Essential Pest Control Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Garden

Elevated Magazines
Oct 22
5 min read

Ever wonder why your garden isn't looking the way you envisioned?

Your garden might be under attack by pests. Homeowners lose thousands of dollars each year to insects, rodents, and other critters that want to make your beautiful garden their home. The worst part?

Half of all homeowners have experienced structural damage from pest problems. And we aren't talking small problems here. From termites to carpenter ants, rodents to moles, these pests can cause big damage fast.

Thankfully you can protect your garden and keep it healthy all year long with proper pest control. The strategies discussed in this article will help you handle any pest problem, no matter what time of year it is.

Here's what we will cover:

The Garden Pest Threat
Pest Control Prevention
Natural Pest Control Options
Calling Professional Help

Let's dive in.

The Garden Pest Threat

There are lots of garden pests out there.

Some are small like aphids and caterpillars. Others live in the ground and attack your plant roots. The real problem? Pests aren't just unsightly, they can completely destroy your garden plants and flowers.

Climate change is also a big factor. Warmer temperatures are speeding up insect metabolism, leading to more eating, faster growth, and increased reproduction.

Pests typically fall into a few categories:

Insects: aphids, beetles, caterpillars, thrips
Rodents: mice, rats, moles
Mollusks: slugs and snails
Other: deer, rabbits, squirrels

Identifying which pests are attacking your garden is key to stopping the damage. Each pest has unique control methods. Knowing the difference can save you time, money, and a lot of stress.

Pest Control Prevention

The best pest control tip of all?

Prevention. Stopping pests in their tracks before they get started is always easier (and cheaper) than eradicating a full-blown infestation.

For severe pest problems that threaten your garden's health, professional Pest Control in Coeur d'Alene & Lewiston exterminators can get the job done with the right treatments and management strategies to protect your garden plants and property from destructive pests all year long.

Preventative steps you can take on your own:

Healthy soil is your first line of defense. Nutrient-rich soil grows stronger plants naturally more resistant to pests and disease. Get a soil test done before planting to know what to add.

Crop rotation is another useful strategy. Don't grow the same vegetables in the same place each year. Pests that overwinter in the soil have specific plants they attack. Rotating crops each season starves them out.

Cleanliness matters too. Dead leaves, fallen fruit, and other plant debris give pests places to hide. Removing this material regularly cuts down hiding spots before the become a problem.

Watering wisely matters. Overwatering makes gardens too moist and attracts pests like slugs and fungus gnats. Water early in the day so the plants dry out during the day.

Natural Pest Control Methods

Chemical pesticides work too. We don't want to ignore that fact.

Chemical pesticides do kill. The problem is the collateral damage. Pesticides can kill beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs. Chemicals contaminate soil and water. Pesticides are potentially dangerous for pets and kids playing in the yard.

Natural pest control methods are often just as effective without the risks. Here are some natural pest control options for your garden.

Biological Controls

Biological controls are using nature to fight nature.

Specifically, you want to introduce beneficial insects that prey on the pests eating your plants. Ladybugs are natural predators of aphids. Lacewings love to eat mealybugs. Parasitic wasps attack caterpillars and other soft-bodied pests.

Beneficial insects do the work for you while you sit back and enjoy your garden growing. Neat huh?

Companion Planting

Companion planting involves planting pest-repelling plants near your vegetables and flowers.

For example, marigolds are natural aphid deterrents so plant some near your tomatoes. Basil repels flies, so plant it near your peppers. Garlic or onions around your garden perimeter help deter rabbits and deer.

Companion planting is a great organic strategy that has been used for hundreds of years because it works.

Physical Barriers

Don't underestimate the power of the simplest solutions.

Row covers provide physical protection from flying insects. Copper tape around plant beds stops slugs in their tracks. Mesh netting will keep birds from eating your berries.

Hand-picking pests is gross, but it's the most effective way to control larger pests like tomato hornworms, Japanese beetles, and caterpillars.

Organic Sprays

In some cases, you might need to spray your plants. But you can still use organic sprays that are safer for kids, pets, and the environment.

Neem oil works on lots of pests without harming beneficial insects. Insecticidal soap is a contact poison for soft-bodied insects like aphids and whiteflies. Diatomaceous earth dehydrates crawling insects when it shreds their exoskeleton.

Call The Pros

DIY pest control is great for minor issues.

But you know what isn't DIY? Professional pest control services that get the specialized treatments and long-term management strategies that most homeowners can't match.

Here's when to call the pros:

Your pest problem keeps recurring. Pest professionals have stronger treatments and can help you identify the source of recurring infestations.

You're dealing with destructive pests like termites or carpenter ants. Pests that cause structural damage get worse every day you wait. Termites cause over $5 billion in property damage in the United States each year alone.

The infestation is too big to handle on your own. If 56% of all households deal with ant infestations at some point during their lives, you know how fast a little problem can become a huge one.

You don't know what pest you are dealing with. Misidentification leads to improper treatments and wasted time/money.

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management combines several strategies for better results.

IPM uses preventative, monitoring, and targeted treatment strategies in combination instead of one-off methods. This approach also means less use of chemical pesticides when possible.

IPM works by:

Monitoring your garden regularly so you can catch problems early. Check your plants at least twice per week for pests or signs of damage/disease.

Setting action thresholds. Not all pests need to be treated. Some pest activity is tolerable and not worth the effort of control.

Applying the least toxic control method first. For example, hand-picking insects or installing a physical barrier. Move to biological controls next. Chemical controls are a last resort.

Key Takeaways For Your Garden

Pest control for your garden doesn't have to be complicated.

Start with prevention, healthy soil, proper plant spacing, and good garden hygiene. When pests inevitably show up, natural control methods are the first line of defense.

It's important to remember that some damage is normal and to be expected in the garden. A pest-free garden is an unrealistic goal. You want to keep pest populations low enough that your plants can thrive.

Your action plan: