10 Ways to Naturally Deter Garden Pests Without Chemicals

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Gardening is a delightful and rewarding hobby, but it can also be frustrating when pests invade our gardens and wreak havoc on our plants. While chemical pesticides may seem like an easy solution, they can harm pests and beneficial insects, animals, and even humans. Moreover, repeated use of chemicals can lead to resistant pests and damage the soil ecosystem.

Thankfully, there are many natural ways to deter garden pests without using harmful chemicals. Here are a few you can try.

Plant Companion Flowers and Herbs

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Companion planting is when some plants are planted together to improve each other’s growth, attract pollinators, and repel pests. Certain flowers and herbs tend to repel pests. For example, marigolds repel aphids and nematodes, and basil deters mosquitoes and flies.

Use Organic Pest Control Methods

Insects can be nasty at times, so pest control is essential here. We recommend using organic pest control solutions like Diatomaceous earth, Neem oil, and Garlic spray. These methods are non-harmful to humans and animals but can be deadly to insects when done correctly.

Install Physical Barriers

To prevent pests from reaching your plants, deter them with physical barriers like mesh covers, row covers, or netting. You can also place cardboard or aluminum foil collars around individual plants.

Encourage Natural Predators

Many beneficial insects and animals feed on garden pests. You can attract these predators to your garden by providing a suitable habitat and letting them do the work for you. For example, ladybugs feed on aphids, while birds eat caterpillars and slugs.

Practice Crop Rotation

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The practice of moving the location of crops from one planting season to another is known as crop rotation. This approach breaks the pest cycle when certain crops are integrated with insect-discouraging crops because insects frequently do not find their preferred host plants. This process also supports soil conditions by decreasing soil nutrient loss.

Introduce Trap Crops

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Trap cropping involves planting attractive plants near susceptible plants to lure pests away from them. These plants act as a sacrifice; once pests feed on them, they can be removed or destroyed. For example, planting radishes near cabbage can deter flea beetles.

Use Natural Repellents

Natural repellents like coffee grounds, eggshells, and citrus peels can be sprinkled around plants to repel pests. They have pungent smells and textures, which pests dislike. You could also use essential oils that are natural insect repellants.

Handpick Pest

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In some cases, manual removal is an effective pest control method. This technique may not be suitable for big gardens, but you can try it if it is small. Put on gloves and place the pests in a hermetically sealed bag for further disposal.

Keep Your Garden Clean

Pests do not prefer a neat garden like you do. You must ensure that your garden is clean from debris and fallen leaves and that overripe fruits are adequately disposed of, as these can attract pests. Also, ensure you keep the area around your garden free of weeds, which can hide pests.

Employ Companion Animals

If you have some animals like chickens or ducks, they can enjoy a tasty treat of the common garden pests that we all hate, such as slugs and snails. These helpful allies can be utilized to control pest populations and provide them with food and shelter.