Keep Pests Out Of Your Garden With These 7 Tips and Tricks

Using natural repellents is an easy, low-effort way to keep pests out of your garden. Toss coffee grounds around your plants, and many types of pests, including rodents, wild cats and insects, will shy away. Add an extra layer of pest protection by planting chives, dill, onions, and garlic nearby to deter aphids, beetles, leafhoppers and mealybugs from landing on any part of the plant.  

Keeping out pests is about setting up physical barriers they can't get past. If you want to keep ground squirrels and rabbits away, build a chicken wire or plastic fence around your garden. Alternatively, you can use a plant cage in an area where larger pests like bears, deer, boars, coyotes, or raccoons are an issue. But be sure to bury your fence or cage a few inches deep in the ground to prevent them from digging underneath it.  

If you have an area or patch of your yard prone to attracting pests, mow it regularly to destroy the existing vegetation. This will prevent any pests from hiding up in the grass and being able to reach your garden. While you're at it, take a few minutes to trim any bushes or hedges in your garden that tend to attract food sources or prey, and make sure to remove any dead bushes or weeds from your yard that were once pest-friendly.  

Ideally, you should avoid having garbage that attracts pests in your garden. It's not just about keeping food out of the reach of pests but also ensuring that the area is free from trash. Heavy-duty trash bags with a tight seal or a locking lid help keep the smell of garbage out, and the tight seal helps prevent pests from getting inside. This is especially important if you live in a hot environment, where food scents can permeate the air and attract insects.  

Non-toxic insect repellents or pest control products can get rid of unwanted pests without harming humans or the plants in your garden. Even bacteria, fungi and viruses can't survive in the presence of these plant protection products. If you're shopping for chemical-free pest killers, look for words like "organic" or "biodegradable" on the label. You won't have to worry about your pets or children being exposed to the chemicals in the product.  

While it might be tempting to plant the same crop in your garden yearly, rotate your crops periodically to prevent pests from getting a foothold. Susceptible crops replaced after infestation every so often discourage pests from returning, and you'll enjoy an uninterrupted harvest of healthy and nutritious veggies! Some gardeners adopt this technique to speed up the process of weed control in their gardens, as well.  

Poorly drained soil is a haven for pests since it allows them to breed and grow unsuspectedly. As such, you'll need to take some time out of your gardening schedule to create good drainage and remove any stagnant water. Moisture-loving moles, slugs and other critters can make your garden their buffet, and if you don't take this step, you'll find yourself dealing with their prey or predators regularly.