Work
in Concert with Nature to Manage Garden Pests and Mosquitoes in the Landscape
By Melinda Myers
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[June 27, 2017]
A
garden filled with flowers, birds, bees and butterflies is a
sight to behold. These winged beauties add color, sound and motion
to our gardens. Plus, they help maximize a garden’s productivity by
pollinating plants and managing plant-damaging pests. |
But what about those unwanted visitors to the garden? The aphids,
mites and cabbage worms that feed upon our plants or the mosquitoes
that feed upon us. There are ways to have a beautiful garden and at
the same time enjoy the outdoors when we work with nature to manage
our landscape.
Add a birdbath, a few birdhouses and plants for the birds. They’ll
repay you by eating many of the insects that feed upon your plants.
Include seed-bearing plants like coneflowers, Rudbeckias and cosmos
as well as berry plants like Juneberry, dogwood and firethorn. Add
an evergreen and a few trees for shelter and nesting, if space
allows.
Include a hummingbird feeder and a few of their favorite flowers
like columbine, salvia, penstemon, and phlox. Then watch as these
fast flyers feed upon aphids, mites and mosquitoes in between sips
of nectar.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/Jun/24/images/ads/current/Guzzardos_sda_relay_2017.png) While watching the birds, bees and butterflies, examine your plants
for garden pests. Catching insects early may mean the difference
between a successful harvest and disappointment. Before reaching for
the pesticides and destroying their food source, attract the good
guys and manage unwanted pests with a few of these eco-friendly
strategies.
Tolerate a bit of damage and wait for the birds, lady beetles,
praying mantis and other beneficial insects to move in and eat the
bad bugs in the garden. Use barriers like row covers to keep cabbage
worms off your cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels Sprouts.
Sink shallow containers filled with beer into the soil around hostas
and some of the other favorite plants of slugs and snails. These
pests are attracted to the fermenting yeast, crawl inside and die. [to top of second
column] |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/Jun/24/images/ads/current/pacesetter_lda_041116.png)
If the bad guys persist, step up your eco-friendly control. Knock
small populations of aphids and mites off plants with a strong blast
of water. Apply insecticidal soap or Summit Year-Round Spray Oil if
nature needs a helping hand. These organic insecticides are
effective at managing pests, while gentle on the good guys when used
properly.
Keep mosquito populations to a minimum. Drain water from toys,
buckets or any object that can hold water and serve as a breeding
ground for mosquitoes. Change the water in birdbaths several times a
week. Toss a Mosquito Dunk (SummitResponsibleSolutions.com) in rain
barrels and water features. This organic insecticide only kills the
larvae of mosquitoes, black flies and fungus gnats. It won’t harm
bees, butterflies, birds, pets and people.
Evaluate your success and make needed adjustments. Write a note in
next year’s calendar to watch for the return of these pests. You’ll
be ready to step in and lend nature a hand if needed.
As you begin to work in harmony with nature you will find more
birds, bees and butterflies visiting your garden. Together you can
grow a beautiful and productive garden for all to enjoy.
[Photo by Melinda Myers]
Gardening expert Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening
books, including Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s
Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food
Gardening For Everyone” DVD set and the nationally syndicated
Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Myers is also a
columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and
was commissioned by Summit for her expertise to write this article.
Myers’ website is www.melindamyers.com. |