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For our health and the long-term health of our garden, we like to stick to natural ways to control garden pests. Just like natural remedies for our bodies they often take a little more time and consistency but are more beneficial in the long run.

I’m often in awe of God’s design of things and the garden is no exception. Plants and nature can work together in fascinating ways if we help set them up to do so. Pests are part of the territory of gardening but there are several natural ways to control garden pests while not deterring the good bugs, avoid producing pesticide-resistant bugs, and maintain the soil’s healthy ecosystem. It can also be more cost effective!

Here are several natural ways to control
garden pests.

1) Attract Beneficial Insects with Companion Planting

Planting certain crops together can deter pests. For example, marigolds can repel nematodes, and garlic can repel aphids. Add a variety of these plants to your garden to attract insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps, which prey on garden pests.
Types of plants that attract these types of insects for natural ways to control garden pests: lavender, sunflowers, marigolds, yarrow, cosmos, borage, alyssum, calendula, dill, fennel, mint, cilantro, and thyme.

2) Neem oil

Neem oil is a natural insecticide and fungicide derived from the neem tree. You want to get 100% cold-pressed neem oil for it to be effective. It works as a natural pesticide in the garden, fighting off a wide range of pests while also deterring fungal diseases. Applied as a spray, it disrupts pests’ growth and reproduction, which helps to control infestations and future reoccurrence. Plus, its antifungal properties help prevent diseases like powdery mildew and rust. You can get it here.

The Pros: It promotes garden health without harming beneficial insects, its non-toxic to humans and animals, and is biodegradable.

To use in your garden: Mix according to instructions and add 1 Tbsp of castile soap per gallon to help the oil mix with the water. Spray plants in the early morning or evening, avoiding full sun exposure to prevent burning the leaves! Apply every couple of days to effectively interrupt life cycles. Reapply after rain.

Effective against: aphids, mites, whiteflies, beetles, caterpillars, mealybugs, scale insects, thrips, and leafhoppers. It can also deter certain species of ants, mosquitoes, and cockroaches!

3) Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine powder made from fossilized diatoms. It kills garden pests by piercing their exoskeletons and causing dehydration. DE acts as a barrier, deterring and harming soft-bodied and hard-shelled pests as they crawl through it. You can find it at your local farm store or order some here.

Natural Pros: It’s safe for humans, pets, and beneficial insects.

To use diatomaceous earth in your garden: Sprinkle a thin layer around plant bases and garden beds and anywhere crawling pests enter the garden. It will stay effective as long as it’s dry. Reapply after rain.

Avoid applying directly to flowers to protect beneficial insects.

*Note: Wear a mask and gloves when applying. DE is as abrasive on our lungs as it is to bug’s bodies!

Effective on: ants, aphids, beetles, slugs, snails, crickets, Japanese beetles, squash bugs, grasshoppers, flea beetles, pill bugs.

4) Homemade sprays

Solutions made from ingredients like herbs, hot peppers, and soap can deter pests when sprayed on plants. See below for the Homemade Pest Spray recipe.

5) Physical barriers

Use row covers, netting, or barriers to physically block pests from accessing your plants. This is something to consider if you have certain plants that seem to get attacked pretty heavily. Brassicas do in our area.

6) Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is a method of pest control where different plant species are grown in succession in the same area. By rotating crops, pests that are specific to certain plants are disrupted in their lifecycle, reducing their populations. It also helps break disease cycles and improves soil health by varying nutrient needs.

7) Organic Mulch

Mulching with materials like straw, leaves, or natural wood chips can create a barrier between pests and the soil, reducing pest populations. This also helps to retain moisture allowing you to water less!

8) Handpicking

I don’t think of myself as someone who’s afraid to get in the dirt but handpicking bugs off plants for some reason creeps me out. But thankfully we have gloves! When there is an infestation the quickest way to knock it down is to pick off any bugs or eggs you see and drop them in a cup of soapy water to kill them.

9) Black light

Tomato hornworms can consume a tomato plant before you even realize they are there! When this first happened to us it seemed like overnight they stripped the branches of all their leaves. Leaving us a sad bare tomato plant. Black lights are a handy tool because though you can hardly see these green worms against the green plant they glow under a black light! So grab a little blacklight flashlight and shine on all your tomato plants after dark to spot them while they’re little.

Benefits of using natural methods to control pests

Environmental sustainability: Natural pest control methods are typically eco-friendly and do not harm the environment or disrupt ecosystems. They reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals, which can have negative impacts on soil health, water quality, and non-target organisms.

Safety: Natural pest control methods are safer for humans, pets, and beneficial organisms in the garden. Unlike chemical pesticides, they do not leave harmful residues on plants or in the soil, making them ideal for organic gardening and promoting overall health and well-being.

Cost-effectiveness: Many natural pest control methods can be implemented inexpensively or even for free using common household items or natural materials found in the garden. This can save money on expensive chemical pesticides and reduce the need for repeated applications.

Promotion of biodiversity: Natural pest control methods often work by promoting biodiversity in the garden. By encouraging the presence of beneficial insects, birds, and other organisms that prey on pests, natural pest control methods help maintain a balanced ecosystem where pests are kept in check without the need for human intervention.

Long-term effectiveness: While chemical pesticides may provide quick results, they can also lead to the development of pesticide-resistant pests and disrupt natural pest control mechanisms. Natural methods, on the other hand, tend to be more sustainable in the long run, as they work with nature rather than against it.

For more tips on growing a successful natural garden check out How to Grow a Garden a Beginner Guide.