When the world goes sideways, your survival garden becomes your lifeline. But what happens when pests threaten to destroy your hard-earned crops? In a crisis, you can’t rely on store-bought pesticides. You need natural, sustainable solutions that work without harming your health or the environment. As a seasoned prepper and homesteader, I’ve battled every garden pest imaginable. These 15 time-tested methods will help you protect your precious food supply using materials you can find or make yourself. Get ready to outsmart those bugs and keep your survival garden thriving, come what may.
Companion Planting
Companion planting is like creating a natural fortress for your garden. By strategically placing certain plants next to each other, you can repel pests and boost growth. For example, planting marigolds around your vegetables wards off nematodes and attracts beneficial insects. Basil keeps mosquitoes and flies away while improving the flavor of tomatoes. Try planting onions or garlic near carrots to repel carrot flies.
Neem Oil Spray
Neem oil is a powerful, all-natural pesticide derived from the neem tree. It disrupts the feeding and breeding cycles of over 200 species of insects, including aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies. To make a spray, mix 1 teaspoon of neem oil with 1 quart of water and a drop of dish soap. Apply this mixture to your plants every 7-14 days for effective pest control.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a fine powder made from fossilized algae. It works by physically damaging the exoskeletons of insects, causing them to dehydrate. Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around your plants or on the leaves to control crawling insects like slugs, beetles, and ants. Reapply after rain or heavy dew for continued protection.
Garlic Spray
Garlic is nature’s pest repellent, effective against a wide range of insects and even some animal pests. To make a spray, blend 4-5 cloves of garlic with 2 cups of water. Strain the mixture and add a teaspoon of liquid soap. Dilute this concentrate with 1 quart of water before spraying on your plants. The strong odor repels pests while the sulfur in garlic acts as a natural fungicide.
Predatory Insects
Invite nature’s pest control squad into your garden by attracting beneficial predatory insects. Ladybugs, lacewings, and praying mantises feast on aphids, mites, and other garden pests. Plant flowers like dill, fennel, and yarrow to attract these helpful bugs. You can also purchase predatory insects from garden suppliers to jumpstart your natural pest control army.
Soap Spray
A simple soap spray can be surprisingly effective against soft-bodied insects like aphids and mites. Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap with 1 quart of water. Spray directly on pests, being sure to coat both sides of leaves. The soap breaks down the insects’ protective coating, causing them to dehydrate. Avoid using on a hot, sunny day to prevent leaf burn.
Crop Rotation
Outsmart pests by changing the location of your crops each season. Many pests overwinter in the soil, expecting to find their favorite food in the same spot come spring. By rotating crops, you disrupt their life cycle and reduce pest populations. As a bonus, crop rotation also helps maintain soil fertility. Keep a garden journal to track your rotations year to year.
Handpicking
Sometimes, the most effective pest control method is also the simplest. Regularly inspect your plants and remove pests by hand. This works especially well for larger insects like tomato hornworms or Colorado potato beetles. Drop the pests into a bucket of soapy water to dispose of them. Early morning or evening are the best times for handpicking when insects are less active.
Beer Traps
Slugs and snails can decimate a garden overnight. Lure them away with beer traps. Bury a shallow container so the rim is level with the soil and fill it halfway with beer. The yeast in the beer attracts slugs and snails, who then fall in and drown. Check and refill your traps every few days for continuous protection.
Homemade Pepper Spray
Spice up your pest control game with a homemade pepper spray. Blend 2 hot peppers (like jalapenos or habaneros) with 1 cup of water. Strain the mixture and add 1 quart of water and a teaspoon of liquid soap. This fiery spray repels a variety of insects and even some mammals like rabbits and deer. Use caution when preparing and applying, as it can irritate eyes and skin.
Sticky Traps
Catch flying pests with homemade sticky traps. Cut yellow cardboard into rectangles and coat them with a sticky substance like petroleum jelly or a mixture of corn syrup and water. Hang these traps near your plants to capture whiteflies, fungus gnats, and fruit flies. The yellow color attracts many flying insects, while the sticky coating traps them.
Baking Soda Fungicide
Combat fungal diseases like powdery mildew with a simple baking soda spray. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap with 1 gallon of water. Spray on affected plants weekly to prevent and treat fungal infections. The baking soda changes the pH on the leaf surface, making it inhospitable for fungal growth.
Row Covers
Protect your crops with physical barriers like row covers. These lightweight fabric sheets allow light, air, and water to reach your plants while keeping pests out. They’re especially effective against flying insects like cabbage moths and carrot flies. Secure the edges with soil or stakes to prevent pests from crawling underneath.
Beneficial Nematodes
Enlist microscopic allies in your pest control efforts with beneficial nematodes. These tiny roundworms seek out and destroy soil-dwelling pests like cutworms, grubs, and root maggots. Apply them to moist soil in the evening, as they’re sensitive to light and heat. One application can provide pest control for up to two years.
Milk Spray
Surprisingly, milk can be an effective fungicide and fertilizer. Mix 1 part milk with 9 parts water and spray on plants to prevent powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. The proteins in milk form a protective layer on leaves, while its natural antiseptic properties combat fungal spores. As a bonus, milk adds calcium to the soil, strengthening plant cell walls.
