Organic Garden Pest Control: DYI Step-By-Step Guide

Just like in any natural environment, your garden is home to creatures that provide benefits and those that aren’t so helpful. In most cases, beneficial insects, such as pollinators and predatory insects, can control destructive pests. In some cases, the balance shifts, and a plant can sustain enough damage that you need to take action to prevent further damage.

Organic Pesticides

Most garden pests can be controlled using non-toxic methods, such as handpicking larger insects or blasting them with a strong water spray. Depending on which insect is causing damage, you will need to take different measures. However, pesticides are needed for the garden, even though it would be nice if no pesticides were needed. When left unattended, insects can destroy leaves, flowers, and fruits and spread disease quickly. When a problem needs to be controlled, always choose the least toxic option first.

Organic Garden Pest Control

Neem Oil

Using neem tree seeds to control pests is an organic pest control method. The toxicity of this pesticide is half that of the next safest natural pesticide and ten times that of pyrethrum. In addition, it interferes with the maturation of juveniles. Concentrated neem products like Azapro extract the active ingredient, azadirachtin, to make them more effective. A highly effective insect anti-feeding agent, azadirachtin attacks insects at every life cycle stage. Over 300 different insect species can be controlled with azadirachtin-based products.

Pyrethrum

Insecticides derived from plants, including pyrethrin derived from chrysanthemum plants, are commonly used. Most mammals are not affected by it, making it an especially safe choice. Even at low doses, this insecticide is a powerful, fast-acting deterrent. Although most flying insects drop upon exposure, they may not always die. Manufacturers may mix pyrethrin with other poisons to ensure insect death.

Rotenone

The roots of tropical legumes are used to make this product. The product will work well on plants. It inhibits a cellular process, preventing insects from getting oxygen in their tissues. If you plan on using this near ponds or lakes, be careful, as rotenone is extremely toxic to fish. It kills leaf-feeding caterpillars, beetles, and aphids and thrips on vegetable and fruit crops. However, it will take a few days for it to work since it is a slow-acting chemical.

Insecticidal Soap

Insecticidal soap is a combination of sodium and potassium salts with fatty acids. The insecticidal soap must come in direct contact with the insect. As soon as it dries, it becomes ineffective. Upon contact with the soap, fatty acids penetrate the insect’s outer covering and cause the cells to collapse

Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.)

There are over 80 strains of this bacterium that provide the essential ingredient in this class of pesticide. It is the bacteria that ingest the insects, which prevents digestion. Essentially, it starves the pests. If you choose the right strain, it will specifically target the pest you have identified. Bt is a stomach poison. As a result, the insects stop eating and starve due to the toxins released in their stomachs.

Horticultural Oil

All horticultural oils contain petroleum (paraffin or mineral oil) and work similarly to other organic options. By coating and suffocating insects, it disrupts their feeding. It is most effective against insects with soft bodies. In some cases, it can temporarily fade the blue tint of bluish evergreens.

In case you missed it: Top 10 Benefits of Azadirachtin Pesticide in Agriculture Plants

Diatomaceous Earth

A fossilized skeleton of a microscopic aquatic organism is used to make Diatomaceous Earth (DE). Silica is a natural substance in Earth’s crust that makes up their skeletons. A microscopic piece of glass is an organic pest control method killing bugs when applied directly to plants. Soft-bodied insects such as aphids and caterpillars are cut by sharp particles, causing them to dehydrate and die.

Spinosad

Spinosad is a soil-based bacterium that kills garden pests such as bagworms, borers, beetles, spider mites, tent caterpillars, and loopers. After spinosad dries, it kills insects that ingest it, reducing the chances of harming bees or other beneficial insects if sprayed in the evening. There are several brands of spinosad available under various names. Just look for spinosad as an active ingredient.

Other Methods to Control in Your Garden

Repel pests

Planting strong-scented herbs among or near vegetables can deter pests. Taking this simple step will support your efforts to prevent garden pests. A companion planting technique involves planting plants close to one another to control pests, maximize space, increase crop productivity, and pollinate. It is likely that crops will provide habitat to insects that may feed on nearby insects inhabiting other crops.

Choose Resistant Varieties

Keeping your garden pest-free is as easy as following this simple tip. Pest-resistant plant varieties should be chosen. A variety’s resistance to diseases is listed in a seed catalog. For example, tromboncino squash appears more pest-resistant than other summer squash varieties.

Keep Foliage Dry

It is best to water early in the morning so that foliage will be dry for most of the day. Plants with wet foliage are more likely to be damaged by insects and fungi. Use drip irrigation methods for delivering water to the root systems without wetting the foliage.

Interplant and Rotate Crops

It is common for insect pests to be plant-specific. Mixing crops makes it less likely that pests will spread throughout a crop. Crop rotation is a common practice to avoid re-infestation of pests overwintered in the bed.

Create Permanent Walkways

Temporary pathways tilled each year destroy beneficial insects and their habitats, while permanent pathways encourage them. Depending on your specific situation, you will use different pathway materials. Some of my favorite landscaping materials are white clover, wood chips, or gravel. By having permanent pathways, you can create permanent beds where you can continue to build fertility over time. Your garden’s pest resistance can, of course, be improved by better fertility.

Floating Row Covers

Aphids, thrips, cabbage worms, squash bugs, and other pests can be controlled with floating row covers made of polypropylene- or polyester-based fabric, plastic covers, or canvas tarps. Squirrels, rabbits, birds, and other animals are deterred by them, as well. As well as creating a windbreak and retaining heat, the covers allow water, air, and light to reach the plants. Floating row covers also help control:

Caterpillars on broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage
Maggots on corn and beans
Beetles that like to munch on eggplants, cabbage, potatoes, and cucumbers

Allowing Beneficial insects

It is not true that all insects are destructive pests. Some insects are beneficial because they attack and feed on other insects. For example, ladybugs, lacewings, ladybeetles, praying mantises, and parasitic wasps will benefit your vegetable garden. Plant cornflowers, mountain mints, ornamental grasses, fennel, pussy willow, corn, or golden marguerite around the borders of your garden to attract these types of insects.

In case you missed it: How to Naturally Get Rid of Garden Pests Without Harming Your Plants: DIY Ideas and Tips

Conclusion

Here are some tips for identifying and controlling common garden pests. Be sure to monitor your garden and identify problems as soon as possible. You can practice integrated pest management with a variety of plants, good soil conditions, natural predators like birds, beneficial insects, and healthy soil. If that is the case, you shouldn’t need to use a spray very often.

Organic Garden Pest Control: DYI Step-By-Step Guide

Organic Pesticides