Summer is the time to barbeque, enjoying your evenings with friends and family.  Having to worry about bugs can ruin your fun. There are other alternatives besides using chemicals on your lawn that is safer for you, your family and your pets.  Here are some simple tips to help you along the way.

  • First pullout any weak or already infected plants, building healthy soil to nurture strong plant growth, disinfecting all tools after working on infected plants and minimizing breeding grounds for pests by getting rid of non-essential areas of the garden that might serve as a habitat. It is also useful to interplant and rotate crops because it will stop spreading or infestation of the many pests that are specific to one type of plant.  Keeping the garden clean by removing areas to hide is one of the best natural ways to control garden pests. Take away hiding places and their numbers will be much less.
  • Also planting plants year round to help with the bugs like: aromatic plants such as basil, tansy, marigolds and sage will send a signal to bugs to go elsewhere. Try planting some near your vegetable gardens.   Mint, dill, thyme and sage are great near cabbage plants.  Also include garlic and onions nearby, as non-bug pests, like rabbits, hate these strong scents.

There are many beneficial bugs like lady bugs and praying mantises that are good for your gardens.  Ladybugs get rid of harmful aphids, and lacewings consume spider mites and get rid of a number of other devastating insects. Mexican beetle bugs look very similar to lady bugs but they do not have black heads like lady bugs.  You will want to get rid of these bugs.

How to rid of mosquitos in your garden:

  • Garlic is the main component in many herbal remedies. Mosquitoes hate it. Gardeners who eat lots of garlic may find that they scratch those mosquito bites far less. Nevertheless, organic gardeners use garlic sprays, powders and plantings to help deter the creatures. It may not reduce their numbers dramatically, but when coupled with other natural combatants, you may see a reliable reduction.
  • Catnip will repel all varieties of mosquitoes. They believe an essential oil found in catnip, the one that gives it its characteristic odor, is actually more effective at repelling these pests that Deet, the chemical used in most commercial insect repellants.
  • Rosemary is prized in herbal gardens for its obvious kitchen uses this wonderful herb is also adroit at sending mosquitoes off in a hurry.
  • Citronella oil is a safe and effective way to keep mosquitoes away during your garden parties and backyard entertainments. Citronella candles, torches around your yard and pools will deter mosquitos.
  • Eliminating stagnant water from your yard will also help reduce mosquito numbers. Even removing piles of moisture-retaining leaves will help in the cause.

You can have a peaceful backyard for your summer fun.  Just take into consideration some steps that you need to make to have that backyard you always wanted a bug free environment.