Organic Pest Control

Organic Pest Control

Keeping the Balance

When choosing a method to address insect problems select the one which is likely to have the least negative impact on the whole growing environment in your garden. Just as with your own well-being, prevention is the place to start. If a problem develops follow the steps from top to bottom (from most benign to most intensive) to re-establish your garden’s balance. The more you do to maintain a healthy balance in your garden the less likely you will be to experience a pest infestation that will do significant damage

Prevention

Building Healthy Soil:

  • Careful garden observation: Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests or damage. Catching problems early helps prevent infestations before they spread.
  • Provide beneficial insect habitat: Encourage natural predators like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps by planting flowers and herbs that offer nectar, pollen, and shelter.
  • Plant cover crops: Cover crops like clover or buckwheat improve soil health, reduce weeds, and create a home for beneficial insects that help control pests.
  • Use “good bug” seed blends: Seed mixes containing plants such as dill, fennel, and yarrow attract pollinators and pest-eating insects, helping maintain a healthy garden balance.
  • Maintain good garden hygiene: Remove diseased or dead plant material, clean tools regularly, and rotate crops to prevent pest and disease buildup in the soil.
  • Practice companion planting: Pair plants strategically—such as marigolds with tomatoes or nasturtiums near squash—to repel pests or lure them away from valuable crops.

Marigolds make great tomato companions as their scent keeps pests like aphids and hornworms away naturally.

Promoting Plant Health:

  • Slow-release sources of necessary nutrients: Use organic fertilizers or compost that release nutrients gradually. This provides steady nourishment and reduces the risk of burning roots or causing rapid, weak growth.
  • Adequate, consistent water availability: Keep soil evenly moist—neither soggy nor dry. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses help maintain consistent hydration and reduce plant stress.
  • Careful plant selection: Choose varieties suited to your climate, soil type, and sunlight conditions. Healthy, well-matched plants are naturally more resistant to pests and disease.
  • Mixed and timed planting: Grow a diversity of crops and stagger planting times to avoid pest build-up and nutrient depletion. A mix of species supports a more balanced garden ecosystem.
  • Crop rotation: Change the location of plant families each year to disrupt pest and disease cycles and keep soil nutrients balanced over time.

Soil Health:

  • High organic matter content: Enrich your soil with compost, aged manure, or leaf mold to improve structure, water retention, and microbial activity. Healthy, living soil supports stronger, more resilient plants.
  • Organic nutrient sources: Choose natural fertilizers such as compost tea, bone meal, or kelp to feed both plants and soil life. These slow-release nutrients promote long-term fertility without harmful chemicals.
  • Reduced tilling: Limit or avoid deep tilling to protect soil structure and beneficial organisms. Less disturbance keeps fungi, microbes, and earthworms active—key players in building rich, stable soil.

Mechanical

  • Handpicking: One of the simplest and most effective methods, handpicking involves removing visible pests such as beetles, caterpillars, or slugs by hand. Check the undersides of leaves and near the soil line early in the morning or evening when pests are most active.
  • Row covers: Lightweight fabric row covers act as physical barriers, keeping insects from reaching your plants while still allowing sunlight, air, and moisture to pass through. They’re especially effective against flying pests like cabbage moths, cucumber beetles, and aphids.
  • Water sprays: A strong jet of water from the hose can dislodge small insects like aphids and spider mites from leaves. Regular spraying also helps keep dust and debris off foliage, improving plant health while providing natural pest control.

  • Sticky traps: Brightly colored sticky cards attract flying insects such as whiteflies, gnats, and aphids. Once they land, they become stuck on the adhesive surface. These traps help reduce populations and serve as an easy way to monitor pest activity.

  • Confusion lures: Also called pheromone traps, these devices release scents that mimic insect mating pheromones. The lure confuses males and interrupts their breeding cycles, helping to reduce future pest generations without harming beneficial insects.

Beneficial/Biological

  • Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis): Bt is a naturally occurring soil bacterium that targets specific insect larvae—such as caterpillars, mosquito larvae, and some beetles—without harming people, pets, or beneficial insects. When pests ingest Bt, it disrupts their digestive system, making it an effective and precise organic control.
  • Biological fungicides: These are made from beneficial microbes like Bacillus subtilis or Trichoderma species that suppress harmful fungal diseases in the soil and on plant surfaces. They work by outcompeting or directly inhibiting disease-causing fungi, helping plants stay healthy without synthetic chemicals.
  • Grasshopper bait: Organic grasshopper baits often contain the naturally occurring pathogen Nosema locustae, a protozoan that infects grasshoppers and gradually reduces their populations. It’s safe for other wildlife and effective when applied early in the season as young grasshoppers emerge.
  • Milky Spore Disease: Caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus popilliae, milky spore targets Japanese beetle grubs in the soil. Once applied, it can remain active for years, providing long-term protection as it spreads naturally through the grub population.
  • Beneficial nematodes: These microscopic roundworms actively seek out and destroy soil-dwelling pests like grubs, cutworms, and fungus gnat larvae. Applied with water, they move through the soil to locate hosts, offering a living, sustainable solution to underground pest problems.

* Remember that these products may be harmful to people, animals and beneficials. Use only when necessary. Read and follow label directions carefully.

Organic pest control isn’t about eliminating every insect—it’s about creating a balanced, resilient garden ecosystem. By combining good cultural practices like observation, crop rotation, and companion planting with mechanical tools, biological allies, and natural mineral or botanical products, you can manage pests effectively without relying on harsh chemicals. Each method works best as part of an integrated approach that supports soil health, plant strength, and biodiversity. With patience and consistency, your garden will not only stay productive but thrive as a self-sustaining, naturally protected environment.