Here are 9 veggie-bug-fighting strategies:
- 1. Out-smart/out-maneuver Start by choosing varieties that are naturally resistant to and/or tolerant of bugs. ...
- 2. Ignore Some bug damage is temporary, cosmetic, or partial. ...
- 3. Protect plants with barriers ...
- 4. Use repellents ...
- 5. Trap bugs ...
- 6. Manual removal ...
- 7. Get to know beneficial bugs ...
- 8. Use “biocontrols” ...
How do I keep Bugs out of my vegetable garden?
Many herbs and flowers drive insects away on their own. Marigolds, chives, mint, basil, and cilantro can all help keep insects out of your vegetables. Plant these in and around your garden area to form a barrier that most bugs won’t want to cross. [3] Water your plants early in the morning. Download Article
How do you protect plants from pests?
Another option, when you only need to cover a few plants, is to use wire or PVC hoops which should be covered with cloth, and place them over the desired plants. Once the plants are covered, they are protected from any pests who might try to attack them.
What can I spray on my plants to keep bugs away?
If you’ve tried store-bought insecticides or pesticides to no avail, or you are trying to garden organically, you might want to try these natural options. You can spray garlic spray, mineral oil, or salt spray on your plants to deter pests.
How do I keep snails out of my vegetable garden?
Placing a copper ring around the base of plants will help deter slugs and snails. A floating row cover that is either laid on the plants or held up by wire hoops can be used to keep insects at bay. If you have a large garden, you may want to consider adding a few more plants to the mix.
How do I keep bugs out of my vegetable garden?
Use Physical Barriers Insect mesh or floating row covers will stop just about any pest from getting near your hard-won crops. Allow covers to rest on the plants or support them on hoops. Secure them around the edges so pests can't gain access by just walking in at soil level.
What can I put on my vegetable plants to keep bugs from eating them?
Spread crushed eggshells beneath the targeted plants and creepy-crawlies will move along. Make A Stink: Many aromatic herbs, like yarrow, citronella, mint, fennel, catnip, basil, and lemongrass are natural deterrents for garden pests from aphids to potato beetles.
What is a natural insect repellent?
Botanical repellents, which often have “natural” on the label, can include any number of plant-based chemicals. Some common ones are lemongrass, citronella, peppermint, geraniol, soybean, and rosemary.
How do you keep bugs from eating your leaves?
Vinegar is available mostly in all households. A mix of three-table spoon of vinegar in a liter of water can be sprayed on the plant to ward off pest effectively. The oil and soap mix effectively works on aphids, spiders, mites, thrips, whitefly, lacebugs, scale and mealybugs.
How do I keep bugs off my plants without pesticides?
Vegetable Oil Similar to soap spray, a vegetable oil insecticide is a good way to get rid of annoying bugs. The soap and oil combo coats the insects' bodies and helps banish them from your beloved garden. Use 1 tablespoon of mild soap (like dish soap or castile soap) to 1 cup of vegetable oil.
Does vinegar keep bugs away from plants?
Vinegar is a really effective natural bug killer for plants. Dilute it 1:1 with water in a spray bottle and spray it over and under the leaves of affected plants. You can also use it around the house to deter bugs inside; the vinegary smell will quickly dissipate.
What is eating holes in my plant leaves?
Slugs and snails chew leaf holes in many plant types, including hibiscus, hosta, basil, cabbage, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and pepper plants. Leaf holes from slugs and snails offer these clues: Holes are large and irregular in shape. Hole edges are relatively smooth.
How do I keep bugs from eating my peppers?
Whisk together 1 tablespoon of dawn dish soap, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and 1 gallon of warm soft water (tap water is preferred) in a bucket. After it's mixed, spray and apply it in an even coat to the entire plant and coat the underside of the leaves where pests like to hide.
What to plant to keep bugs out of vegetables?
Many herbs and flowers drive insects away on their own. Marigolds, chives, mint, basil, and cilantro can all help keep insects out of your vegetables. Plant these in and around your garden area to form a barrier that most bugs won’t want to cross.
How to keep plants from getting pests?
Any leaves touching the ground are more vulnerable to pests. If you have any droopy or viney plants, use wooden stakes to lift them up and off the soil. If you’re growing tall plants, like tomatoes, use metal cages to point them upright so they stay off the ground.
Why do my vegetables keep getting nibbles?
If you’ve noticed that your leaves keep getting munched on or your vegetables have little nibbles on them, you might be dealing with garden insects. While it’s tough to protect your garden completely from nature, there are steps you can take to limit the amount of insects in your area and keep your crops safe. Try using a few of these methods in conjunction with each other to stop bugs from enjoying your delicious garden.
How to get rid of large bugs in garden?
These large bugs are easy to spot and remove. Either relocate them to a new area that’s far away, or drown them in water mixed with dish soap. This works well if you have a smaller garden, but it might be a little labor intensive for large areas.
How to keep fungus off plants?
Keep your plants fungus-free with a watering schedule. Plants are used to having dew cling to their leaves in the morning. Try to give your garden some water early in the day before the sun is high in the sky. Watering your plants late in the day when they’re sunning themselves can lead to fungus gnats, so try not to spray them down in the afternoon.
What are the most common pests in the garden?
Caterpillars are one of the most common garden pests, and they can do some serious damage to any leafy greens you have growing.
How to disperse pests in soil?
This helps disperse any pests in the soil. Use a hoe or a tiller to disturb the soil and mix up the top few layers of dirt. If there are any grasses or weeds growing in the area, pull those out first to avoid mixing the weed seeds in with your crops.
How to keep pests down in garden?
There are ways to keep insect pest populations down in the garden without ever using any harmful substances. Companion Plants. When planting your vegetable garden always leave a little room for "companion plants.". Companion planting is a practice by which you include certain types of plants that lure beneficial insects into your garden.
How to get rid of insects on a plant?
Here's a few simple homemade insects control formulas: Soft-bodied Insects (mites, aphids, mealybugs): Mix one tablespoon canola oil and a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Shake well and pour into a spray bottle. Spray plant from above down, and from below up to get the underside of the leaves.
How to make a mite spray?
Mites & Other Insects:Mix two tablespoons of hot pepper sauce or cayenne pepper with a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Let stand overnight, then stir and pour into a spray bottle and apply as above. Shake container frequently during application.
How to keep plants from sucking on potatoes?
Potato Starch Spray:Mix two to four tablespoons of potato flour in one quart of water. Add two to three drops of non-detergent liquid soap. This will also protect the plants from insect that feed on liquid, also called sucking insects, in the plants.
What are the beneficial insects that eat caterpillars?
Here's a list of beneficial insects and the plants that attract them: Brachonids, Chalcids and Ichneumon Wasps- These small beneficial insects destroy leaf-eating caterpillars. You can attract them to your garden by planting carrots, celery, parsley, caraway and Queen Anne's lace.
What plants are good for squash bugs?
Marigolds and Nasturtium- These can handle a slew of buggy challenges. They thwart bugs that can harm your tomatoes, potatoes and strawberries including tomato hornworms, squash bugs, and whiteflies. The smell of marigolds will help to also deter rabbits and squirrels.
What is the best plant to grow for luring insects?
Dill - This is one of the best plants for luring beneficial insects into the garden. Dill flowers are very high in nectar and it is also one of the most useful of seasonings for cooking.
Steps Of Vegetable Garden Pest Control
Look for Signs of Damage: Although they may be small, garden pests leave behind some obvious signs. You may already have noticed that your garden seems lackluster and less vibrant than normal. Though, looking for a few telltale hints can let you know for sure if pests are involved.
North Texas Pest Control
A pest-free garden that is healthy, strong, and ready for harvesting is every gardener’s dream. Don’t let unwanted insects claim the health of your plants and destroy your hard work.
What to do if you clean up debris from your garden?
If you clean up debris from the plants you don’t give disease or pests anywhere to hide, which will give your garden a layer of protection. 2. Sturdy Fences Make Good Neighbors. If you are dealing with larger pests in your garden, like deer, consider adding a sturdy fence to the perimeter of your yard or property.
What bugs can you see in your garden?
There are certain bugs in your garden you will be able to see easily. Bugs like slugs, Japanese Beetles, cabbage worms, and squash bugs should be visible. When you see them, pick them off your plants and remove them from your garden.
What to do if you have powdery mildew on grapes?
If you find powdery mildew forming on your plants, create a soapy water solution with milk added to it. This is a natural way to rid your garden of this disease.
Why is mulch important?
It is important to mulch around the base of your plants. Mulch will keep dirt from getting on the stem of your plants when being watered.
Why is crop rotation important?
Crop rotation is important in every garden. If you leave your plants in the same place year after year, pests begin to know where to go to feed. It also gives diseases a chance to take root in your soil.
Why is it important to pull weeds?
Stay on Top of Weeds. Weeds will not only give pests and disease an excellent breeding ground, but they also compete with your plants for nutrients. Therefore, it is important to pull weeds as soon as you see them. If you allow them to take over your garden, it is difficult to get them back under control.
How to keep deer from eating my food?
If you are dealing with larger pests in your garden, like deer, consider adding a sturdy fence to the perimeter of your yard or property. These fences will make it difficult for the deer to munch on your food. They’ll begin to look for another food source which isn’t quite as hard to reach.
How to keep slugs away from vegetables?
To keep slugs away, make a beer trap with beer and a shallow container. You can upcycle a yogurt cup to make the trap; just fill it with beer, leaving an inch between the rim of the cup. Bury the cup so the top is level with the soil.
What to use to deter groundhogs from eating squash?
Fences made from chicken-wire will also work to deter groundhogs. Deer will eat just about anything if food is scarce, but you should take particular care to fence off your basil, bok choy, brussels sprouts, chard, cilantro, kale, melon, okra, summer squash, radish, potatoes, and winter squash.
What are some plants that deter deer from eating?
Plant Barrier Plants. Plants can act as natural deterrents to certain species. Just as certain plants can keep mosquitoes away, rosemary, garlic, and oregano can deter deer from entering your garden and chowing down on your veggies.
How high should a fence be for a vegetable garden?
If you have a rabbit problem, fences should be at least three feet high.
Can dogs keep mice away from my garden?
It might seem counterintuitive — actually, a lot of these garden-protecting methods seem counterintuitive — but other animals might be able to keep animals away from your garden . Outdoor dogs are great for keeping away deer and some species of dogs — like huskies, for example — might even deign to catch mice, voles, chipmunks, or birds.
Can you cover vegetables with chicken wire?
Like fencing, plant coverings can work wonders. Of course, they won’t do much for burrowing animals , but covering your vegetables in netting, garden fabric, or even chicken wire can protect your beloved veggies from groundhogs, birds, and squirrels.
Is gardening a good hobby?
Gardening is a fun and rewarding hobby — not to mention, sustainable and delicious. But gardening can also be fickle, especially if the neighborhood squirrels, deer, and birds have realized how tasty your hobby is. Article continues below advertisement.
What keeps birds away from my house?
Metallic streamers, or bird tape, or an old-fashioned scarecrow may keep birds away, though you'll have to move it around daily. "You can't let it just sit there. Otherwise, once they get used to it, that particular technique loses its effectiveness," says Drake. Motion-activated sprinklers or lights are another possibility for mammals.
How to keep marauders away from my yard?
Open compost piles attract all kinds of creatures that then discover the other delicacies in your backyard, says Drake. Use a self-contained compost bin with a lid to keep marauders away. And if you feed your pets outdoors, be sure to bring their bowls inside after meals so you won't attract skunks, opossums, and raccoons.
How to stop rabbits from nibbling on my plants?
Sometimes you can eliminate nibbling opportunities by elevating pots or planting in raised beds. A raised bed two feet or taller will limit rabbit damage, especially if you add a short fence on top. Pots can be mounted on railings, or try planting greens in window boxes out of the reach of hungry bunnies.
How do taste repellents work?
Taste repellents are sprayed on vulnerable plants. They repel by flavor or by causing the animal to feel sick when they ingest the treated plant. "It's sort of like if you ate at a buffet and became ill," says Drake. "You wouldn't want to go back there anytime soon, and neither does the animal.".
What animals eat grass and grass?
Rabbits make sharp cuts on herbaceous and woody plants and may leave pellet droppings. Groundhogs leave large mounds of dirt 10" to 12" in diameter at entrance to their burrows, typically eating greens, not woody shrubs. Birds peck holes in fruit or steal it before you even know it's ripe.
What to do if you live in a less urban area?
If you live in a less urban area, let the shrubs and grasses around the edges of your yard go a little wild. "If there are a lot of other opportunities for food around you, your garden will be less attractive," says Tarr. "Animals will be less likely to come out into the middle of the yard to your garden to expose themselves to predators ...
Can new plants withstand grazing damage?
The animals can sense those micronutrients, and they're naturally attracted to them.". New plants also cannot withstand as much grazing damage as established plantings. Fence off or use trunk wraps or protectors for new plants and shrubs once you put them in the ground.
