Organic Pest Control For Your Garden

We specialize in pest control for your home, but it's just as important to consider organic pest control options for your garden. Pest management techniques for a garden and a home can differ significantly. We often suggest exploring organic approaches for garden pest control when appropriate.

Soil Health is #1

Before turning to pest control solutions—whether organic or conventional—the first step in helping prevent pest issues in your garden is building healthy soil. Healthy soil does not always prevent pest problems, but it supports stronger, more resilient plants. Many pests and plant diseases tend to affect stressed or unhealthy plants.

Starting your plants with healthy soil can help reduce the likelihood of pest issues and improve their ability to withstand challenges if they arise. There is nothing worse than losing an entire crop to pests, especially after investing time, energy, and care into your garden.

Tips for Healthy Soil:

• Be intentional about where you source your compost, soil, and soil amendments—look for OMRI-certified options when possible
• Add compost to your soil at least once every season
• Break up compacted soil with a broad fork
• Test your soil if needed

Be Vigilant and Be Ready

Some pests are difficult to fully prevent. Even with the best preparation, they may appear during peak seasons. One method that can help reduce pest populations is manually removing insects from plants.

Japanese beetles, for example, are often found on plant leaves in June. A simple approach is to bring a cup of soapy water into your garden and remove them by hand. During the summer, this may need to be done regularly.

Hand-removal can help reduce reliance on pest control products, including organic ones.

OMRI-Certified Organic Pest Control Products

If you decide to use a pest control product, you may want to look for options that are OMRI-listed. OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) is a third-party organization that reviews products for use in organic farming and gardening under USDA organic standards.

Using OMRI-listed soil, compost, and pest control products can help ensure they meet organic use guidelines.

Popular OMRI-listed pest control products for your garden include:

• Neem Oil
• Dr. Earth
• Bacillus Thuringiensis (B.t.)

Companion Planting Tips to Help Reduce Pests

Certain plants may help deter specific pests. For example, marigolds produce compounds in their roots that may help reduce the development of root-knot nematodes. Marigolds are commonly planted alongside many types of garden plants.

Planting different species together for mutual benefit is known as companion planting.

Examples of companion planting:

• Chives and coriander may help deter aphids
• Oregano and sage may help discourage cabbage moths
• Basil may help reduce mosquito activity in garden areas
• Garlic and rue may help deter Japanese beetles

Organic Pest Control for Your Garden

While we do not treat home gardens, we hope these tips help as you plan ways to manage pests in your garden this year. Choosing appropriate pest control methods is an important part of maintaining a healthy garden.

If you have any questions about organic pest control for your garden, contact our knowledgeable customer service team at (844) 922-7732.