7 Common Garden Pests and How to Remove Them
Ahhh gardening… time to soak up some sun, get a little physical activity and nurture an award-worthy rose bush through its youth. Whatever your reason for digging around in the dirt, it’s absolutely devastating to return to your garden only to find that pests have been terrorizing your leafy throne. Luckily, there are steps you can take to deter some common garden pests without harming your beloved hostas.
What’s more, by deterring common garden pests, you’ll avoid some potential health risks.
Deterring and Removing Garden Pests Reduces Your Risk of:
- Skin inflammation
- Allergic reactions
- Skin rashes
- Respiratory problems
- Salmonella
- Consuming contaminated food
Not all garden visitors are pests, but many aren’t exactly friends either. Here are 10 pests to steer clear of and a few ways to prevent and remove them.
Garden Pests to Remove
Insects
1. Aphids. These little guys pose a threat to your garden because they consume leaves, spread plant diseases and secrete large amounts of honeydew, which attracts other garden pests.
2. Termites. You knew these creatures can destroy a home in a heartbeat, but they’re no friend to your garden either. They feed on organic matter from cellulose, consume wood, which is often found near gardens, and often use gardens as a stepping stone to homes.
3. Flies. Not only are they annoying, but flies will feed and breed in a garden setting, can spread diseases like salmonella if they come into contact with human food and can cause painful bites.
4.
Wasps, bees and hornets. These little stingers are attracted to flowers and fruit and will build nests underground, in sheds on trees and beneath decking. They’ll also sting if they feel threatened, contributing to potential health risks if an allergic reaction should occur.
Rodents
5. Rats. Not only are they an unpleasant sight to see, but they’ll also consume fruits, veggies and seeds, naw and shed doors and outside wiring and spread diseases through urine and feces.
6.
Squirrels. These wily creatures are known for ransacking both bird feeders and gardens. They often snack on flowers, particularly spring bulbs when they’re doing their autumn foraging.
Other Pests
6. Moles. They’re known for burrowing underground and can disrupt soil and flowerbeds in no time.
7.
Spiders. These garden foes are actually more of a frenemy. They pose a threat because some species can be venomous, but prey on smaller garden pests like mosquitoes, alleviating some other pest problems.
How to Get Rid of Common Garden Pests
There are a few tried-and-true methods that can help reduce the appeal of your garden:
- Companion Planting - A great way to remove common garden pests is to deter them with plants they don’t like, a practice known as companion planting. Consider planting a few of these plants along with your desired foods and flowers:
- Basil
- Catnip
- Coriander
- Chrysanthemums
- Thyme
- Maintain soil health - Water plants regularly and use organic fertilizers to keep soil strong and healthy, able to withstand pest damage.
- Remove old tree stumps and debris - Removing debris, branches and old tree stumps helps make your garden less appealing, and removing rotting fruits and veggies limits potential food sources for pests.
- Repair damaged sheds and greenhouses - Maintaining garden storage areas helps prevent pests from foraging in items like seeds, plants and flowers. Consider using expanding foam, wire mesh and door bristle to keep garden pests out of storage spaces.
- Keep compost in a secure place - Compost is a garden pest’s best friend, so make sure it is stored in a secure location. Use tight-fitting lids to cover compost and other potential food sources like garbage and seeds.
If you spot a pest in your beloved garden, give a few of these removal and prevention efforts a try. With a little planning, your garden is sure to remain your happy place.
Do you use other pest prevention efforts in your garden? Share them in the comments!
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