Gardening would be a lot simpler without interference from garden pests. The majority of garden pests are small, but they sure are a big hassle. The the majority of widespread garden pests are insects, of course and it is a curious thing that these insects are apt to prosper in conditions that are not quite correct for flowers. Most garden pests do not actually live on the plants themselves, they live in rotting rubbish nearby or in sodden soil and go to the plant to feed. Some insects live in the roots if the soil is too wet.
So, one of the first things to do is to try to lessen the number of destructive insects in your garden. You can go a long way down this route by clearing away any old decaying rubbish and decayed wood. Make certain that your soil is well drained and keep cats out of your garden by squirting them with a water pistol until they get the idea. Cats discourage birds and many birds eat insects.
You should also support insects and other animals that eat garden pests. Ants can be a nuisance, but they do eat a lot of insects. Ladybirds do too and so do spiders. Larger animals such as frogs, toads and lizards eat loads of insects, so a small open-ended garden pond could be created to breed frogs and toads. Lizards will come on their own, if the circumstances are perfect.
It is worth taking active steps to encourage the right sort of garden animals. Never use powerful insecticides on your garden as you will destroy all the insects that are on your side as well and the spray may poison the earthworms that are helping to aerate and dry out your soil.
A small pond will encourage birds, frogs and toads, but frogs and toads also like a nice rock to shelter under during the day. Place a few rocks the size of a loaf of bread around your garden in the shadow of trees or bushes. Erect a bird table. Birds that eat bread and nuts do not usually feed on insects, but some do. However, the sight of other birds in your garden may encourage insectivores to come in and have a look.
There are basically two kinds of garden pests: the ones that actually feed on the plant and the ones that extract the sap out of it. Caterpillars can be picked off and destroyed of or you can spray the leaves that are being eaten with a poison for the caterpillars to eat. Many of the sap-suckers can be seen easily, others cannot. A solution of washing-up liquid and water such as you use to wash dishes will kill most of these including greenfly (aphids).
Slugs and snails do a lot of damage, but some birds including chickens and thrushes find them a delicacy. Chickens can be helpful partners in a garden, but they can be detrimental too with all their scratching. Otherwise, you can reduce the population of slugs and snails by destroying their eggs.
They tend to lay their eggs in rotting leaves or rotting compost, but not in compost heaps which are normally too hot for them, so a good clean up will eradicate a lot of the next generation.
You can kill the adults by placing a few low containers of beer near your plants. The slugs will drink the beer and drown. It is extremely efficient. Slug pellets should finish the t-totallers off. Taking these actions will hugely reduce the number of garden pests attacking your plants.
Owen Jones, the writer of this article writes on quite a few subjects, but is at present involved with exterior wall lighting. If you would like to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our website at Outdoor Wall Lamps.