For new and veteran growers alike, figuring out how to keep critters out of the garden, such as insects, is a constant challenge. From fences to repel deer and rabbits to simple barriers to deter ants, specific garden pest require varying repellents. Ultimately, maintaining a pest-free garden is a game of whack-a-mole. However, with some patience and understanding of what attracts pests, such as ants, then these critters do not need to ruin a garden and growing season. The following offers insights and common methods to keep insects out of your garden.
WHY ARE Insects Attracted to Gardens?
By understanding the root cause that attracts insects, along with other common garden pests, such as possums, you can effectively deter these pests from your garden (with patience). Like humans, the underlying reason animals are attracted to gardens are food and shelter. In particular, gardens provide a suitable shelter with plenty of food for insects.
- Food: The new stalks of emerging peas and tomato plants and leaves provide ample sustenance.
- Shelter: Garden pests, like ants and insects, seek shelter and gardens are filled with warm and sunny spots, along with plenty of leaves that provide excellent hiding spots from predators.
- Moisture: In addition to food and shelter, water is the other foundational element that attracts pests, such as ants and mosquitoes. As plants need water, the surrounding area is very moist, which offers a sufficient water supply for insects.
5 Common Insects that Invade Gardens
In addition to understanding the underlying cause of an infestation in your garden, knowing the type of insect can help prioritize deterrents. To help, the following are the most common garden insects that may pose an issue during the growing season.
- Aphids: Small, sap-sucking insects that work quickly to infest plants, which leads to stunted growth and distorted leaves.
- Caterpillars: During the larval stage of butterflies and moths, caterpillars ruin gardens by voraciously eating leaves and fruits (as the children’s book notes).
- Spider Mites: Attracted to moist soil, spider mites are tiny pests that create webs and suck plant sap, along with feeding on decaying organic matter.
- Squash Bugs: Mainly an issue for gardens with squash, pumpkins, melons and other cucurbit plants, these insects suck the juice of these plants, which destroys the fruit and causes leaves to turn yellow to brown or potentially cause the plants to wilt.
- Snails and Slugs: Mollusks, such as snails and slugs, ruin gardens by feeding on leaves and fruits, which leaves behind holes and tattered leaves (along with slime trails).
10 Ways to Keep Insects Out of Gardens
While understanding what attracts insects (and other pests) to gardens, along with common insects is helpful, it does keep them out. From natural repellents to routine maintenance and more, the following offers 10 common ways to keep insects out of your garden.
Insect-Resistant Plants
One of the most effective, and pleasing ways, to keep insects out of gardens is simply to incorporate insect-resistant plants. This natural deterrent is very common, regardless of the pest, but requires knowledge of which plants help repel what pests. For insects, then plants such as lavender, marigolds, lemongrass and more are frequently planted for this reason. Adding these plants within your desired plants is also known as companion planting.
Natural Sprays
Similar to insect-resistant plants, there are natural scents that repel insects as well. The most common scents include mint, garlic, neem oil and even soap. Simply create a homemade spray with the plant of your choice with some water and spray around the plants in your garden, around the border or infested areas. It may take a few days, so remain patient and spray daily for the most effective results.
Beneficial Insects
Like all animals, insects also have natural predators, such as ladybugs and lacewings. Therefore, a common way to repel insects is introducing a natural predator into the garden. Importantly, as Oregon State University notes, insect predators, such as ladybugs eat aphids and not plants!
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural deterrent. DE is a powder made from fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms (called diatoms). To repel insects, then sprinkle DE around the garden and base of plants. Finally, DE works best to deter soft-bodied insects like slugs and aphids.
Nematodes
Nematodes are microscopic organisms that do not repel insects but rather infect insects with symbiotic bacteria within their bodies. Upon infecting insects, the bacteria is released and kills the insect. Experts consider nematodes an environmentally friendly insecticide but generally work better to repel insects in the soil (vs on the leaves). Consider applying them to the soil around plants to reduce the insect and/or ant population in your garden.
Mulch
Insects are seeking shelter and water in gardens. Moist soil, which is necessary for a healthy garden, is an ideal habitat. To help combat this shelter and water source, then add organic mulch in the garden to create a barrier that can deter insects, while also retaining soil moisture.
Garden Maintenance
As laborious as it may seem, regular garden maintenance, such as weeding, helps remove shelter as an underlying reason for an insect infestation. Additionally, remove, such as fallen leaves, fruits, and other organic matter that may attract insects (and other pests) as a source of food. Finally, keep plants well-pruned to prevent pests from accessing overhanging branches and trim back vegetation that touches the ground or other plants. By reducing dense foliage, it is more difficult for insects to find shelter and hide.
Handpicking
Related to weeding, pruning and general garden maintenance, inspect garden flowers and plants for insects. Simply looking at your garden and manually removing insects, such as caterpillars and aphids, will keep them out of the garden.
Row Covers
Row covers are lightweight fabric covers that can be incorporated over plants and flowers. These row covers work to protect plants from insect invasions while also allowing light and moisture to penetrate and allow for a healthy garden.
Trap Crops
For gardeners with extra space in their yards, trap crops are an effective option. With trap crops, the idea is simple. Plant a sacrificial crop, such as coneflowers, that attract insects. In theory, the scents and smells from these plants attract insects, which means they stay out of your main garden.
As frustrating as it may be, it is possible to keep insects out of a garden. With some patience and incorporating a variety of common deterrents, then you can enjoy a healthy growing season.
Use Pest Control to Get Insects Out of a Garden
If these proactive and mostly natural measures do not work, then consider professional pest control to provide peace of mind knowing that your home and family remain safe.
When you call Eliminate ‘Em, you’re guaranteed the best pest control and extermination services at the best price. Our technicians are standing by to rid your home of summer bugs today! Additionally, Eliminate ‘Em offers your family fast, reliable, and safe pest removal. You can call us 24/7 and expect:
- Knowledgeable, licensed and certified technicians
- Sealed entry points, so that ants won’t come back in the future
- Only EPA-approved solutions and products to be used in your home
- Same-day service – and we’re always on time!
With these strategies, you can protect your garden and enjoy the fruits of your labor without the nuisance of pests, such as insects ruining your garden. Eliminate ’Em Pest Control Services provides you with fast, professional, courteous service and licensed technicians to handle all of your pest control, wildlife and inspection needs. Plus, we offer same-day services and free estimates to help control insects around the house and other nuisance animals, such as ants, mice, ticks, and more. Professional technicians are available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get rid of any insects, rodents or wildlife that are causing damage or creating a nuisance in and around your home. Contact us today!
