It is estimated that garden pests cause crop yield losses of at least 40% yearly. It is quite disappointing when a hopeful growing season ends because of pests.
Garden pest control is essential in maintaining your garden for healthy production. The best part is that these pests can be controlled without pesticides.
If you have a garden, you must be ready to be at war with pests. What’s in your arsenal? Here’s a helpful guide to garden pest control.
Take Advantage of Pests’ Natural Enemies
Some insects such as spiders, parasitic wasps, ground beetles, and ladybirds are quite beneficial to the garden as they kill pests. Planting nectar and pollen-producing plants will actually encourage these garden-friendly insects which will be beneficial to your crops.
Use Barriers
This is a great way to repel garden pests as it stops pests from getting to your crops. There are several ways to do this but using a fine net is one of the simplest ways.
Put the net over your crops, and leave enough room for the plant to develop. Placing cardboard into the soil an inch deep or more and around the plant’s stem, will prevent burrowing pests from attacking your plants through the soil.
Companion Planting
Some plants naturally get rid of garden pests by acting as a repellant, hence useful when planted next to crops.
Planting basil repels tomato hornworms; garlic helps deter spider mites and aphids and marigolds planted with cucumbers repel nematodes and cucumber beetles.
Keep Your Soil Healthy
Before planting, till your garden and add organic matter to supply essential nutrients to the crops. Nutritious soil produces sturdier crops that have resistance to any destruction sustained by the pests.
Hand-Pick Larger Pests
This is a great way of yard pest control. It can be quite efficient, particularly for small gardens. If you’re feeling uneasy doing this, try putting on a pair of gardening gloves or hire a garden pest control company to do this for you.
Use the Right Pesticides
There are several types of pesticides available to help fight and regulator unwanted pests in the garden. Below are just a few:
Spray Chemicals
This is a liquid form of pesticide applied with a boom sprayer. They have a wide variety of formulations and are readily available.
Slug Pellets
These are bright blue pellets that are spread around plants to kill snails and slugs that would destroy your plants. They are effective and quick.
Organic Pesticides
They are perfect to be used on vegetables and fruits. They contain no chemicals but still kill unwelcome pests.
Consider Crop Rotation
Wondering how to control pests in your garden? Try crop rotation as it helps reduce pest infestation by planting different kinds of crops in different sections of your garden each year. This will make the insects move in search of food which puts them in danger of being attacked by other insects and birds.
Garden Pest Control You Can Count On
Garden pest control can be very tasking but doing so will improve your yields and hence improve your profits. Follow the above gardening tips to fortify your garden’s immune system.
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