Natural pest control is a method that protects both the garden plants and that of the environment. To add to that, pesticides may yield unsafe produce of crops or flowers that may be dangerous to consume. That is why natural or organic pest control is the safest and inexpensive way to get rid-off pests in a garden or in a landscaped area.
Prevention is the best and foremost step in natural pest control. Putting-off insects from coming into the garden can be done on the following methods:
- Remove possible habitats of harmful insects. Reduce insect habitat by cleaning and removing possible places where they may survive and breed. These may be debris, weeds, old leaves and mulch. Old mulch can be a breeding ground for harmful insects and their eggs or larvae can survive when this is not removed or cleaned.
- Provide organic soil. To help plants get the proper nourishment, provide organic soil where they may thrive on. Organic fertilizer can be created by mulching or dressing it with compost and other natural fertilizers. This type of fertilizer will ensure stronger and healthier plants which will be far less vulnerable from insect attacks.
- Dispose weak plants. When there are plants that seem to grow slower than the rest and that looks scrawny and weak quickly remove these plants from the garden. These weak plants may be already infected and that may very suitable for predatory insects to breed in.
- Spray seaweed. Seaweeds are great compost activator. Nutrients like barium, calcium, iron, magnesium, sulfur and zinc contained in sprayed seaweed nurture plants in their development and growth. It also strengthens the immunity of plants from diseases and to add to this seaweeds can actually put-off slugs that are equally damaging.
- Maintain dry foliage. Insects and fungus thrives on wet foliage which can damage plants. Keep the foliage dry by watering the plants early in the morning so it can gradually dry up during the day.
- Thoroughly clean garden tools. To prevent any further contamination to other plants, disinfect garden tools that were used for infested plants. Plant pests can easily spread and invade healthy plants from infested garden tools.
- Crop rotation. Rotating crops keeps away pests and helps plants to stay healthy. There are specific types of plants that insect pests target by having crop rotation can prevent them from spreading on the rest of the plants. To add to this crop rotation creates balance with the nutrients and helpful micro organisms in the soil thus keeping the plant healthy and immune to diseases.
Not all insects are harmful to plants. There are many insects that are beneficial in keeping away harmful insects. These insects may feed on pests and their larvae keeping away and reducing the number of harmful insects on gardens. Beneficial insects can be found naturally on garden areas and there are that can be purchased and selected from a catalog.
With all these helpful information on how to control and eliminate pests naturally, one can assure a productive yield and a safer and healthier environment.