Nothing beautifies your garden like a well cared for lawn, but pests such as insects and other wildlife can ruin the garden you’ve worked so hard to maintain.  There are many chemical treatments to take care of these pests, but they can be harmful to the environment, your pets, and your children.   If you’re sick of having your garden eaten alive, I have good news.  There are several options available for natural pest control.

Many garden care stores offer natural pest control products.  Most of these are similar to chemical options; they are simply made from natural ingredients.  While these are a good alternative, you should do a little research before you buy.  Just because something is natural, doesn’t mean it’s safe.  It also may not work as well as chemical pesticides.  Check online to find other people who have used the products.

Another option for natural pest control is to add beneficial insects to your garden.  They get rid of harmful insects without adding any chemicals (even natural ones) to your garden.  While this is generally better for the environment, you should be sure not to throw your ecosystem out of whack.  Adding too many insects or adding ones that are not already in your area can cause harm to your natural ecosystem.  Research any animal before adding it to your garden.

Another natural option you may not have heard of is companion planting.  This technique has been used by farmers for many years as a natural way to enhance the soil and protect against pests.  Companion planting is when you put two different plants together in the same area.  If you pick the correct plants and care for them properly, they will benefit each other.  In vegetable gardens, you can plant crops such as squash, which have vines that many larger animals don’t want to work their way through.  For traditional gardens, there are plants that naturally repel certain kinds of pests, usually through smell.

Hopefully these options will be helpful to you.  Good luck with your organic garden.