Home remedies for garden pest control

Gardens that do not require digging strive to be their own ecosystem. These types of gardens are the best and are becoming more popular. They do not require much pest control or disease control for that matter. These gardens only consist of: a weed free bed and clean compost.

No garden is completely pest or disease free. However, you can minimize pests by using these conditions to keep your garden in harmony and from attack. To rectify problems, always go with the least toxic pest control options for your garden's sake, starting with these home remedies. They will help alleviate pest problems, but are less toxic on the environment and safer for your family and household pets.

A safe way to keep animals and insects from eating your plants, mix together one cup of water, 6 garlic cloves and 7 large hot peppers. Blend together in a blender, then strain into a spray bottle. Add one more cup of water and spray on the plants.

For spider mites, mix 5 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid in a gallon of water. Spray plants weekly until mites disappear. Spray monthly to keep them from returning.

Try placing birdhouses in your garden to bring birds in. Birdbaths and native flowering vegetation are good ways to lure birds to the garden. Birds can eat many times their weight in insects. This is really a natural pest control for your garden.

For hard-shell scale insects pest control, mix 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil, 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon mild liquid soap in two gallons of water. Spray or wipe on plants once a week for up to 3 weeks or until insects have vanished.

For snails and slugs, place beer in a shallow pail overnight. Vinegar will do the same trick.

Placing table salt on snails and slugs kills them instantly.

A good way to trap snails and slugs is to place a hollowed out orange or grapefruit upside down around the garden at night and in the morning shake salt on the one's that were trapped.

A safe and humane way to keep rabbits, gophers and woodchucks away from your garden is to press a whole garlic clove and let it sit in a glass jar with several ounces of mineral oil. Mix it together with a few spoonfuls of dishwashing liquid, hot pepper sauce and water in a spray bottle. It also helps to keep beetles off vegetable plants. ...