No matter how big or small your garden is, bugs can be a real nuisance. However, you want to avoid using harmful chemicals, as you don’t want to use anything toxic on the vegetables you will eat. Fortunately, there are some natural alternatives that are effective at keeping your garden bug free.
How To Keep Bugs Out Of A Vegetable Garden Naturally
From aphids to slugs, there are many different types of bugs that can wreak havoc in your vegetable garden. These annoying pests can ruin your tasty vegetables, which you definitely don’t want. Keeping bugs out of your garden can help ensure your vegetables grow strong and healthy.
Aromatic Herbs
Herbs are a great way to keep bugs out of your garden. Aromatic herbs, such as peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, citronella, and basil are repulsive to bugs like aphids and potato beetles. Though bugs may not like these herbs, they smell wonderful to us.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth is all-natural pest control that is made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. It causes insects to die by drying out their exoskeletons. By sprinkling or using a spray application, you can use Diatomaceous Earth to exterminate unwanted bugs from your garden.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is made from the seeds of neem trees, which are native to India. It has long been used as an anti-fungicide and natural insecticide. It is often used in a spray form to keep bugs such as aphids, mites, and soft-bodied insects out of your garden.
Pepper
Pepper is an easy way to keep bugs out of your vegetable garden. Many bugs are repulsed by pepper such a black pepper, chili pepper, red pepper, and even paprika. Pepper can be sprinkled at the base of your plants or you can make a spray out of two tablespoons pepper, one gallon of water, and six drops of dish soap.
Garlic
Thanks to the strong smell of garlic, bugs tend to stay away from it. By sticking a clove of garlic next to your plants, you can make your garden uninviting to annoying bugs.
Beer
Unlike people, snails and slugs hate beer. By leaving a small saucer of beer in your garden, you create a trap for pesky snails and slugs that enjoy munching on your vegetables.
Make Your Garden Friendly to Natural Predators
One way to keep bugs out of your vegetable garden is to let nature do it for you. By providing water, native plants, and shrubs for shelter, you are making your garden welcoming to toads, frogs, and birds. While in your garden, they will chow down on the bugs that you want away from your vegetables.
Bugs No More
Bugs in your garden can be troublesome for the vegetables you grow. Fortunately, there are some great natural ways to keep annoying bugs away from your vegetables.
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Gardening Dream
Tony Manhart is founder and editor in chief at Gardening Dream. Tony’s enthusiasm and rich experience in all things related to growing plants have led him to share his abundant knowledge with gardening aficionados all over the world. When he is not working around his own garden, Tony spends his time writing tips and tricks on a variety of subjects related to plant cultivation and soil maintenance.
