Many different factors that come into play when it comes to gardening. One of the biggest obstacles that separate good gardens from bad is the presence of harmful bugs. So how can you prevent the damage of bugs in your San Antonio garden this spring?
At Apple Pest Control, we’re here to inform you about the signs of damage from garden pests. We also want to provide you with some helpful tricks to prevent bugs from destroying your garden. But first, you’ll need to determine if the bugs in your garden are really causing a problem or not.
How Do You Know If The Bugs In Your Garden Are Harmful?
Before you start spraying your garden with pesticides, you’ll need to determine if the critters in your garden are actually a problem. Bugs like ladybugs, bees, flies, butterflies and some types of spiders may actually help protect your garden and help it flourish. Just because you notice a lot of insects in your garden it doesn’t mean that they are doing any damage.
However, there are definitely some species of insects that can destroy your garden if you don’t take action. Aphids, cabbage loppers, caterpillars and many types of beetles target specific plants, consuming them and stunting their growth. At Apple Pest Control, we know some ways you can prevent harmful bugs from consuming your garden.
What Are Some Natural Ways To Remove Insects?
Before you use any pesticides in your garden, consider using a natural pest control method. Although pesticides eliminate pests, they can also damage the soil, make animals sick and damage vegetation. Here are some natural ways to remove insects that don’t require pesticides.
Do The Bugs Really Bug You?
Tackling a pest problem in your garden is a lot of work, and it’s not always rewarding. Sometimes, the only damage that bugs are causing is cosmetic. As the person in charge of your garden, you have a choice to make – will you put in the effort to limit the number of insects in your garden or will you let the bugs be bugs?
Keep Tabs On The Insect Population
If you do want to tackle the bug problem in your garden, you’ll need to work hard to stay on top of it. At Apple Pest Control, we suggest checking your garden at least once a week for creepy crawlies, keeping track of the different types of bugs present. Make sure you look up pictures of the creatures that are bad for your garden so you know what to look for.
Practice Smart Planting
The best way to naturally remove unwelcome visitors from your garden is to practice smart planting. You can do this by rotating the crops that you plant. If a specific type of flower, fruit or vegetable is being targeted by a harmful bug, consider planting that crop in a different location next year. You may also choose to avoid planting that crop altogether.
You can also plant other crops to stave off harmful bugs. For example, if you have a lot of grasshoppers eating your crops, plant marigolds or sunflowers close by. This will attract robber flies, which are known to attack grasshoppers. This is a great way to combat nature with nature.
Harness Nature’s Toxins
Before you use man-made pesticides, consider attacking the pests in your garden with natural toxins. There are toxins found in different types of fungi and bacteria that are toxic to insects but have no effect on humans or pets. Contact Apple Pest Control to learn more about different natural toxins and how to use them.
Physically Remove Unwanted Bugs
It’s safe to assume that you are larger than the insects in your garden. This means that you can exercise your control over the harmful critters. For smaller insects, use your hose (on a strong setting) to spray them off the plants. For larger insects, put on a pair of gloves and knock them off the plants into a bucket of soapy water.
Professional Pest Control In San Antonio
If you’re looking for professional pest control services, Apple Pest Control is here to help. Tackling bug infestations in your garden is not an easy feat. Thankfully, our experts can help you figure out the best plan of attack against any unwanted guests chewing up your plants. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
