7 Simple Natural Solutions to Get Rid of Common Garden Pests

Do you have problems with pests in your garden? Have you bought traps, sprays, and other products that barely work, or before they wear off, the pests return? Sticking to rules in organic gardening can be hard when so many solutions seem ineffective.

Good news - you don't need chemical warfare to stop vegetable garden pests! There are natural solutions that let you stay pesticide-free that really do work. In this post, I'll share seven of my favorite simple solutions for common garden pests.

Know Your Common Garden Pests

Knowing what kind of bug you're up against is the first step in eliminating them from your garden. Once you know what kind of pest you have, you can use several natural methods to eliminate them.

1. Aphids

Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects that feed on plant sap and spread viral diseases. They suck the juices out of plants and can spread the papaya ringspot virus, causing damage to crops. Strong plants can withstand a fair amount of aphid attacks with little harm, but hosing off the entire plant or using home pest control spray may be necessary for more severe infestations.

2. Caterpillars and Worms

Caterpillars and worms are in the larval stage of moths and butterflies, consuming leaves and stems. Caterpillars are soft, segmented larvae with distinct head capsules and six legs. You can find them on many fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, and trees that provide shade.

3. Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles are a common garden pest that can cause significant damage to plants. They are metallic blue or green, 1/2-inch long, and have coppery wings. Japanese beetles and their grubs (larvae) feast on lawn grass roots, plant leaves, and flowers.

4. Mealybugs

Mealybugs are a common pest that causes stunted plant development, wilting, and yellowing. They are small, sap-sucking insects with a cottony covering that makes them easy to spot. Mealybugs eat the plant's sap, which slows or stops growth and causes leaves to fall off.

5. Slugs & Snails

Slugs and snails are slimy garden pests that can cause significant production losses. They have black or brown bodies with small antennae, and snails have hard shells on their backs. Slugs and snails feed at night, leaving behind shiny slime trails. They hide in moist, cool areas during the day. Common garden pests include the brown snail and the grey field slug. Signs of infestation include big holes in leaves, destroyed seedlings, and shiny silver trails.

Seven Natural Pest Control Methods

Natural pest control is one of the best ways to keep pesky garden pests away without harsh chemicals or pesticides. It's simple, effective, and easy to do at home—plus, it reduces the number of toxins you put in your yard or the environment.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is a versatile and natural solution for many garden problems. It can kill weeds, repel insects, and even deter animals from entering your garden. Vinegar is also effective against ants, fruit flies, moths, slugs, and snails. To repel these pests from your garden, mix one part vinegar with three parts water and spray the solution around the perimeter of your garden or on any affected plants. For tougher weeds, you may need to use a more concentrated solution (50-50 ratio) mixed with a few drops of mild dish soap.

2. Garlic Spray

Garlic spray is an effective and natural way to protect plants from pests. It's simple to make at home using plain old pantry staples. First, make the garlic spray, and puree 10 cloves with one quart of water. Strain the mixture and mix it with one cup of vegetable oil and a shaker of cayenne pepper. Dilute the solution with 1 gallon of water to ½ cup solution, fill a spray bottle, and apply to plants on the bottom side of leaves at least once a week or as often as plants get wet. This will help prevent unwanted insects such as aphids, mites, whiteflies, and other common garden pests. You can use garlic spray on vegetables, fruits, and flowers.

3. Use Plants to Fight Pests

Some plants act as natural deterrents, making your garden unattractive to other pests. For example, strong-smelling rosemary and lavender distract aphids and flea beetles. Marigolds and nasturtiums can repel slugs, snails, and caterpillars. And planting mint around the perimeter of your garden keeps ants away!

4. Get the Good Bugs

Good bugs are natural enemies to vegetable garden pests and can help keep them away and even help pollinate plants. You can take several steps to make your garden comfortable for good bugs. Planting catmint and alyssum near roses will attract ladybugs and lacewings, while yarrow attracts parasitic wasps that eat caterpillars and aphids. Mint, rosemary, trees, and large leafy plants attract ground bugs and flying helpers like lacewings. Planting a variety of little flowers will also help to attract these beneficial insects. A birdhouse and water dish will attract birds that eat pests and provide natural pest control methods for a more sustainable garden.

5. Kitchen Soap to the Rescue

Using kitchen soap to save your garden effectively and economically protects your plants from pests. You can combine liquid soaps like Dawn or Castile and warm water in a spray bottle to act as an organic pesticide and kill insects. Alternatively, you can use a pinch of bar soap in a gallon of water and leave it to sit overnight before using it. Soapy water can curb bug attacks on tomato plants, but it is best to spray the soapy water in the evening and wash it away before noon since UV rays and soapy water can burn plant leaves.

When using kitchen soap as a pest control method, do not overuse the solution, as this could damage your plants. It is also important to ensure that your liquid soap contains no harsh chemicals or fragrances that could harm your plants. Additionally, always test the solution on a small area of your garden before applying it more widely.

6. Improve Your Garden Soil

Healthy soil is essential for healthy plants with strong immune systems, so keeping your soil in good condition is important. Compost is one of the best natural garden pest control methods available. Build or buy compost bins to break down organic waste like fruit and vegetable waste, coffee grounds, sawdust, and eggshells. Compost adds essential nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, iodine, boron, copper, and cobalt to your soil, which helps fortify plants' roots and make them less susceptible to pests.

Natural fertilizers such as fish and seaweed can help build healthy soil by providing essential nutrients not found in synthetic fertilizers. Adding compost, mulch, or natural fertilizers can help improve soil quality. Adding organic matter will help improve the structure of the soil and increase its ability to hold water and nutrients, which will benefit your plants in the long run.

7. Organic Pesticide Sprays for Predatory Insects

Organic insecticides are a great way to protect plants from pests without harsh chemicals. Homemade sprays containing mild liquid soap or vegetable oil are effective against soft-bodied insects like aphids, thrips, mites, and scales and are easy to prepare. To get rid of chewing insects, soak tomato leaves in water overnight, then spray them with water; garlic puree combined with oil, water, and dish soap is an effective insect repellent. Hot pepper spray made from chile powder or fresh peppers boiled in water is also an effective way to repel rabbits, deer, and insects. Bacillus thuringiensis (Thuricide) is the natural spray of choice for caterpillars.

Biologicals are another type of organic pesticide that attack specific pests while being safe for humans, animals, beneficial insects, and the environment. They work best when the pH of the spray water is between 5 and 6 and when applied in the early morning or late afternoon. Adding a spreader or sticker such as NuFilm can extend the life of many biologicals and increase their effectiveness.