Natural Remedies for Pests in the Garden

29. January 2010 by Carol Whitaker.

One of the biggest mistakes people make in their home landscapes whether it be on their lawn or backyard garden is with their use of pesticides. The constant and continuous use of pesticides creates a toxic environment and puts these chemicals into the soil, the air we breath and even our water supply.

Don’t run out and buy pesticide when you see ants. Consider instead the possibility that soil and plants are not healthy and therefore pests are getting a foothold.

In a garden with lots of plant variety, including natives and good soil, which has been amended with compost and composted animal manures, the plants’ roots become healthier and therefore the plants are stronger when pests appear.

Variety in the garden brings in more variety of insects. With this biodiversity the ecosystem can come into balance with the natural world keeping itself in check.

If you feel you just have to treat for an infestation, try natural remedies. Dish soap and water will kill many pests as readily as many topical pesticides which endanger our health and put known carcinogens into the environment. If the pest is a pernicious one, try soapy water mixed with cooking oil. If you still find you haven’t rid yourself of the pest, add some alcohol to the mix.

If you just don’t feel like making your own mixes, try spraying Neem oil. Why use petroleum based oils, which are known pollutants and carcinogens, when you can use alternatives.

To kill white fly, put equal parts dish soap, cooking oil and water
into a liquid fertilizer applicator and apply as you would any pesticide. Drench the plant and the soil.

As is even necessary with toxic and dangerous pesticides, repeat every 7 to 10 days as needed.

Natural remedies are easy,  safe,  inexpensive, non-toxic. They will not hurt your plants, children, pets or the environment. They work as well as poison and one doesn’t have to worry about where they dispose of the leftovers.

My rule of thumb with plants, is 3 strikes your out. If a plant requires treatment for pests 3 times in a year, I remove it, dispose of it and find a suitable replacement that will do well in the environment in my garden.

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