Every garden enthusiast likes his lawn thick and green, his flowers lush and colorful, and, above all, a garden free of pests. Creepy crawlies and other pests serve a purpose in nature, but most gardeners consider them uninvited guests. Even though certain types of insects are beneficial, many of them can cause destruction. To keep the situation under control, the following are some lawn and garden pest control tips:
An ounce of prevention
Instead of fighting garden pests, try preventing them by preparing the soil properly. You could treat a vegetable patch or flowerbed with mineral or vegetable oils, or specially formulated vegetable soaps. Other options include planting rhubarb, tobacco, garlic, marigolds, cosmos, cat-mint or coriander -- all plants that garden pests hate.
You could also try planting "pest-chasing" herbs in your flowerbeds or vegetable patch. Consult your local nursery to find out which herbs can help control pests in your area.
Pay attention
You can't protect your garden against every bug, but it's unlikely that every bug will visit your garden. The most logical thing to do is to pay attention to which pests are interested in your flowers and vegetables. If you see a caterpillar, using a defense against ants doesn't make sense and wastes money.
Think organic
When you shop for garden pest-control products, give preference to organic over chemical. Chemical products can do more than just harm the pests, they can harm you and your family when absorbed into your produce, as well as affect pets if they get the chemical on their feet.
By using organic matter, you are not only fighting today's problem areas, you are feeding the soil and protecting future growth that will be healthy and disease-free. Try some fish emulsion, bone meal, manure, or kelp.
Keep in mind that the best time to treat your garden with organic products is not during the day when the sun is out. Pest control products in combination with the heat of the sun can be damaging to the plants.
Lawn protection
To keep slugs and snails off your lawn, make sure there is nothing there for them to make a home. These pests love rocks, stones, wooden items and boxes. By simply keeping your lawn clutter free, you will discourage them from visiting you.
When you brew your morning coffee, keep the coffee grounds and scatter them around areas you want to protect from slimy pests. Pulverized egg shells and wood ash work as well.
If you already have slugs or snails and want to get rid of them, set a trap. These pests can't resist a saucer of beer. Check the saucer periodically and dispose of the beer-loving visitors.
Useful insects
In your battle against lawn and garden pests, don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Some pests, such as bees, lacewings, and ladybugs, are beneficial to your garden. Ladybugs feed on smaller insects, while lacewings and bees chase some of them away.
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