How to Effectively Manage Pests in Your Garden and Landscape
We can all relate to pests invading our gardens and landscapes. And we understand how much of a hassle they can be! Per usual, Golden Palm is here to help. Keep reading to learn more about five common garden pests and how to successfully manage them —
ANTS ANTS ANTS ANTS ANTS ANTS ANTS ANTS
Ants are common in and out of the house. Talk about a headache!
Ants can benefit your garden as much as they can damage it. The issue with ants is that they leave behind a sticky, liquid substance which is typically referred to as “honeydew.” This honeydew is a form of sugar, which means they can attract other pests simply by releasing this substance. They also can be difficult to work alongside with as they can bite (especially fire ants!) and sometimes, it can be a huge nuisance. Here are ways to deter ants away from your garden:
If you can identify where the ant colony resides, simply pouring hot water over the anthill can eradicate the queen, which removes the colony altogether
Sprinkle cinnamon or cayenne pepper around your plants—this will help repel
Borax traps are effective and you can make your own mix at home!
GOPHERS, THOSE DANG GOPHERS!
Who let gophers into the yard anyway?
Gophers tend to be the biggest headache for gardeners and homeowners. They can absolutely destroy gardens and lawns alike—leaving you with empty harvests and gaping holes in no time. They can even obstruct irrigation lines and sprinklers with their never ending gnawing.
If you’re suspicious of gophers, act fast! Prevention is key to protecting your yard. Utilizing traps and establishing underground “fencing” are the most effective mediums to handling gopher infestations.
annoying APHIDS
Aphids aren’t a huge threat to your garden. They are just… annoying. And like ants, their problem stems from leaving trails of sugar, or honeydew, which cant attract an array of other pests. They can be removed by spraying them with water or even crushing them with your own hands (maybe put some gloves on first!). Ants can tend to protect aphids from predators, so this is another reason to remove ants and aphids from your garden altogether!
LEAF EATING CATERPILLARS
This is a common friend many find in their landscapes and gardens. Caterpillars love munching on basically anything that they can get their mouths on—leaves, flowers, fruit, etc. Most plants are still considered healthy if there is minimal damage, but take caution as they can begin to cause serious issues if they aren’t contained. Similar to aphids, you can just remove caterpillars on your own with some gloves on. You shouldn’t have trouble finding them since they leaved behind an abundance of evidence. Search thoroughly though! They are experts at hiding in wood crevices and fruit.
Have fun on your caterpillar investigation!
RATS (GOOSEBUMPS, WE KNOW)
We hate thinking about rats as much as you do. We wish we didn’t have to! Rats are a nuisance in all ways possible. They are a prominent concern given that they contaminate anything they get their paws and teeth on since they usually carry diseases and bacteria. We want to help you protect your garden, pets, and even little humans at all costs! Thankfully, you can safely and effectively eradicate rats from your garden in a toxic-free way. Here’s how:
Store pet food in a sealed, rodent-proof container
Make sure composting is done in a metal container with a flush lid
Clean up after your pet
Remove ivy growing along walls and trim bushes and shrubs so they have less space to successfully nest
Clean up molded fruit and fruit/nuts that have fallen to the ground
