Eco-friendly Ways and Natural Pest Control for Gardens and Lawn

Are bugs and critters messing up your garden?

Gardens are beautiful, but pests like aphids, mites, slugs, and rodents can quickly become a problem. While pesticides work fast, they can be harmful to your health and the environment.

The good news? You can protect your garden with safe, natural methods. In this blog, we’ll share easy and eco-friendly ways to get rid of garden pests—like using helpful plants, essential oils, and organic sprays.

Put on your gloves and let’s get your garden back on track—chemical-free and full of life!

Most Common Garden Pests

Identifying pests in your garden is key to using effective natural pesticides. Here's a quick overview of the most common garden pests and their impact:

1. Aphids – Small, sap-sucking insects that cause curled leaves and stunt growth. They excrete honeydew, attracting ants and mold.
2. Slugs – Slimy, soft-bodied pests that chew on young plants. Leave slime trails.
3. Snails – Similar to slugs but with hard shells; feed on the same plants.
4. Earwigs – Omnivores that damage flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Hide in debris.
5. Caterpillars – Moth or butterfly larvae that chew large holes in leaves and fruits.
6. Spider Mites – Tiny pests that cause stippling, yellowing, and webbing on leaves.
7. Whiteflies – Sap-sucking, white-winged insects that cause leaf yellowing and mold.
8. Japanese Beetles – Metallic beetles that skeletonize leaves and harm roots as grubs.
9. May/June Beetles – Night-active beetles whose grubs damage plant roots.
10. Thrips – Tiny, fast-reproducing insects that scar and distort plant tissue, also spread viruses.

Natural Pest Control for Gardens and Lawns

Natural pest solutions will minimize harm to the environment and beneficial bugs while managing garden pests effectively.

Here are some strategies for natural garden pest control:

A. Encourage Beneficial Insects:

Encouraging insects in your vegetable garden can be an effective way to control pests. Introduce natural predators such as ladybugs, lacewings, and praying mantises to your garden. These insects need nectar and pollen for food. Planting a mix of flowering plants and shrubs throughout your garden can provide a food source for these insects.

Encouraging beneficial insects in your garden can create a more natural and sustainable approach to deter pests. This can help keep your garden healthy and productive while reducing the use of harmful chemicals.

B. Companion Planting:

Companion planting is planting different crops to benefit each other in many ways. These plants can help repel pests and beneficial insects that control pest populations. Grow plants that benefit each other, such as repelling pests or enhancing growth.

Examples of effective companion plant pairings:

1. Marigolds with tomatoes: These plants repel nematodes and whiteflies.
2. Garlic with roses: These can repel aphids.
3. Basil with tomatoes: Deter flies and mosquitoes
4. Squash and nasturtiums: They can repel squash bugs and beetles.
5. Radishes and spinach: They help repel leaf miners, which can damage spinach leaves.

Want more helpful pairings?
👉 Download the Hardy Garden Companion Planting Chart and start planting smarter today!

C. Homemade Bug Spray:

1. You can create homemade pest repellents using natural ingredients. You can use essential oils, hot peppers, and garlic spray that are effective to deter the most common pests.

To make garlic spray, puree one bulb of garlic and one small onion using any food processor. Add one teaspoon of hot pepper powder and let it steep for an hour. Strain the mixture, add one tablespoon of liquid soap, and mix well. This organic substance can deter slugs or you can spray garlic on plants to kill squash bugs or flea beetles. 

2. Baking soda is another easy and inexpensive organic home remedy. A simple, all-purpose baking soda spray is one of those multipurpose garden remedies that is simple, inexpensive, and safe to use.

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/3 cup of olive oil or cooking oil, 1 cup of warm water.

Mix all ingredients and put in a spray bottle and spray around the infected plants. If you have a huge garden, you can use a pressure pump sprayer to quickly deter parasites.

3. Dish soap can be used as a natural remedy. Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap with 1 gallon of water in a spray bottle and spray the solution onto the affected crops. It's important to test the solution on a small area first and address the underlying cause of the pest problem.

4. Vegetable oil and mild soap can deter pests in gardens.

Here's how to use it:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of mild soap with 1 cup of vegetable oil in a spray bottle. You can use any mild liquid soap or castile soap.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of this mixture to 1 quart of water and mix well in a spray container.
3. Spray plant foliage with the mixture on the leaves and stems. Spray plants that are being attacked by pests such as aphids, mites, and whiteflies.

D. Neem Oil

You can use neem oil as an insecticide by mixing a solution of two teaspoons of neem oil and one teaspoon of mild liquid soap in one quart of water. Neem oil is a natural pesticide derived from the neem tree.

Organic gardeners can use neem oil to disrupt the life cycle of insects at all stages (adult, larvae, and egg). Neem oil disrupts hormones and serves as an insect "antifeedant" on leaves and other plant parts.

Neem oil is biodegradable, harmless, and effective against many horticultural insect pests. It breaks down quickly in the environment and does not leave toxic residues. But, it may need to be reapplied periodically to maintain control.

E. Manual Removal and Inspection:

Manual removal and inspection involve checking infested plants. This is an effective way of controlling pests without using harmful chemicals. Handpicking helps keep your garden healthy and productive.

Put your gloves on to protect your hands from stinging insects or allergy causing insects. 

F. Floating Row Covers, Traps, and Greenhouse

Using physical barriers like netting, row covers, insect traps and copper tape is another way of controlling pests. Simply drape the floating row cover over your crops, hoops, or wires to protect tender or tall plants. You can wrap around cages to protect your crop from tomato hornworms or carrot flies searching for a snack. Create traps for specific pests, like cucumber beetles and snails, to prevent pests from accessing your crops.

Additionally, using a greenhouse in your garden can protect your plants from pests. You have to use it strategically to maximize its effectiveness.

G. Maintaining a Healthy Garden Soil:

To maintain a healthy garden and control pests organically, you need to maintain healthy garden soil. Compost is a way to improve soil structure and provide a habitat for beneficial nematodes or microorganisms. You will need to build or purchase a compost bin. It is a bit of a time investment, but it is one of the best natural garden pest controls against bad garden bugs.

Avoid chemical pesticides and water properly and prevent overwatering. Implementing these practices can Create a sustainable and environmentally friendly garden that is less susceptible to pests and diseases.

H. Insecticidal Soap:

Insecticidal soap is a safe and easy way to control common garden pests. You can find it at most garden centers. It works by drying out insects and damaging their cell walls, thanks to the fatty acids in the soap. It helps get rid of pests like aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, cabbage moths, and whiteflies—without using harsh chemicals.

Just mix the soap as directed and spray it on affected plants, especially under the leaves and along the stems where bugs hide. Reapply every 7–10 days if needed. Be careful though—it can harm helpful bugs too, so always follow the label instructions.

I. Consider Using Raised Garden Beds:

Raised garden beds help keep pests away in several ways. Since the plants are elevated, they’re less likely to be reached by insects and rats from the ground. Raised beds also have better drainage, making it harder for pests to breed in the soil. You can easily add netting or mesh to keep flying insects out.

They also let you use clean, healthy soil, which reduces the risk of pests and diseases. Plus, it’s easier to monitor your plants in a raised bed, so you can spot and treat any problems early.

Insects That Are Good for Gardens

Not all insects are harmful—many are beneficial, helping with pollination and natural pest control. Here are some helpful garden insects:

• Ladybugs – Eat aphids and other plant pests.
• Bees – Help pollinate flowers, fruits, and veggies.
• Praying Mantis – Eats bugs like caterpillars and beetles.
• Lacewings – Their babies eat aphids and tiny pests.
• Hoverflies – Help with pollination and pest control.
• Ground Beetles – Hunt slugs and bugs in the soil.
• Spiders – Catch flying and crawling insects.
• Parasitic Wasps – Lay eggs in pests to stop them.
• Dragonflies – Eat mosquitoes and small flying bugs.
• Assassin Bugs – Feed on harmful insects.

Benefits of Natural Garden Pest Control

Natural garden bug control has several benefits over traditional chemical-based methods. 

1. Environmentally friendly
2. Healthier for humans and animals
3. Sustainable
4. Promotes biodiversity
5. Cost-effective
6. Improves soil health

Overall, natural garden pest control can help create a healthier and more sustainable garden environment and supports many beneficial organisms.

We can support beneficial species and control garden pests with DIY natural substances and homemade sprays. There are several natural pest management approaches. These include companion planting, manual removal, and regular garden inspection.

What was the last homemade pest control that saved your garden and lawn from bugs?