How to Treat the Most Common Garden Pests

Gardening is a relaxing hobby that has many benefits. In fact, approximately 53% of people say that gardening makes them feel more productive. As the weather gets warmer, many of us will be thinking about our gardens: what to plant, where to plant it, and how to keep it healthy. But what happens when unwanted pests try to make a home in your beautiful garden plants? Below are some ways to get rid of common garden pests.

Aphids

Aphids are some of the most common garden pests. Because they are so small, you may not even realize they are there until your garden shows signs of damage, such as curled or shriveled leaves. There are several ways to get rid of aphids naturally. These include removing them by hand, spraying them with your garden hose, using essential oils, and spraying them with a pure liquid soap-and-water mix.

Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles are instantly recognizable because of their distinctive, shiny colors. If your garden is infested with Japanese beetles, you will definitely notice as they tend to leave behind extremely damaged leaves with only the veins remaining. Handpicking the beetles off, spraying them with a liquid soap-and-water mix (to prevent grubs), using a plant cover, and setting Japanese beetle traps are some solutions for getting rid of these annoying pests.

Slugs

Because slugs usually come out at night, you may not realize these slimy pests are there until you start noticing large holes in the leaves of your garden plants. Slugs are especially damaging because they will eat practically any plant and can cause enough damage to kill the plant entirely if left to their own devices. Some easy ways to get rid of slugs include placing a small container filled with beer in your garden (the slugs will fall in and drown), sprinkling them with salt, and placing a rough material such as sand or crushed seashells around your plants to deter slug activity.

Don’t let your garden be destroyed as a result of common garden pests. Often, these pests can be removed through simple, natural home remedies that will not cause any damage to either surrounding plants or beneficial insects that your garden needs. This season, be sure your garden stays healthy by keeping an eye out for the signs of common garden pests.