How to Keep Pests Out of Your Summer Garden Naturally
Written by Macy’s – Good News Pest Solutions
Keeping Pests Out of Your Garden Naturally. Are ants overtaking your garden? Are squirrels stealing your veggies? Have no fear…Good News is here!
Continuing with our summer garden theme this month, here are some natural ways to keep pests out of your garden.
Ants
To get rid of ants, sprinkle cornmeal near ant hills. They’ll eat it, but they can’t digest it, which will cause them to die out.
Aphids
Aphids do not like onions! Create an onion spray you can use to spray on the plants that aphids are drawn to. First, chop up an onion, place it in a cup of water, and puree it until it’s liquid. Pour into a plastic spray bottle and use it to mist the plants. Voila—aphid deterrent!
Spider Mites
Spider mites can be a big problem and cause big problems! Spray leaves with a solution of rosemary oil and water onto the leaves of an infested plant…they don’t like this stuff at all! Also, get rid of leaf debris. Spider mites love this stuff!
Slugs and Snails
Did you know that snails and slugs like beer almost as much as people do? Place a flat, shallow container—such as a pie tin—in your garden and fill it with a can of beer. Let it sit for a few days and you’ll probably find it full of drowned, slimy, little snails and slugs. They probably died happy though.
Other Insects
For a general natural insect repellent, try garlic! Bugs DO NOT like the smell at all! Take 1/4 cup garlic and mix it with 2 cups water in a blender, strain it and then scrape the paste into a jar. Add 2 teaspoons of mineral oil and a few squirts of liquid dish detergent. Put the lid on and shake away. Put it in a spray bottle and use it on your garden in the early morning hours to keep insects away. You’ll be surprised how well this works!
Bunnies
Awww, bunnies are cute, but they don’t belong in your garden. They’ll munch whatever they can find! Did you know dried blood keeps the bunnies away? Gross, but effective! Rabbits don’t like the smell of dried blood or hair from their predators, like coyotes and foxes. You can find these unusual items at your local garden store and sprinkle them around the perimeter of your garden.
Deer
Oh dear…you have deer! If deer are getting into your favorite flower or vegetable garden, throw a few mothballs around. They do NOT like the smell of mothballs.
Raccoon
To get rid of those adorable, but pesky masked bandits, distribute dog hair around your property. You can also try planting cucumbers which raccoon’s avoid like the plague. And they don’t like mothballs either!
Cats and Squirrels
Nobody wants Fluffy the cat and Sandy the squirrel messing around in their garden! Try this: First mix 1/3 cup flour, 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, and 2 tablespoons powdered mustard. Then use the mixture to sprinkle around the perimeter of your yard. The strong smell should act as a deterrent!
These are just a few ways to keep pests away from your garden naturally. We love living green and hope you do, too!
Good News Pest Solutions can solve your termite and pest control problems with industry leading Eco-Superior (Environmental, Pet and Family Friendly) methods and products, and our certified, professional staff can eliminate all of your pest problems.
Sources: randomrecycling.com and whoknewtips.com