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Sure, spraying toxic pesticides all over your yard might be the easiest pest prevention method out there, but it’s never the best idea.
Firstly, they are potentially poisonous for pets or children who come in direct contact with the poison via foliage or playing with the container. Also, these toxins usually kill every insect - including the beneficial ones.
Instead, we recommend protecting landscapes from pests using effective, earth-friendly options that get the job done without risking the ones you love or the environment.
When you’re finished reviewing this list, read Creating an Eco-Friendly Landscape Design for more tips on how to design yard spaces that make your world - and the world-at-large - a better and healthier place.
If you aren’t interested in making your own pest prevention products such as pesticides/repellents, and you’re used to the easy-to-apply spray methods, Wondercide is a perfect alternative for you. It is made right here in the USA using natural, sustainable, and eco-friendly ingredients. Even so, it is effective for killing fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and 100 other pests, without doing any harm to pollinators.
Its most active ingredient is cedar oil, which is a strong repellent for many pests. It affects pests at every stage of their life cycle - eggs, larvae, and adults. In addition to the fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes we listed above, Wondercide is also an effective pest spray for attacking and repelling:
It takes as little as 20 minutes to spray it around most yard spaces, on plants, around decks and patios, etc. They also make pet wipes that can be used safely to repel fleas and ticks from pet fur and skin.
If you have the time or are up for a project to work on a “science project” with the kids, you can make your own safe pesticide recipe. The recipes available for MYO pesticides cost pennies on the dollar when compared with commercial versions, which is another benefit.
Here is an example of an MYO garlic oil-based pesticide that is safe to make, use, and spray around your home and garden areas (courtesy of CommonSense Home):
Ingredients
Directions
Place chopped garlic cloves and mineral oil in a glass jar. Let steep for at least 24 hours (longer is fine if you don't get to it right away). Strain. Use as is, or add an equal amount of water and few drops of dish soap.
You can research more MYO pesticide options on the CommonSense Home website. We appreciate This Post, which shares recipes for pest-specific repellant.
There are plenty of plants that are pest-repellents on their own. Marigolds are a common example and are used by vegetable gardeners worldwide as a means of preventing certain pests from taking over their garden beds.
Both regular mint and spearmint are also pest deterrents. However, spearmint can be invasive so we recommend planting it in a container (or multiple containers around your yard) and then using cuttings to deter pests.
If you are more concerned about rodents and deer than the creepy-crawly types of pests, visit our posts, Plants That Keep Rats Away From Your Garden, and, Keep Out: A Guide to Deer Resistant Landscaping.
Special Note: If you’re getting ready to design a new landscape or renovate your existing one, let your landscape designer know that you are interested in inherently pest-resistant landscape design, and s/he can incorporate that into the overall vision.
There are many eco-friendly pest baits, traps, and lures that draw pests into their final end, without harming anyone or anything else. To help support local businesses, we recommend prioritizing a visit to the local home and garden store, where knowledgeable professionals can help you choose the best products for your needs.
Other websites with reputable, eco-friendly pest bait and lure options include:
If you already employ a landscape design and maintenance company, speak to them about your concerns. In most cases, they will have brought the pest issues to your attention and will have a list of options for you to choose from.
You can also seek referrals from neighbors, friends, or colleagues to see who they use to provide pest prevention. Commercial pest control companies such as Donvan’s, ATCO, Planet Orange, and others offer regularly scheduled programs that provide year-round pest protection for your home, garden, and yards.
Proactive attention to pest control and prevention, combined with effective eco-friendly options, is the best way to protect your yard from pests of all types.
Need support designing or maintaining a pest-repellent and pest-resistant landscape? Schedule a consultation with Bay Area Landscapes.