Organic Garden Pest Control (Natural Ways)

There are many natural ways to kill bugs in the garden. Great-Great Grandmother used them before the term organic gardening became fashionable.

It was never really necessary to use poisonous chemicals in the home garden. Everyone's grandmother knew this, but somewhere along the line, big corporations and advertisers convinced the world otherwise. The world now realizes these chemicals are detrimental to the planet and everything living on it. Grandma knew best after all.

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The following organic garden pest control methods will target some of the peskiest pests without poisoning the entire world:

Natural Ways to Kill Bugs in the Garden

Anyone who grows roses is familiar with the pesky aphid. Send them to the neighbors yard with a citrus solution. If the neighbor asks, share grandma's secret with them:

• 1 pint of water
• Rind from 1 lemon grated
• Cheesecloth
• Pump spray bottle

Bring water to a boil in saucepan. Remove from heat and add the grated lemon rind. Allow the mixture to steep overnight. Don't put in refrigerator. The next morning strain the mixture through the cheesecloth and pour into the pump spray bottle. Apply the mixture to plant leaves that are housing aphids or other soft-bodied insects. The mixture must come in contact with the insects' bodies to be effective.

Organic Garden Pest Control

Some may find this cruel, but it won't be the plants. Baby slugs like to hide in the crowns of daylilies and other perennials. This works well for slugs that are too small to handpick:

• 1 1/2 cups non-sudsing ammonia
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1quart pump spray bottle

Pour the ammonia and water into the spray bottle. Shake gently to mix. Spray the mixture in areas where small slugs appear.This doesn't hurt the plants and the ammonia breaks down into nitrogen.

Organic Garden Cat Control

1. Americans love their pet cats so don't do them any harm. However, nobody wants a cat doing it's business in the garden. To discourage them, try this solution:

• 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
• 3 tablespoons powdered mustard
• 5 tablespoons plain flour
• Large bowl
• 2 quarts water
• Funnel
• Plastic squirt bottle

Mix pepper, mustard, and flour together in a large bowl. Add the water gradually, mixing all ingredients thoroughly as you go. Pour the mixture through the funnel into the plastic squirt bottle and squirt the mixture where cats are likely to walk on their way to garden beds. Use this around fences that surround the garden also.

2. Tomcats present a special problem. To keep them from spraying around the garden, try this.

• White vinegar
• Small plastic squirt bottle

Fill the bottle with the vinegar. Squirt 1 to 2 ounces of vinegar where cats have sprayed and onto stone or concrete surfaces where they are likely to visit. The vinegar will not only chase away the cat, but it will neutralize any smell they leave behind. Spray this around the birdbath or any other place Tomcat is not wanted.Here's a way to keep kitty out of the garden and make her happy at the same time. Choose a small plot far away from the garden and bird feeders also. Plant a patch of catnip. Dig up some soil close to the patch and mix with sand. Kitty will now have her very own amusement park and lose complete interest in the human's garden.These are but a few natural ways to kill bugs and deter organic garden pests. Not only are these methods earth friendly, but they are also cheap. Never pay for cancer causing chemicals again. Use grandma's natural remedies for all the garden needs.

Resources

Great Garden Formulas, Joan Benjamin and Deborah L. Martin Editors