowledge of staging and art direction is what differentiates her from other agents. She has also taken her keen business background and artistic talents to successfully renovate numerous investment properties in the Metrowest area over the last several years.
This is what inspires her and with determination and passion, she will bring these unique skills to your next real estate transaction.
