Organic Pest Control

The clocks have gone back and spring has truly sprung. It’s going to be a busy month for the avid gardener and also that growing list of unwanted garden pests, so a little planning now will go a long way.

But, before you call in an air strike from a canister loaded with noxious chemicals, why not think about organic methods of pest control? Because, let’s face it, plants managed to survive before pesticides.

Consider the natural balance of nature, so a healthy plant will have its own defences against attack. Therefore, taking care of your plants will make them stronger. Move things around as a number of pests hibernate at the base of existing plants of winter. And, bring in reinforcements by encouraging other predators such as toads, birds, beetles and even hedgehogs to take care of the pest problem.

Usual Suspects

Slugs and Snails
Well we all know what they look like and most of us will have them in the garden at some point. The little grey ones do the worst damage as the really big ones prefer dead organic matter. You can pick them off, sprinkle them with salt or use a selection of traps filled with beer or fermenting fruit juice.

White Fly
Although this is mainly a greenhouse pest, it's certainly worth a mention because it’s hard to get rid of. An attack reduces plant vitality, causes premature leaf drop, and may result in the loss of your favourite plant. Provided you don't have a major invasion, you could allow a tiny parasitic wasp, called Encarsia Formosa, to come to the rescue. But, if you've got a major outbreak you'll need to take more drastic action and give your conservatory or greenhouse a really good clean.

Aphids
Similar in many ways to the white fly except they attack a much wider range of plants and come in a variety of colours. There are many things you can do to fight aphids. Including, washing them off with a hose, spraying with a soap solution or attract other insects such as ladybirds, hoverflies and lacewings.

And finally don’t forget about companion planting. It isn't just about pest control. By combining plants carefully, plants can help each other in terms of providing nutrients in the soil, offering protection from wind or sun and also, by attracting beneficial pests or acting as a decoy for harmful ones.