More often than not, pest control methods involve toxic chemicals and other substances harmful to people and the environment. However, this is not the only solution to keeping unwanted pests away from farms and gardens. With some ingenuity and exploitation of nature, there are safe ways to effectively remove pests, and they can actually be quite a bit cheaper as well. Here are four effective methods to try.

Prevention

One of the easiest ways to avoid pest damage to plants is to prevent them from coming in the first place. In order to create a strong, pest-repellent environment,

•             Keep soil healthy and rich with nutrients. Try adding compost and mulch

•             Remove infected, or weak plants. Pests target these plants more often

•             Keep up with weeding. These are breeding grounds for many insects

•             Interplant your crops. Pests generally are specific to a plant and this will lessen their impact

Traps

Another method to get rid of pests is to trap them in the same way you catch mice. For many insects, putting flypaper in your fields or garden is enough to catch a great deal of them. Other traps include using pheromones to attract insects to a sticky substance they get caught in. Barrier paper may also be used to protect seedlings from insects until they are strong enough to resist them.

Other Insects

Insects, not considered pests, can be introduced into fields and gardens as a natural way to combat these pests. Introducing natural predators can help control and possibly eliminate many garden pests. Ladybugs are a very common option. They attack aphids and mites. A praying mantis is another option, and they will eat most any pest.

Non-Toxic Remedies

Another safe pest control technique is to spray plants, as you would with pesticides. However, these recipes involve safe, natural ingredients that will not harm your plants or the environment. Depending on the pests, you will need to use different mixtures. Here are some examples:

•             A mix of vegetable oil and mild soap will kill a variety of insects like aphids and mites

•             Neem oil, extracted from the neem tree, is another option that kills a broad spectrum on pests

•             A spray made from a tablespoon of chile powder in a quart of water with mild soap will also kill a broad range of pests

These are only a few of the ways to prevent and eliminate pests without using toxic chemicals and pesticides. Whether you have a small garden or a large farm, these techniques can help you control pests in a safe way. When you use quality products from places like Central Farm and Garden on your farm or lawn and garden, you have to protect them in the most safe and efficient ways. Just be sure to take the time to look into a lot of different products so that you can find the best possible options for you.