Getting Rid of Bugs in Your Garden 

We all know that one of the biggest sources of environmental pollution comes from the use of pesticides. There are many natural remedies that you can apply to get rid of and control bad bugs and pests in your garden – without using toxic chemicals. And the good news is that many of these remedies are already in your kitchen!

Knowing which are the bad bugs in your garden is a good start and here are some tips that will help you control them and get rid of them:

• One of the best ways to control bugs is to do your best to prevent them.Keep everything clean and sealed – stopping everything before it starts.
• Keeping areas clean and free of debris, garbage and especially food particles will prevent pests and bugs being attracted to your area.
• Seal cracks, make sure you have good screens in your windows and doors and if necessary, caulk around all openings to your home.
• Use essential oil – many bugs hate strong odours and will generally stay away from natural essential oils. That means soaking cotton balls in citrus oils like lemon or orange and placing them around your home. You can also use peppermint, mint, cloves, citronella, eucalyptus and tea tree oils.
• Sprinkle garlic and pepper powders around the edge of your home – bugs avoid garlic and hate pepper. It is also a good idea to sprinkle garlic and pepper powders around window sills, around plants and patio to keep the bugs away. Ants especially will not cross powder lines and you can sprinkle powder mixes in cracks and crevices where bugs might hide. Another effective remedy in repelling pests and bugs are hot pepper sauces.
• Good old-fashioned soap is a very effective and natural way to keep bugs off your plants. All natural soaps are an excellent choice for your garden. Mix 3 tablespoons per gallon of water and spray directly on the plants – this will get rid of most bugs. Be careful to not overspray your plants and do not use it on cabbage, lettuce, cucumbers and melons.
• You can also consider traps – especially if you have a stubborn pest problem and before you start thinking about using chemicals. There are glue boards available on the market for everything from fleas to ants and larger pests like mice and rats.
• Do your best to get beneficial bugs, animals and plants. Lady bugs are actually good because they get rid of some of the bad bugs – but too many lady bugs can also create a problem.
• Birds, frogs and toads eat many insects and are great for keeping mosquitos under control. Plant flowers like Chrysanthemums and calendula – they deter bug infestation and chives and catnip will keep Japanese beetles from destroying your plants.

Hope this information was helpful to you – please send in your comments, suggestions and experiences – your input is always welcomed!