What Actions Should You Take When Pests Are Destroying Your Garden?
Pests not only create havoc inside the house but they can also destroy your garden. It is very disappointing when a full-bloomed garden ends unexpectedly due to pest infestation. Here in this article, we will discuss some important steps that can be taken when your garden is infested with pests.
Good soil can discourage pests from your garden. You can add compost, manure, and other organic matter to keep your soil healthy. This will keep your soil clean by adding natural elements and it will help in keeping the pests at bay.
Identify the Pests
Accurate identification of pests will help you get the correct treatment. Different pests require different treatment methods. Monitor your garden regularly to find out pests or any indication of their activity. It is essential to know which kinds of pests you are dealing with before taking pest control services.
Explore and Learn about Pests
Once you have identified, which type of pests are troubling your garden, you should thoroughly research their activities, life cycles, behavior, etc. Understanding their way of life can help you take proper actions to control them. Gather some information online or from gardening books available in the market.
Preventing pests in your garden is much easier than dealing with them. Keep your garden clean. Removing fallen leaves, weeds, and faded blooms is essential because fungi, bugs, and diseases can easily breed on plant matter. Make sure that new plant seeds are not contaminated. Use fertilizers in a balanced way.
Buy pest-resistant seeds
It is important to introduce healthy and disease-resistant seeds in your garden to avoid contamination. These plants can defend themselves from various pests. Preventing pests by planting healthy seeds in your garden is an effective method to keep your garden pest-free.
Add Beneficial Insects
You can attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps by planting flowers in your garden. You can also purchase them from large horticulture supply chains. These plants will help control the pest population in your garden.
Install Physical Barriers
Physical barriers are the most effective and safe way to keep pests away from your garden. You can use netting, row covers, fencing, or mesh screens to prevent birds and larger insects to enter your garden. This will protect your garden from pests allowing proper sunlight and airflow.
Use Companion Planting
You can plant different plants in close proximity to avoid pest infestations. Plants can emit odors that can repel or attract pests. Due to this trait, you can pull pests away from another plant. For example, onions and carrots are planted in alternating rows. Together, they keep carrot flies and onion maggots away. Research combination plants and include them in your garden.
Use Natural Insecticides
You can use soap insecticides, neem oil, cinnamon, garlic, and chilly sprays to repel pests out of your garden. Soap sprays will suffocate them and neem oil will disrupt their lifecycle. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth to control pests like slugs, snails, and beetles.
Handpick large pests like caterpillars and slugs and dispose of them. It should be done regularly, especially in the morning.
Create Permanent Walkways
Permanent pathways can attract beneficial insects while temporary pathways that are tilted each year destroy them and their habitats. Permanent pathways can allow fertility to build over time. Good fertile soil is resistant to catching bugs.
Remove Problematic Plants
If you have contaminated plants, immediately remove them and dispose them of to stop the infestation from further spreading. Like, if there are diseased or infested leaves, pluck them off. This will stop them from contaminating the entire plant.
Practice Crop Rotation
If you grow the same crop in the same place each year, the specific bug will remain in the area waiting for the next planting. Crop rotation means replacing a crop susceptible to a serious pest with one that is not susceptible. This will make pests starve and it will prevent the buildup of a large population of pathogens.
Maintain Plant Health
The best way to combat pests in your garden is to keep the plants healthy. Dust and grime on the plants can attract pests and diseases. Do not forget to wash the plant’s leaves once a week to remove dust. Planting crops too close together will limit the sunshine and air. Planting them farther apart will give them space for ample sunlight and air.
You can place yellow sticky cards in your garden. This can be available in any garden center. Place them on the ground, or between the shoots and branches of plants. This will attract many insects and bugs that are passing through your garden.
Use Organic Insecticides
Spraying with natural insecticides will prevent pests without causing harm to people and the environment. However, you can use natural insecticides according to the instructions. Some organic insecticides are soap, pyrethrin-based sprays, and horticulture oil.
Monitor the situation
After implementing methods of pest control in your garden, keep monitoring its effectiveness. You should take notice of the infestations and the intensity of the damage. Try implementing alternate methods, if one method is not effective. You can also use a combination of multiple methods to combat pests.
Stay Updated.
Gardening is an ever-learning process. Keep learning about the latest techniques and stay informed about the new pests and their treatment methods. Adapt to new pest control strategies to protect your garden from bugs. You can gather information online or by joining gardening groups in your area.
Hire a Pest Control Company
A lot of pest problems can be fixed with these methods but some need professional help. If none of these methods work or the infestation is severe, you can hire a professional pest control company. They know the right treatment and are knowledgeable about the use of pesticides and insecticides in an appropriate way.
Conclusion
Don’t forget, pest prevention is an essential part of garden maintenance. Dealing with pests can never be easy but by following the tips given above. you can enjoy a pest-free garden and also a healthy life. With a little planning, you can enjoy your garden and avoid issues. Remember, to prefer organic and eco-friendly methods that do not harm the ecosystem.
What Actions Should You Take When Pests Are Destroying Your Garden?
