Want to Get Rid of Your Garden Pests? Just Try These Natural Methods

Who Else Wants To Use Natural Pest Control To Get Rid Of Their Garden Pests?

Home gardening can be enjoyable just as long as you do not have to deal with destructive garden pests. If you use toxic chemical on your plants and gardening vegetables, it is harmful to the environment, not to mention the dangers of taking in foods with these chemical residues.

The good news is there are many worthwhile insects and other critters that can be attracted to your landscape and encouraged to live within your garden. Once there, they feed on and control various destructive garden pests that damage and destroy favorite plants.

Toads and frogs are useful allies that can easily be attracted to your garden. By adding some life essentials like water from a garden pond or a birdbath placed at ground level, you will attract these helpful animals to rid your garden of unwanted pests. These guys are especially good at keeping gardening pests under control no matter where they are.

The ladybug is efficient at controlling insects within your garden including aphids, mites, white fly and other soft-bodied insects. You can buy them at many gardening centers and just release them where problem insects exist and let them work their magic. In addition, it also enjoys eating on un-hatched eggs that in turn stops future generations of insects before they begin. Having scented geraniums or dandelions around your garden helps draw these good insects to your garden.

Ground beetles are another natural and efficient way to expel destructive pests. Snails, cutworms, and slugs are a favorite food this beetle feeds on throughout the night. In daytime hours they can be found hiding beneath leafs, stones and debris. Ground beetles occasionally include caterpillars and moths in their diets as well. Having stones, big rocks and other concrete pieces around your property will encourage these friendly beetles to call your place home.

Birds are yet another natural enemy of garden insects. They eat moths, caterpillars, aphids, and grubs often before they find their way onto your plants and vegetables.

Green lacewings will eat dozens of aphids a day. Other smaller pests make up the diet of lacewing as well. You can attract bees to your garden by including nectar and pollen type flowers throughout your landscape. A consistent source of water will attract and keep favorable bugs around your home for years.

Getting these predators in and around your garden in not that difficult. A little research and planning will attract these predators into your garden and keep the unwanted pests from getting out of control. They all do an excellent job, and they do not harm the environment or humans in anyway.

Description
Many beneficial insects and other animals can be attracted to your landscape and become useful allies in your battle against garden pests. In addition, they are not harmful to the environment or humans.

More Pest Control Articles

Disposable Fly Traps Are Just The Beginning: Natural Remedies For Summer Pest Control

It’s not that I want a bugless summer. Not at all. Summer would lose half its magic without the song of cicadas or the glow of fireflies.

It’s the other bugs that (ahem) bug me. (You’ve never heard that before, have you?)

For me, the triumvirate of summer pests is as follows: Ants. Mosquitos. House flies.

I adore the warm weather, I don’t even mind humidity (sweat out those toxins!), but when I see flies on the window screen, I go cold inside. I tremble. I start rifling through the space under the sink, looking for last year’s disposable fly traps. Because you know how flies do, they multiply. They buzz. They drive me crazy.

And then, oh joy, mosquitos. If only itchy red bumps would start being considered a stylish accessory, I would be at the height of fashion. Instead, I’m afraid to wear summer skirts lest people steer clear of me entirely, fearing chicken pox.

The ants, however, are my arch nemeses. I use the plural here because there is no such thing as one ant. Ants are armies, they march in lines from the door, up the cabinets and walls, finding their way to my sink. Why? I want to ask them. Perhaps I would be less upset if I could understand them better. But there is no negotiating with bugs, not with preconditions or otherwise.

Which brings me to the point. This summer I’ve stocked up on disposable fly traps, consulted the catchmaster, and I am prepared to deal with my three least favorite pests. How? I’m glad you asked. Not being a bug, myself, I am able and delighted to talk this through with you.

1. Ants

First, try not to make your kitchen too enticing. Keep counters and the floor clean and crumb-free. Under no circumstances leave the sugar bowl out in the open, and unless you’re a glutton for punishment, double bag that honey jar.

Don’t leave dishes soaking overnight. I know, it’s summer and you want to relax, but what’s more relaxing, knowing ants aren’t in the house or skipping the dishes? For me, it’s a no-brainer.

If the ants come in, there are various home remedies to try on them that might surprise you. Cucumbers, for example. Leave a few slices out. Ants hate them. You can also try cayenne, citrus oil, or a mix of Borax and water. I’ve dumped Borax in the cracks around my sink and it did the trick, but that was back in my bachelorette days. Don’t use it if you have pets or kids in the house.

If those natural remedies fail you, it’s time for a Catchmaster insect trap. (That’s kind of where all of these roads lead. Help is on the way!)

2. Mosquitos

Mosquitos are attracted to standing water. Kiddie pools, birdbaths, your pet’s water bowl–make sure you change the water in these at least twice a week. Check the gutters, too. Don’t leave anything in the yard that collects water.

Natural remedy time! Citronella, in my experience, doesn’t do a whole lot. Eucalyptus helps some. Toss sage or rosemary on the barbecue if you’re grilling out. I’ve heard of spraying yourself with garlic water, but vanity prohibits me from trying this one, myself.

Plant marigolds!

3. House flies

I’m a big believer in disposable fly traps. This is because I am not a big believer in fly swatting, which has only ever felt like an exercise in futility in my experience.

You can also try keeping mint, basil, bay leaves, cloves or clover on your window sills. If it doesn’t keep the flies out, at least it will smell good.

And for heaven’s sake, even if you were raised in a barn, close the door.

Native Plants and Natural Pest Control

One of the many special things about the Pacific Northwest Coast area is the gardening. The climate here gives us a long growing season, and, for most of the year, plenty of water so that we can have lush yards and gardens without a lot of effort. Contributing to this is the move towards incorporating native plants in Tacoma area gardens.

One of the major advantages of using native plants is, because they are already acclimatized to the environment here, they need very little maintenance. The diversity of local plants means plenty of variety when using them for landscaping. In addition, native plants can help create habitat for birds and butterflies, further beautifying your yard.

Native plants are used to the regional climate, and they have a resistance to the bugs and other pests, too. This means that native-plant gardens need less chemical herbicides and pesticides. This means a safer and cleaner environment for you, your children and pets to enjoy. Besides, when we use pesticides, we kill all the bugs, good and bad, and even some birds. Some bugs and birds eat other pest bugs but leave the plants alone. Ladybugs are an example of this, as they eat aphids. If you do develop a pest problem, there are many natural ways to deal with it. Ladybugs and other beneficial bugs, and even bacteria, that will eat the pest bugs, are now available at most garden centers.

Using native plants doesn’t compromise looks. A garden full of the yellow-orange faced, sunflower-like, arrow-leaved balsamroot flowers will create amazing visual impact, especially when contrasted with the tall, bright blue, large-leaved lupine. The balsamroot was once an important food plant for the first peoples of the area. On sloping properties, the roots of the balsamroot provide stability and prevent erosion. Both the balsamroot and lupine are sure to attract bees and butterflies to your yard, as well as admiring comments from the neighbors.

So whether you’re following the dramatic new trend of digging up lawns and replacing them with wildflower meadows, or just want to add a new section of garden that doesn’t increase your water bill and maintenance hours, knowing a bit about native plants and natural plant-care is an asset. I’d encourage all home-owners, especially those that care about “greening” their surroundings, to do some research and consider a local plant garden.

Anyone living in or visiting Tacoma is encouraged to visit the Native Plant Garden at Point Defiance Park. There you can see wild plants in action, including some very rare varieties, and get ideas for your own yard.

Related Pest Control Articles

Natural Pest Control in Your Garden

Many people are interested in eliminating the use of chemicals and pesticides in their gardens. We just don’t want our families and pets exposed to so many potentially hazardous toxins anymore. So, this brings up the question, “How do I control insects that can destroy my crops without the use of chemicals?”

Who knew that the answer could be “more insects”? Many insects prey on the ones that eat our vegetables. To attract these insects to your garden, you will need to grow plants that attract the predatory insects. For example, ladybugs eat aphids. When trying to attract ladybugs to your garden, plant dill or Queen Anne’s lace.

Pirate bugs also eat aphids. You can provide a habitat and food source for them by planting sunflowers near your garden. Parsley attracts bugs that prey on moths, beetles and flies. Another option is to grow plants that repel insects. For your own comfort, you may decide to plant marigolds, catnip or citronella grass to repel mosquitoes.

Marigolds are also effective at repelling many different plant-eating insects. Garlic repels many common pests, such as Japanese beetles, aphids and other beetles that can destroy a vegetable garden. Insects are not the only pests that you may need to control.

Rabbits are a big problem in many areas of the United States. You can put up a fence, but make sure that it is buried a few inches in the ground. Rabbits can squeeze or dig under fences fairly easily. They are less likely to climb into built-up box gardens. Just to be safe, there are a few natural ways to repel rabbits. Rabbits love clover more than anything.

If there is clover around, they will not go near vegetables. So, forget about keeping your lawn manicured and free of clover and it just may control your rabbit problem. If you don’t have clover around, you may want to try another method. Some gardeners have reported success by using hot sauce or red pepper around the garden or even around each plant.

Some use vinegar. To use vinegar, soak mulch in it for about an hour and spread it around your garden. The only problem with this is that the vinegar will wear off after a few days of watering, rain or sun exposure. Some people have even used the hair from their brushes or clippings from a salon to deter rabbits. I say, if it’s natural and doesn’t hurt your garden, your family or the rabbits, it’s worth a try.

Taking care of your garden can be a joyful experience. Knowing that you are giving your family the healthiest veggies around is just an added bonus. Keep your garden nice by using a garden hose reel for your water hose. Hopefully you will get to enjoy your vegetables more than the rabbits or insects will.

Find More Pest Control Articles

Lady Bugs are your #1 Natural Pest Control

First, this bug has many names. Some of it’s names are:

lady bugs

ladybugs

lady beetle

asiatic lady beetle

Asian Lady Beetle

Asian Lady Bugs

Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle

The Ladybird Beetle is the correct name for a Lady bug and are not bugs but are beetles. Worldwide there are nearly 5,000 different kinds of ladybugs of which 400 are found in North America. The Convergent Lady Beetle is the most common beneficial species of Ladybird beetle in North America.

The life cycle of all Lady Bugs are mainly the same. The eggs are laid in the spring. When they hatch the larvae will feed for a couple of weeks and then pupate into adults. During the winter they will hibernate or will have died in the fall. Springtime they awake to feed and lay more eggs again.

As a form of biological pest control Lady Bugs are widely used and are the best known. Besides eating their favorite food aphids they also eat mites, scales, whitefly, mealybugs and most other soft insects. They are known to eat cabbage moths, bollworms, tomato hornworms and broccoli worms. These bugs will eat up to 1,000 aphids in it’s lifetime in both their larvae and adult stages.

The most common complaint against the Lady Bug is that when they are released they will fly off and let the aphids have their feast with your roses and tomato plants. But really only a part of your release will venture off, the rest will eat all the aphids they can find and then maybe fly off.

-There are a couple of tricks you can do to keep your Ladybugs-

1. Only release the ladybugs in the evening since they are not known to fly at night when it is cooler.

2. Take a can of soda and mix it with equal amounts of water and spray on the Lady Bugs just before you release them. The sugar will make the wings sticky for just a couple days so they will hang around at least for awhile and eat the pests. Since Lady Beetles claim certain areas home they will stay in your yard and make it their home and the females will start laying eggs in and around your garden.

-What about Lady Beetles in the house-

We are glad to have these beetles hang around and control the pests just like mother nature intended.If they stay at your place over winter they will look for a nice cozy place to stay and that is where your home comes into the picture.

These bugs don’t seem to have any logic to picking a house they just have found yours and they like it there. In the yard and garden they were welcome guests, in your home not so welcome. What we want to do is ask the lady bugs to leave. They don’t speak our language.

-So a few suggestions to try-

1. Get out your vacuum cleaner and find the hose attachment.

2. Get a nylon stocking and place it inside the hose with the top of the stocking overlapping the end of the hose and place the hose attachment end nozzle on this to keep the stocking on.

3. Start the vacuum and get the bugs cleaned up. This will keep the bugs alive and then you can take them outside and release in another area away from your home. Refrigerate for next spring or give them to a friend with a green house.

The ladybugs may be a problem outside the house also, help them relocate by:

1. Spray water at them with the garden hose.

2. Use your leaf blower and blow them away.

3. Upset the lady bugs and eventually they will move on to another location.

Needless to say they are a very beneficial bug, but for some people bugs are not their favorite. They can be helpful and at the same time create a problem. What we need to do is learn to live with our tiny friends and make sure they stay around.

More Pest Control Articles

Natural Pest Control ? Good for You and the Environment, Bad for the Bugs

Scientists tell us that we share our planet with more insects and arachnids than all the other inhabitants combined. Scientists will also tell you that we need all those creeping, crawling, flying, six and eight legged beasties for the life and health of the planet and its citizens, including ourselves. That’s fine with most of us, I suppose, as long as we don’t have to share our immediate living space with any of them. Scientists have also told us, though, that many of the chemicals that will rid our homes and offices of ants, spiders, roaches and what not are harmful. They can be dangerous to us, to our pets, and to the environment in general. So how do we rid ourselves and our spaces of the bugs that bug us so much? By harnessing the power of nature’s own repellents!

Most of the natural ingredients used in the pest control formulas listed in this article can be found in the grocery store or pharmacy. In fact, you may already have many of them in your home right now. This makes natural pest control easy to implement and easy on your wallet, as well. That’s something expensive professional exterminators don’t want you to know.

Cockroaches

Roaches are the tough guys of the bug world. Supposedly, they can withstand an atomic blast, right? And right now you’re thinking you’ll never be able to control the nastiest of the nasties with anything natural. Well, look no further than your local pet store. It seems roaches don’t like catnip! That’s right, that little dried weed that gets Fluffy crazy-drunk repels roaches. Simmer some catnip in a pot of water and then cool. Place this “tea” in a spray bottle and spritz along cupboards and floorboards where roaches like to travel. Catnip sachets made with little squares of cheesecloth can be placed on top of the fridge, in between the cabinets and the ceiling and other high places where spritzing can be difficult. Fluffy may just have to get used to the constant high in the kitchen, although other cats have not seemed to notice it in their homes. Of course, the best deterrent for roaches is cleanliness –before you start spritzing, vacuum the floors and wash down all surfaces with good, hot soapy water. Keeping food and dirty dishes off counters and out of sinks may be your easiest and most natural defense against cockroaches.

Ants

Ants at a picnic are one thing. Ants at a dinner party are another. Ants can be extremely difficult to get rid of because the colony can be quite large – large, hungry and always on the lookout for more food. Again, your best, and first, line of defense is to remove what they’re looking for. Keep open food and dirty dishes off the counters. Wash up any sticky spills and spots. Put the honey, pancake syrup and jelly containers in the fridge or in plastic storage bags – the “zippered” type work best. Eliminate their source of water by stopping all leaks and drips and not leaving any dishes soaking overnight. Now, your next important step in the natural war on ants is to find their point of entry, or the closest point of flat surface to their point of entry. Once you’ve discovered where they’re coming in, you have a few choices. Ants don’t like cayenne pepper or cloves, so sprinkling a line of either on your counter or floor near their trail should deter them from coming in. A piece of string or yarn can be soaked in citrus oil, cinnamon oil or lemon juice and placed into cracks where ants enter. Line a windowsill or counter top with coffee grounds. Live ants are stopped with a spritz of soapy water. Ants on a deck or porch outdoors can be diverted by placing garlic cloves in between the floorboards. Mint leaves, even herbal mint tea bags, can be placed in areas where ants are known to travel. So, pick one of the above, or try several. Send them scouting elsewhere!

Spiders

Spiders are not only a nuisance, but also a health hazard, as well. Brown recluse bites can cause death, amputation and disfigurement. Black widows have been known to make victims ill, (though no one has died from a black widow bite in the US in the last ten years.) In short, they may keep other insects like flies and moths at bay, but they can be risky to have around. Spiders, by nature, are a bit harder to be rid of, as they like to live in out-of-the-way, hard-to-access places. They take a bit more precaution, too, on your part. Remember to always wear long sleeves, pants and gloves when searching and destroying spider habitats. Spiders like the dark spaces under beds, couches and chairs. They love any little crack in brick or paneled walls. They also love to hide in the cracks between the woodwork and the doors and windows of our homes. If a broom can’t reach them, try the vacuum hose with the crevice tool attachment. Spiders like to hide in clutter and clothing that’s been lying about, as well, so it’s best to keep things picked up. Spray spiders directly with one of the following essential oils: rose, citronella, lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, tea tree or citrus. Mix 5 tablespoons of any of the above oils with 5 tablespoons natural lavender soap in a quart of water to create a spider repellent spray. This can be used to spray the foundation of your home, around windows and doors, even inside the outside trash bins to keep the pesky eight legged critters out of your space.

Pest control needn’t be smelly, dangerous chemicals and high exterminating bills. You can keep your home free of pests and free of environmental dangers, too.

Green Living Through Natural Commercial Pest Control

Be it restaurants, shops, building sites and other types of business retail outlets are not exempted from pest infestation. It is not only residential buildings are being affected by pests nowadays but as well as the modern commercial buildings all around the city. Solving these issues increases the demand for commercial pest control products and means.

Many are becoming advocate of green living these days that is why environment-friendly commercial pest control is growing in popularity. Most of the commercial business infrastructures invaded by pests are asking for natural alternatives to eradicate them. Even during the beginning of civilisation and agriculture, pests have become a problem for both residential and commercial structures. Pests are organisms which occur naturally in the environment but they are capable of causing interruptions, disorders and even diseases to humans.

The numbers of pests present in the environment are greatly increasing and the demands for commercial pest control are growing as well. Protecting the environment from further destructions through the use of chemicals is one of the things which many are trying to do. Many wants to be an advocate of environment-friendly living and one of their ways is to use natural commercial pest control in eradication of unwanted deadly pests. Here are some of the reasons why you should go for natural commercial pest control.

1. Safe and easy to use.

Natural commercial pest control is safer than using chemicals because you are sure that you, your employees and consumers will not be put into risks. Using commercial pest control in chemical means can give your high possibility of harming the environment which then can affect your safety living as well.

2. Sensitive to the condition of your work area.

Though the process of commercial pest control is ongoing, the comfort and condition of your working area will not be affected. Since you use natural products, the effects are not that worse compared to the use of chemicals in eradicating these pests.

3. Improve productivity of workers.

The fact the commercial pest controls does not affect your workplace, it will not also affect their productivity as well. Thus natural commercial pest control can improve the productivity of your workers hence leading you to achieve success. Moreover, the fast and easy process of using natural commercial pest control can prevent the risks that may cause trouble to you and your workers.

4. Perform your best while clearing off the pests.

With the use of natural commercial pest controls, you are able to do your job well at the same time eradicating the annoying pests without hassle. An efficient commercial pest control method can let you continue with your business while they do their jobs as well.

Chemical pest control cannot give you such advantages unlike what natural means can do. In any matter, natural is always the best mainly because of the less complications and disadvantages it can give. Though there have been a lots of commercial pest control ways available in the market, natural means are still the best.

im looking for a safe non toxic pest control(cochroaches,fleas,ticks,and other stuff like that)please help.no toxic chemicals,but a safe way to have a home and pet pest free.

I have come to know that diatomaceous earth is natural pesticide for bed bugs. I would like to know where it would be available retail in Pune. Online it is available. If someone knows any shop in Pune for getting this product, please share it.
Thanks in advance.

I am looking for preferably Natural remedies for Termites and Ants in the garden. Or at least something that wont be toxic to humans when the vegetables are ready to harvest.