Least Evasive Garden Pest Control Methods

There are evasive garden pest control methods you can try like super toxic chemical killers, but before you go there you may as well try out some less evasive measures. It’ll be healthier for you, your plants, and the planet.

Take preventative measures first: Before you have a problem is the best time to nip it in the bud. Use plant crop rotation, garden in  raised beds or containers, grow native plants, and use other basic environmental landscaping techniques to try and stop pests before they start.

Know pests from friends: Some garden critters you see aren’t pests at all. Some are just living in peace with your garden. Some are helpful predators who only eat the bugs who will eat your garden, so you want to let them be. Talk to your local nursery or local extension office to learn which pests are not actually pests in your area.

Make sure it’s pests: You may not have pests killing your plants. Maybe your plants have inappropriate growing conditions, maybe you’re over or under watering. Make sure your gardening skills aren’t the issue before attacking the bugs.

Once you figure out that bugs are the issue try these removal methods first:

• Hand removal – hard for some (squeamish) but the least evasive.
• Other physical removal – water blasts can knock out aphid issues and pruning shears take care of tent caterpillars.
• Barriers – such as netting, floating row covers, copper slug barriers, sticky barriers can all be used to stop bugs and pests from getting to your plants. Technically you might consider a raised bed a barrier as well, since it’s too high for some pests.
• Environmental controls – Attract beneficial critters to your garden like birds (set out a birdbath) who will eat a lot of pests. Other ways to attract beneficial critters is to make your yard welcoming by planting plenty of trees and plant varieties, having a small pond, and by leaving some winter treats out like grains and nuts for winter creatures in search of food.

Lastly move on to the least toxic chemical controls you can find (check with your local nursery) and then harsher chemical treatments. However, if you truly try all of the above alternatives first, you’ll likely find that you’ll never need to put actual poisons in your yard.

[image via stock.xchng]