Organic Garden Pest Control without Chemicals

A very big part of Organic Gardening is the absence of chemicals. Chemicals are not used to feed plants or to control the pests that try to feed on plants. The challenge is to grow healthy, nutritious fruits, herbs, and vegetables without resorting to any chemical use.

This challenge becomes especially large for some when it comes to organic garden pest control. How do you control pests without chemical pesticides?

Barriers as Organic Garden Pest Control

One type of effective organic garden pest control is the use of physical barriers.

* Cutworms are deterred by large, bottomless cans pushed into the soil to surround tender, young plants.

* Slugs stay away when diatomaceous earth is sprinkled around plants.

* Netting (fine woven) will shield crops from hungry grasshoppers.

* Row covers allow sunlight and water to reach your plants, but not pests, if put in place before pests appear.

* Bird netting keeps birds from pecking small fruit like strawberries.

Beneficial Insects

A second type of effective organic garden pest control is the introduction of beneficial insects. Choose insects that eat other insects and leave plants alone. Ladybugs, also known as ladybirds, will eat a number of pests. The praying mantis is also a vociferous organic garden pest controller. You can purchase lives insects or egg sacs at many garden stores. Release them into your garden, and let them go to work.

Companion Plants

Companion plants can be a colorful and interesting way of handling organic garden pest control. Insects are repelled by the smell of plants such as the colorful, orange and gold marigold. Plant a row around the perimeter of your garden, and you will have a front line of organic garden pest control. Garlic and onions will have a similar effect.

Insect Pickers

When it comes to larger insects, most gardeners resort to insect pickers for organic garden pest control. Insect pickers are simply people who are willing to go into the garden morning and evening, when the pests are most active, and pluck the pests with their hands. If you are squeamish, wear garden gloves so you will not feel the insects as much. Complete this type of organic garden pest control by dropping each bug into a can of soapy water immediately after plucking it from the plants.

Insect Repellants

You do not need chemicals to have an effective insect repellant. For remaining insects, your organic garden pest control can employ organic soap insect repellant. Or make your own by adding a few drops of organic dish soap to a cup of water. Soap works well on aphids and spider mites, but you will need to completely coat the leaves, flower, and stems of each plant. The downside to this organic garden pest control is that too much soap, or a soap containing triclosan may damage plant leaves. Beneficial insects may be a better solution for aphids and spider mites.

Water Cannon

Of course, you will not use a real water cannon on your garden, but a degree of organic garden pest control can be accomplished by spraying plants with the garden hose. The force of spraying water knocks sap-sucking insects such as aphids to the ground, and injures them.

As stated at the outset, the challenge is to grow healthy, nutritious fruits, herbs, and vegetables without resorting to chemical use.