7 Eco-Friendly Pest Control Options to Try in Your Garden
When creating your dream garden, there’s nothing worse than the sight of bugs and other unwelcome critters. Although you may feel tempted to contact a pest control company, the harsh pesticides they use can be dangerous for children, animals, and the environment.
Whether you’re aiming for a total green home renovation or just regular garden maintenance, being eco-conscious can make your home safer and more environmentally friendly.
In this guide, we explain a range of eco-friendly pest control options you can try, such as nutrient-rich soil, spices, and more. With these methods, you can keep the bugs away without the harmful chemicals. Keep reading to learn 7 ways to practice eco-friendly pest control in your yard or indoor garden.
1. Use Nutrient-Rich Soil
One of the problems with pesticides is that they remove all bugs from your garden, even though some pests are actually helpful for your plants. To keep those ones alive, switch out your pesticide for nutrient-rich soil made from compostable food waste.
2. Plant Helpful Herbs
Another way to get the right pests in your garden is to plant certain herbs. These beneficial herbs include lavender, basil, and rosemary. They’ll help bring in the bugs you want, while keeping the bad ones away from your garden.
3. Spray on the Spices
To keep the bad bugs away, you can create a solution with powerful spices and spray it on your window sill. Simply combine a cup of water with any of the following spices:
● Bay leaves
● Salt
● Black pepper
● Cayenne
● Cinnamon
● Turmeric
● Paprika
● Cloves
4. Try Essential Oil Spray
Natural cleaning sprays will also help ward off unwanted pests. Just mix one teaspoon of an essential oil of your choice, one-quarter cup of vinegar, and one cup of water, and spray the solution on your plants. Here are some essential oils you can use:
● Tea tree
● Eucalyptus
● Lavender
● Citronella
● Peppermint
● Lemongrass
5. Bring in the Birds
Attracting birds is another natural way to keep the pests out of your plants. They can help remove snails, caterpillars, and other bugs. To keep the birds coming, try using a bird feeder and nesting boxes. These additions can both remove pests and add a nice touch to your yard.
6. Opt for Natural Pesticides
There are lots of natural pesticides on the market that can keep away the bugs without damaging your garden’s visitors or the environment. One example is organic pyrethrum spray, which you can spritz onto any affected areas of your plants.
7. Apply Microbial Insecticide
Microbial insecticides like Bacillus thuringiensis are eco-friendly microorganisms that help prevent pests from invading your garden. To use them, put on gloves, long sleeves, and long pants and spray the bugs away. Be sure to wash your hands after you use microbial insecticides to prevent any allergies from flaring up.
Simply by trying out these tips, you can keep the pests away from your garden without harming your children, pets, or the atmosphere. Make sure your home is protected with home insurance in the event that pests damage your home.
For even more eco-friendly pest control options, check out the infographic here.
