Now that the weather is heating up and the humidity is at 100%, there are more and more critters being seen. Whether you’re annoyed by the flies, tired of ants, or just generally done with insects, they’re even more of a pain when they’re messing with the garden you’ve spent so much time on. Here are a few things you can do in an effort to keep those bugs out of your garden and protect your precious flowers, vegetables, or herbs naturally.
To prevent snails, slugs, and other crawling creatures from getting into your garden, place crushed eggshells along the soil. These animals will injure themselves getting to your plants and likely turn around. Eggshells are natural and decompose after a while to add to the nutrient of your soil so you can enjoy the benefits two-fold.
Many insects find shelter is an over-filled garden. Vegetables planted too closely together give insects cover from heat and predators. By allowing your plants room to breathe, you’re also taking away some of the appeal that brings bugs to them.
Sometimes, the plants in your garden are their own deterrent. For example, basil repels house flies and mosquitoes while lavender keeps away moths and fleas. These types of plants may also attract creatures that prey on the insects you want to get rid of as well.
The way you care for your plants also affects how insects may flock. Watering in the morning is beneficial in two ways. The water has time to soak in and hydrate the plants before the hottest times and prevents wilting. Many insects are attracted towards stressed plants or those in danger so if your flowers are healthy, bugs will be less likely to bother them. Also, the water will have plenty of time to dry on the leaves, preventing insects who like damp places from having a shelter.
There are a variety of ways to keep insects from destroying your beautiful garden and you can mix and match these tips to get the best for your plants.
