Stopping those nibbling garden pests
Staff writer
What's eating your garden?
Whether you're growing flowers or vegetables, there are a number of pests out there that can attack your garden, and if not handled quickly, they can virtually destroy your plants.
Right now, rabbits are my problem. They are systematically eating my front flower bed, and few plants are safe.
Talking to gardeners and pest experts, I have gathered deterrents from home remedies to professional chemicals to help with your spring garden.
Right now, rabbits and deer can be the most troublesome. Planting things that the wild animals don't like is one option. Inter-planting things that either taste or smell bad may help deter these pests.
Garlic and onions are usually safe from pests, and scattering them around your other vegetables can help keep insects and other pests away, according to Paul Jantzen of Hillsboro.
Some other strongly scented plants that will deter pests like deer are lemon thyme, spearmint, lamb's ear, and rosemary. Prickly or unappetizing plant deterrents are blackberries, Rotunda Chinese Holly, Madagascar Periwinkle, butterfly weed, and common foxglove.
Research at your library or online will help you find more plant options.
Another deterrent for animal pests is fencing.
"Fences keep deer away, if they're tall enough," said Jantzen.
The fence will have to be below ground level to keep rabbits from digging into the garden.
However, these aren't options for all gardens.
Marion County extension agent, Rick Roberts says wildlife specialist Charlie Lee used to recommend a product called repel to keep rabbits away, but isn't sure of its effectiveness.
Wayne Friesen at Hillsboro Co-operative Grain and Feed says he isn't aware of any product that will keep rabbits away from your garden, but recommends scattering human hair around your garden.
"It works for me," said Friesen
Insect pests can sometimes be harder to control.
Sharon Boese owner of The Garden Center in Hillsboro says it's important to keep chemicals to a minimum when treating insect pests in the garden.
"It's not the only way or always the best," said Boese, "but it takes more time to garden without chemicals."
Aphids are usually one of the first insects to show up according to Boese.
She suggests first trying to wash them off with soapy water, and only then to use a chemical.
"You have to be careful that chemical sprays don't harm beneficial insects like bees," said Boese.
She suggests that gardeners know the life cycle of the pest, and under what conditions it flourishes.
Roberts says, and Boese agrees, that the most important thing to do to stop grasshoppers is to catch them early.
"I don't know anything other than insecticide to get rid of grasshoppers," said Roberts. "The trick is you have to get them early, if you wait until they're mature, it's too late."
He says that using Sevin in your garden to control grasshoppers would be a safe option.
Make sure to read the product label for any chemical or product you use in your garden carefully before using, and wash any fruit or vegetable thoroughly.
