Spring is here, and summer is on the horizon. That means flowering plants are blooming, and gardens are growing back. It also means pests. Pests are the gardeners worst nightmare, whether its deer destroying that sapling you just planted, groundhogs digging up your garden beds, or aphids ravaging your roses.
Whenever pests pop up, it’s best to take immediate action regarding pest control. Pests can destroy your plants, and spread throughout your property. However, there are many who don’t want to buy poison, like roundup, and dump it on their lawn or garden beds, so instead, you turn to organic and natural garden pest control options like natural pesticides.
Organic pest control is a great way to prevent or stop pests from eating up your garden. It is usually a more targeted process, and different approaches can be used depending on the plant and pest. Plus, organic pest control products won’t harm you, pollute your yard with toxic chemicals, or harm the natural biodiversity of organisms in your soil, and around your garden. In this article, we will discuss some organic and natural garden pest control methods.
What if I told you that simply adding some plants to your garden beds can deter pests? Some plants have strong scents that naturally ward off natural garden pests, and mask the more desirable scents of other plants in your garden. The following pest-repelling plants are most effective if they are planted nearby the plants you want to protect, or they can be potted and moved around when you need them.
Who doesn’t love fresh basil? Basil repels aphids, flies, and mosquitoes. Plant it near any of your plants that regularly get eaten up by these natural pests in the garden, and watch it work its magic.
Bay leaf is a common insect repellent. You can plant it in your garden to keep many kinds of pests at bay, or you can buy dried bay leaf at the store, and spread it throughout your garden.
Rosemary is an evergreen, aromatic plant that most garden bugs tend to avoid. It is an effective companion plant for keeping natural garden pests like snails, slugs, carrot fly, and mosquitoes away.
Thyme is a perennial, low-growing herb that is commonly used in cooking. It can be easily planted in the garden or in walkways to repel tomato hornworms, whiteflies, and earworm. It is particularly effective if planted in walkways where its leaves can be bruised, and it can give off more of its insect-repelling fragrance.
Catnip is known for cats love of the plant. Its leaves can be brewed into tea for human consumption, and it is an effective repellent for insect pests like mosquitoes. Catnip spreads easily, so plant it with room for it to spread, so that it does not encroach on other plants in your garden, or plant it in a pot.
Plants in the allium genus like chives, onions, and garlic aren’t just good to eat, they are also effective insect and rabbit repellents. If you’re looking to keep Japanese Beetles away in particular, plant them near your eggplants, beans, cucumbers, potatoes, roses, strawberries, or tomatoes.
Lavender is an aromatic herb with beautiful purple flowers, and a delightful scent. Luckily, many garden bugs don’t like the smell of lavender like we do. Lavender keeps mosquitoes, fleas, moths, and other insects away. You can also use a spray bottle to apply lavender oil.
Spearmint can be planted along the perimeter of your garden to keep natural garden pests, like soil-dwelling pests, such as spiders, aphids, and rodents away. Spearmint is an invasive plant, and spreads very quickly like catnip. So, you may want to plant it in pots around your garden to avoid it choking the other plants in your garden.
Marigolds are the organic gardeners dream, known for their ability to squash bugs. Not only do they have beautiful flowers, but they are common companion plants to squash and tomatoes. Planting marigolds between your tomatoes and other plants will repel nematodes with a scent they release in their roots. Also, their scent repels many insects along with deer and rabbits.
While most insects stay away from marigolds, they sometimes attract spiders and snails. So, if either of these animals are your biggest pest problem, it may be best to avoid using marigolds in your garden.
Who said you can’t fight fire with fire? But seriously, adding a natural predator like beneficial insects to the mix can seriously help your natural garden pest issue. Pest-repelling insects, also known as beneficial insects, are insects that prey on pests or their larvae, they can be lured to your garden beds, or purchased at a store. Also, if you’re worried about beneficial insects hurting your garden beds after the garden pests are gone, you won’t have a problem with these insects:
Not just fun to look at, the lady bug eats mites, aphids, whiteflies, and scale. To attract them, plant yarrow, tansy, and members of the daisy family, and watch your natural garden pests disappear. You can also buy lady bugs in online catalogues.
Not as widely known as the lady bug, but still recognizable, lacewings are bright green beneficial insects with large white, “laced” wings like a cobweb or doily. Lacewings love to eat aphids, and their larvae do too, along with other insects. They can be attracted by planting composite flowers like asters, golden rod, black-eyed susans, and yarrow, or purchased online.
Bay leaf plants, also known as bay laurel or Laurus nobilis, are a versatile herb perfect for adding flavor to soups, stews and more. Their aromatic leaves are a staple in many cuisines around the world. While bay plants are relatively easy to grow they can fall victim to some common pests. With the right prevention and control methods, you can keep your bay plant healthy and pest-free.
What Are Some Common Bay Leaf Plant Pests?
There are a few pests that tend to target bay leaf plants. Being able to identify them is the first step toward prevention and control. Some of the most common bay plant pests include:
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Spider Mites – Tiny spider-like pests that suck sap and cause stippling damage on leaves. They thrive in hot, dry conditions.
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Scale Insects – Small, immobile insects that attach themselves to stems and leaves. They secrete a sticky substance called honeydew.
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Mealybugs – Soft-bodied, cottony insects that feed on sap. They also leave behind honeydew.
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Aphids – Pear-shaped, soft-bodied insects that feed in clusters on stems and leaves. They transmit plant diseases.
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Whiteflies – Tiny flying insects that feed on plant sap They excrete honeydew which promotes sooty mold growth
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Caterpillars – Larval worms that chew on leaves. Some common culprits are loopers, leafrollers, and hornworms.
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Thrips – Tiny winged pests that rasp plant tissue and suck sap. They cause silvery spotted leaves.
How Can I Prevent Pests on My Bay Plants?
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to bay plant pests. Here are some tips to keep pests away:
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Select pest-resistant bay plant varieties when available.
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Check new plants thoroughly for signs of pests before bringing home.
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Keep plants healthy with proper light, water, and fertilization. Healthy plants resist pests better.
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Remove any infected plant debris and prune affected parts immediately.
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Clean plants regularly by spraying water or wiping leaves.
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Avoid overcrowding plants to allow for good air circulation.
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Use row covers or netting as physical barriers against flying pests.
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Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps which prey on pests.
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Rotate bay plants to different areas of the garden each season to disrupt pest cycles.
What Are Some Organic Ways I Can Control Bay Plant Pests?
If prevention fails and pests attack your bay plants, there are several organic control methods to try:
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Handpick pests – For minor infestations, remove pests by hand or use a strong stream of water to knock them off.
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Insecticidal soap – Non-toxic soaps that kill soft-bodied insects like aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs on contact.
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Neem oil – Derived from the neem tree, this organic oil coats insects, deterring them from feeding.
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Diatomaceous earth – Powdery silica dust that damages the waxy outer layer of soft-bodied pests.
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Pyrethrin – A natural insecticide made from chrysanthemum flowers that kills a broad range of pests.
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Horticultural oil – Suffocates and kills immature soft-bodied insects and mites. Safe for most plants.
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Kaolin clay – Fine clay spray that forms a barrier making plants less appealing to pests. Also causes dehydration.
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Bacillus thuringiensis – Bacterial insecticide effective on caterpillars when they ingest treated leaves.
Always read and follow label directions when using organic pest control products. Test on a small area first to ensure plant safety.
When Should I Use Pesticide Sprays for Bay Leaf Pests?
Turn to pesticide sprays derived from synthetic chemicals only as a last resort if all other methods fail. These products are not selective and can kill beneficial and pollinating insects. If pesticides are necessary:
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Identify the specific pest and select the right product accordingly.
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Read and follow all label instructions carefully regarding dosage, timing, and precautions.
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Only mix and apply as much as needed to avoid waste, runoff, and groundwater contamination.
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Limit use to problem areas instead of spraying all plants.
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Wear protective clothing like gloves, long sleeves, and a mask when spraying.
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Avoid applying pesticides during the hot daytime to prevent rapid volatilization. Spray in early mornings or evenings.
With diligent monitoring for early signs of pests, prompt removal of affected plant parts, and using organic control methods, you can keep your bay plants lush and pest-free. Always opt for the least toxic solutions first. Combined with good cultural care, your bay leaf plants will thrive and add flavor to your cooking for years to come.
Chalcid, Brachonid, and Darwin Wasps
You may be thinking getting rid of your natural garden pests is not worth having wasps all over your garden, but these wasps do not sting, and you probably wouldn’t even recognize them as wasps. They are small, flying beneficial insects that consume leaf-eating caterpillars, so you likely wouldn’t want to kill beneficial insects like these. Plant Queen Anne’s Lace, carraway, celery, parsley, or carrots to attract them to your garden, and get rid of your caterpillars.
Hover-flies, like Lacewings, consume aphids. Also, like lacewings, their larvae consume other types of insects. They can be attracted to your garden by planting composite flowering plants.
Nematodes can get rid of cutworms. Cutworms are a harmful pest that can kill plants before they sprout into seedlings. Beneficial nematodes can also remove beetles, and root weevil larvae. Nematode eggs can be bought in some garden centers, or online.
I saved the best for last. If you’re like most people, you probably find the praying mantis interesting on some level. They are large beneficial insects that are very effective at removing many different kinds of common garden pests. Praying mantis eggs can be laid out in the garden to hatch. They can be ordered online.
Many pest-repelling plants are effective at keeping pests away because of their fragrance from the essential oils the plant has. Therefore, in the following list you may see some overlap between pest-repelling essential oils, and pest-repelling plants. In some cases, using a pest-repelling essential oil may offer a more targeted approach, because you can use a spray bottle on the designated area.
In order to use pest control essential oils in your garden, you can make a spray using 20 drops of the oils to about 4 ounces of water. Spray the mixture around any plants you want to protect against pests.
Furthermore, you can use pest-repelling plants in conjunction with pest-repelling essential oils. If you are a DIY type of person, you can even use your own pest-repelling plants to make essential oils, or a solution to spray your garden. Below are some common essential oils used for pest control.
Lavender is such a desired plant not only because of its pretty purple flowers, but because of its fragrance. Lavender essential oils are very common, and can be purchased online. As mentioned, use a spray bottle to apply lavender to the area you’re wanting to keep pests away from.
Mint is a great essential oil for keeping a wide variety of insects away. As a natural pesticide of sorts, mint deters fleas, flies, spiders, and many other insects. It is also commonly used as an alternative to toxic tick spray, because it repels ticks. You can use mint essential oils in your garden, and on your person, to repel mosquitoes and ticks from biting you while you’re doing your organic gardening, or out hiking in the woods.
Rosemary is commonly used to deter pests like cabbage moths, flies, and mosquitoes.
Citronella is another effective insect repellent. Citronella makes attractive scents of plants to pests, so that they find it difficult to locate plants to feed on, or lay their eggs.
Tea tree oil has many great uses related to garden bugs. It can keep ants away from your garden, or out of your house. And if you or your children ever had lice, you may have used a shampoo with tea tree oil in it. Tea tree oil can be used around the garden, as well to keep a variety of insects out.
Hot Sauce and Cayenne Pepper
If you’ve got deer or rabbits eating plants in your garden, a little spice might be just what they need to stay away. Mix a tablespoon of dish detergent with an ounce of hot pepper sauce, and spray it onto the leaves the deer or rabbit has been nibbling to keep them away.
Or, try buying cayenne pepper in bulk, and sprinkling it around your plants to keep animals away. The smell and taste of the cayenne pepper should be enough to keep pests away.
WHAT IS EATING MY PLANTS? | Common Garden Pest Control using Leaf Signatures
FAQ
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