Pests are the shadows that loom large over the humble hobby of gardening. Itโs somehow not enough for pests like stink bugs, boxelders, cockroaches, aphids, or earwigs to bother you at home. They have to come after your pastimes too. Thatโs just not fair.
Itโs easy to despair about pest problems in your garden. Believe it or not, however, not only is garden pest prevention possible, itโs completely feasible. All it takes is some patience, a little work, and the right ideas. Luckily, weโve already done the work of collecting the right ideas for you here. Follow each of these quick tips, and youโll be amazed what a difference it makes in your garden. Donโt let pests have your garden. Instead, try…
Bird netting
Obviously, bird netting was designed to restrict birds from accessing gardens, but itโll work on other flying pests too. Bird netting is a relatively simple product you can find at most hardware stores.
To use it, you simply spread the large, lightweight plastic or fiber mesh net over the area you want to protect. All youโll really need is a frame of some kind to drape the next over. Make sure you install the netting high enough that it doesnโt smother your plants. You wouldnโt want to kill your garden while trying to save it!
Soapy water
Common garden pests like aphids and stink bugs hate soapy water. Spraying them with soapy water will kill them effectively, and itโll also wipe out the pheromones they secrete to communicate with each other.
Even if you canโt find the pests themselves, misting plant leaves with soapy water will help deter stink bug and aphid damage. Be careful not to use too much, or you could harm the plants. A light misting will be sufficient to make pests think twice.
Smelly plants
Just like certain garden plants attract pests, other plants will deter them. Most pests are particularly sensitive to strong smells. Growing some particularly smelly plants alongside other garden plants will help make your garden far less pest-attractive.
The specific things youโll want to plant depends on what you want to keep out. Rosemary, garlic, and lavender will help keep wildlife away from your vegetables. Marigolds help deter several kinds of insects. Pennyroyal helps repel ants. Other herbs such as mint, fennel, or basil can help with aphids and potato beetles.
Chicken wire fencing
Chicken wire fencing works great for protecting against bigger pests. Itโs simple, tough, easy to install, and it still lets sun into your garden. To start, get some chicken wire from your local hardware store. Make sure you get enough to build about a three-foot high fence around the perimeter of your garden. Give yourself an extra inch or so of wiggle room, because youโll want the fence to protect against burrowing pests, too.
To build the fence itself, attach the chicken wire to several sturdy posts. Make sure the posts you choose arenโt themselves vulnerable to pest attack! Dig trenches around the fence so you can bury the bottom of the fence, too. Chicken wire fencing alone wonโt keep out insect pests, but it will help against particularly destructive wildlife.
Row covers
Row covers are light plastic sheets traditionally used to protect plants from frost. Theyโre spread over the top of individual rows, only inches above the tops of plants. Look for varieties that are thin enough to let sunlight and water through, so the plants donโt starve.
Row covers work best for protecting young, vulnerable plants that youโve just planted. Theyโre an effective means of preventing caterpillars, birds, and other smaller pests from preying on new plants. Eventually, the plants will (hopefully) grow too tall for row covers to protect them. When that happens, make sure to remove the covers before they get in the way.
Debris control
The more shelter you give pests, the easier itโll be for them to infiltrate your garden. Fallen leaves, branches, tall grass, weeds, and other cover will all help pests more comfortably access your garden.
Take a few minutes every time youโre out in your garden to clear space. Pull weeds out, gather fallen branches, and remove dead plants. Itโs not a lot of extra work and itโll go a long way toward pest-proofing your garden.
Moisture control
All kinds of pests are attracted to excess moisture. When you overwater your plants, water collects in the soil or on surfaces. Pests will come for that water, and stay to eat your plants.
Take care to water your garden only as much as is necessary. Ensure that any excess water is draining properly instead of pooling up on surfaces or in the soil. Water is one of the #1 things that attract pests anywhere, so this one is important!
Keep it healthy
Several pests are attracted specifically to rotting or dying plants. Once theyโre in your garden, however, they wonโt stop there.
Take care to quickly and thoroughly remove dying plants before they attract pests. Dig out root systems entirely, and dispose of the plant away from the garden. Try to figure out why that part of your garden died, and consider replacing vulnerable plants with different types.
If it helps, think of pest prevention as another integral part of gardening. Taking care of your plants isnโt only about feeding and making space for them – itโs about protecting them, too. If you follow the steps outlined above, youโll be a bona fide plant protector. Thatโs gotta feel pretty good.
And, as always, remember: if ever youโre struggling with pest problems, you can always give Griffin a call. Weโll thwart your pests at every turn, so you have more time to enjoy your gardening.