As a gardener, you probably know how much of a nuisance pests can be. From beetles to birds to moles, there are a variety of creatures that can present an issue for your thriving garden. While your first thought may be to turn to pesticides, using these kinds of deterrents can be extremely toxic for the environment, as well as humans and animals. Here are a few environmentally safe garden pest control methods to try instead of using pesticides.
Use Decoys
Using lifelike decoys is one of the most common ways to deter larger pests, such as geese, from disturbing your property, and it’s virtually harmless as well. Purchasing statues of wolves, dogs, and other large birds as a geese deterrent is an effective way to keep these large birds away from your garden, as the decoys will appear to be predators. Decoys range from simple black silhouettes of predatory animals to detailed, lifelike figures, giving you a variety of options when choosing a decoy. To use this method, simply place the decoy in or around your garden to deter geese from disturbing your property.
Environmentally-Friendly Deterrent
Using pesticides to prevent pests from interfering with your property can often do more harm than good, so making sure you’re using an environmentally-friendly deterrent. Using pesticides can cause a number of health issues, such as headaches, dizziness, and in some cases cancer. Pesticides can also pollute our water and air, as well as harm plants and wildlife. Seeking out more eco-friendly pesticide options is crucial in keeping pests away from your garden while also protecting yourself, your pets, and the environment.
Insect-Repelling Plants
One of the most effortless ways to deter pests, specifically insects, from disturbing your garden is by planting pest-repelling plants. This is visually undetectable, and your garden will still look beautiful. One common insect-repelling plant is lemongrass, due to it’s citronella oil. Since citronella oil is commonly used to repel insects, planting lemongrass in your garden can have the same effect. Other plants used to repel insects include chamomile, spearmint, and lavender, as well as venus flytraps, which can be used to ingest insects. Using insect-repelling plants is a great way to deter pests from harming your garden if you would like to keep your garden looking aesthetically pleasing.
DIY Solutions
Another popular method of deterring garden pests is by doing it yourself! There are a variety of ways you can do this, from creating your own insect deterrent sprays to making natural traps. You can create your own traps by using natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda, as well as different oils. Tomato leaves are commonly used as natural insect deterrents, and simply involves steeping 2 cups of tomato leaves in 1 quart of water overnight. The next day, simply strain out the leaves, pour the liquid into a bottle, and spray onto your plants! Creating your own pest deterrents is a fun and eco-friendly way to ensure your garden stays bright and beautiful!