Common Summer Pests and How to Manage Them Naturally

By Ashleigh Smith for True Leaf Market

The joy of a thriving summer garden can quickly be spoiled by pesky insects damaging your crops and flowers. Whether you are growing a productive vegetable garden or delicate ornamental flowers, preventing and controlling pests is vital to a successful summer garden. While traditional pest control methods rely on synthetic chemicals, there are several organic pest control solutions that home gardeners can use for health, environmental, and pollinator safety reasons. Check out these natural pest control practices for a healthier and more productive garden this season.

4 Natural Pest Control Solutions:

Neem Oil Spray

Neem oil originates from neem seeds and is safe for use on anything from flowers, vegetables, herbs, and houseplants to trees and shrubs. The superpower of neem oil spray is that it not only controls existing pest populations but also prevents pest damage and disease development. Sprays like Captain Jack’s Neem Oil act as an all-purpose pest and disease solution for organic home gardens with insecticide, fungicide, and miticide properties.

Companion Planting

Companion planting is beneficial to home gardeners for several reasons, as it increases pollinator activity and deters some pests while attracting beneficial insects to control others. While companion planting does require a little research, it is as simple as growing specific plants next to each other. Some popular pairings include growing borage, basil and marigolds near tomatoes to repel pests with their aroma and flavor. French marigolds are especially believed to repel nematodes and aphids. To help prevent beetle and squash bug damage on cucumbers and squash plants, try growing radishes, dill, tansy, and calendula nearby. These plants can help deter pests and attract beneficial insects to naturally control common garden pests.

Sacrificial Trap Crops

While some plants are grown for their ability to repel pests or attract beneficial insects, others can be grown to trap expected pests. This may seem counterintuitive, but it is actually a great tool used by experienced and strategic growers. By growing a plant that is preferred by common pests, such as aphids, squash bugs, and beetles, over your garden crops, you can protect your valuable harvest. The pests will gravitate towards the trap crop while leaving your harvest alone. When deciding where to grow your trap crops, plan for locations that will draw pests away, such as a perimeter, rather than interplanting. Popular trap crops include nasturtiums, radishes, sunflowers, and zinnias, which are used to attract pests away from squash, cucumbers, beans, and tomatoes. For Brassicas, try growing mustard, tatsoi, turnips, or collard greens.

Pheromone Traps

Pheromones are chemical signals that insects use to communicate, especially for finding a mate. By using this type of trap, you can confuse the pests living in and near your garden. The traps work by luring the male pests who are searching for their mate towards your trap. Common traps include sticky papers, funnels, or buckets filled with a soapy solution. Once they are captured, you are able to reduce the rate of reproduction and thus reduce the damage that will occur to your crops. Pheromone traps are especially useful against moths, borers, and hornworms. You may see them commonly used throughout orchards to reduce the amount of pesticides used throughout the season.

5 Most Common Summer Garden Pests and What to Do About Them

Tomato Hornworm - These pesky caterpillars can quickly eat through your tomato fruits, leaves, and stems, leaving you with little to harvest. If they are not caught quickly, they will take over your tomato crops. Be sure to check your plants regularly for damage and remove these crawlers promptly. Having a hard time spotting them? Try using a blacklight at night to illuminate their bodies. Tomato hornworms have a natural fluorescent compound that glows when exposed to UV light. Neem oil is also a great option for preventing damage.

Aphids - These tiny bugs can be a nightmare to eliminate once their population becomes established, which can happen very quickly. Aphids can quickly get out of hand because they reproduce at an exponential rate and do not require a mate. In just a few days, a small population can turn into an infestation. To protect your garden, consider using neem oil, trap crops, and companion plants. Companion planting is ideal for attracting beneficial insects that prey on aphids, such as ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and lacewings.

Squash Bugs- These creepy crawly bugs target plants of the cucurbit family, which includes summer and winter squash, cucumbers, and melons. They cause damage by piercing and sucking nutrients from the leaves and stems of your plants. Once they start to feed on your plants, you may notice wilting and yellowing of leaves. Be sure to act fast, as severe damage can lead to death, especially in stressed plants. Prevent damage by using companion plants, trap crops, or neem oil.

Cucumber Beetles- These chewing pests can leave holes in the flowers, leaves, roots, and fruits. Not only do they affect cucumbers, but also squashes and melons. You will want to keep a watchful eye for signs of damage, as these pests can also leave your plants susceptible to, or transmit, diseases like cucumber mosaic virus and powdery mildew. Using growing practices like crop rotation can help control cucumber beetle populations from year to year. Fight back by using trap crops, row covers, neem oil, and companion plants.

Growing a garden is exciting! Nothing can spoil a great harvest like annoying pests. Be sure to protect your crops by using tried-and-true natural pest control solutions, such as neem oil sprays, companion plants, trap crops, and pheromone traps. Keep your plants healthy and productive for a season full of tasty fruits and vegetables. Nothing beats the flavor of food fresh from the garden. Enjoy!

About the Author:

Ashleigh Smith is the Managing Editor at True Leaf Market with a bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. True Leaf Market is a nationally certified organic, non-GMO seed and horticultural company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The True Leaf Market staff specializes in supplying a large selection of conventional, heirloom, and organic seeds to home gardeners everywhere. Learn more about our seeds, supplies, and other growing ideas: www.trueleafmarket.com.

All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.

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