They are many ways to control pests in the garden without resorting to pesticides. One old fashioned way is by using a soap spray. You can mix 3 tablespoons of a mild soap such as Ivory Snow with a gallon of water. Spray on the plants with a spray bottle. This kills most soft bodied insects such as aphids, mealy bugs, spider mites, stinkbugs, crickets and grasshoppers. Most of the insects will be dead within an hour. Some plants can be damaged by repeated soap sprays though. Cabbage, cucumbers and melons should either not be sprayed or rinsed thoroughly a couple hours after spraying.

Another alternative is Pyrethrum, a natural pesticide derived from chrysanthemums. It kills many insects and repels others. It should be sprayed in the evening. Do not combine with soap sprays. Diatomaceous earth, a mineral dust, can be found in most plant nurseries. It kills many insects; make sure you buy the kind specifically for gardens.

Crushed mint leaves, oil of clove, and camphor are all natural insect repellents and can be used around your garden and in your home. For ants you can sprinkle powdered chili pepper, paprika, dried peppermint, borax or blended citrus peel and water to stop them from entering an area. To keep mosquitoes off while you are in the garden you can dilute pennyroyal or citronella oil with olive oil and rub on your skin. Or you can rub vinegar on your skin with a cotton ball.

Another very effective from of pest control is by planting plants that repel insects. Asters repel most insects, basil repels flies and mosquitoes, borage repels tomato worm and should be planted near tomatoes, calendula repels most insects as do chrysanthemum, garlic deters the Japanese beetle and some other insects, and marigold discourages Mexican bean beetles, nematodes and other insects. Mint deters ants. Onions repel many insects. Petunias should be used as a companion plant to beans. Peppermint should be planted with cabbage to deter the cabbage butterfly. Rue deters Japanese beetles. And many other plants, especially herbs should be used as companion plants for certain vegetables to keep away insects that eat and destroy the vegetables.

With knowledge and work you can control the pests in your garden without resorting to chemicals and pesticides.

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