Natural ways to get rid of garden pests for a green garden

Looking for some natural ways to get rid of garden pests? It’s not that difficult –  I’ll guide you on which substances you should be using, and how you can find the greener, more natural ways to make sure that your garden is gorgeous! But first, a little story!

I was at Home Depot a few days ago picking up some drawer liner material when I noticed all the products that said “weed killer,” “bug killer,” “flying insect killer,” “pest killer,” “kill your weeds and keep your lawn green,” and more.

The list of products that were stacked up to kill something overwhelmed me so I started reading their labels. I couldn’t believe the warnings and cautions that were on the package for children and animals and to watch out in which direction the wind was blowing, and if exposed call poison control or go to the emergency room!

As you know anything that kills any living thing is also dangerous to humans and can kill us and our pets! It’s just a matter of how much you’re exposed to and for how long you’re exposed to it! Most people get sick and don’t realize what might have made them sick. One of the main suggestions, and this should be pretty clear, is do not buy anything that has the word kill on it or has the skull-and-crossbones warning on it!

Let’s start out with some solutions to detour, control and prevent insects from invading your space.

Diatomaceous Earth (Food grade)

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a natural occurring rock made from the skeletons of fossilized hard-shelled algae. You can buy it online and most real health food stores carry it as a food grade fine powder. It is chemical-free and non-toxic and will destroy a wide variety of insects because it absorbs their body’s fluids causing them to die.

• You can sprinkle it all around the edge of your home where insects enter, around window sills and doors.

• You can put it in your lawn spreader, with or without your organic fertilizer, to eliminate fleas, ticks chiggers and other biting insects that attach themselves to pets. You can sprinkle it on your bushes with a strainer.

• You can apply diatomaceous earth on your garden soil and plants to protect them from vegetable-loving insects. Make a ring around the stem on the soil to prevent crawly insects from munching stems, but avoid applying to flowers where beneficial insects like bees, ladybugs and butterflies visit.

• You can pour it over fire ant hills to destroy the colony, sprinkle it in your compost pile to reduce odor and control flies and sprinkle it around garbage cans to keep flies away.

In your home you can sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the baseboards and cracks where pests enter the home, as well as on furniture and rugs. You will want to do this when your kids and pets are not sniffing around and then vacuum a few hours later before the kids and pets return.

When building a new home or doing remodeling or an addition, it is a great time to put diatomaceous earth around your foundation and between the insulation and the outside wall where critters might try to get in.

Warning: Always use food grade Diatomaceous Earth. Avoid inhaling or getting it in your eyes.

Essential oils and herbs that deter bugs.

In addition, it’s easy to get rid of bugs with some basic essential oils, and by making use of marigolds amid your flowers and plants. Marigolds give off a strong scent that insects don’t like and thus they avoid the entire area.

Mosquitoes: Spray of lemon oil and eucalyptus oil. Catnip oil repels mosquitoes as does Citronella. You can find formulas of these oils at your local real health food store without any toxic additives.

Flies and Fruit flies: Use a narrow neck bottle with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and sugar to attract them. They will be attracted and end up drowned in the bottom of the bottle.

Ants in your kitchen do not like ground cinnamon, and if they’re already in the kitchen, wipe down your counters with 50/50 white vinegar and water to wipe out the ants trails.

Moths and other insects: Lavender essential oil on a cotton ball placed in your closets and drawers repels them

A solution for weeds.

Mix 1 gallon of white vinegar with 1 cup of table salt and 1 tablespoon of liquid dish detergent. Put the mixture into a plastic spray bottle and spray directly on targeted weeds. The oil in soap naturally breaks down the surface of waxy or hairy weed leaves.

By making use of these natural ways to get rid of garden pests, your garden will be green and lush year round and also safe for kids and animals to play around in! If you’re interested in clean living in your kitchen, don’t forget to check out the following article!