8 Natural Pest Control Methods for Your Garden

Today, we’re diving into the world of garden pests and natural solutions to fight them.

We’ll be exploring the most common pests that plague our backyard gardens—including cutworms, squash bugs, vine borers, flea beetles, caterpillars, and more.

Let’s get started!

1. Caterpillars

Caterpillars, especially the cabbage looper, are a major pest for brassicas like cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts.

Look for circular bite marks that start on the outside of the leaves and work their way inward.

Natural Solutions

BT (Bacillus thuringiensis)

• An organic pesticide that is highly effective but can harm beneficial insects.
• Dilute according to instructions and spray on affected plants.

Insect Cloth or Tulle

• Cover plants to prevent moths from laying eggs.
• Use poly tubing and rebar to create a structure and drape the cloth over it.
• Ensure the cover is flush with the ground to prevent moth access.

Rather Watch Than Read? Video Tutorial

2. Flea Beetles

Flea beetles create tiny, birdshot-like holes in leaves.

They are small, shiny black bugs that jump like fleas.

Natural Solution

Diatomaceous Earth

• Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth on and around plants.
• The sharp particles deter and kill the beetles.

3. Squash Bugs

Squash bugs are often found on squash and zucchini plants.

Look for clusters of bronze-colored eggs on the undersides of leaves.

Natural Solutions

Manual Removal

• Pick off and squash the bugs.

Duct Tape for Eggs

• Use duct tape to lift eggs off leaves and then crush them.

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4. Squash Vine Borers

Squash vine borers cause plants in the squash and zucchini family to wilt and die suddenly.

Look for yellow, crusty ooze at the base of the stem.

Natural Solutions

Aluminum Foil Wrapping

• Wrap the base of the stem in aluminum foil to prevent moths from laying eggs.

BT Injection (See the Monterey product above in the caterpillar section. It is a BT-based solution.)

• Use a syringe to inject concentrated BT into the stem where borers are present.

5. Slugs and Snails

Slugs and snails create irregular holes in leaves, often starting in the middle.

Natural Solution

Sluggo

• Sprinkle iron-based pellets around the base of plants to deter and kill slugs and snails.

6. Roly Poly (Pill Bugs)

Roly polys are beneficial but can harm seedlings by eating their leaves.

Natural Solution

Baiting with Potatoes or Citrus

• Place cut potatoes—cut-side down on the soil—near seedlings to attract roly polys, then remove and relocate them.

7. Fire Ants

Natural Solution

Spinosad Drench

• Mix spinosad with water and drench the ant mound, according to label instructions. It takes about two weeks to see results.

8. Cutworms

Cutworms wrap around stems and snap them off, leaving only a small stem sticking out of the ground.

Natural Solution

Aluminum Foil Wrapping

• Wrap the stems of young plants in aluminum foil to prevent cutworm damage.

I hope these natural solutions help you manage garden pests effectively.

Remember, using organic methods not only protects your plants but also preserves beneficial insects and the overall health of your garden!