Pests! The bane of gardeners everywhere. Here in the Pacific Northwest we have a host of pests that can side rail your best gardening efforts.
Below is a great video by Big Bug Hunt an organization that is working with gardeners around the world. They have an online source called called Report a Bug. I keep it on my phone and when I see a bug I take a photo and they will tell me what it is. In addition, they have an ongoing project to compile pest insects and will send you an announcement when pest bugs will show up in your garden. Pretty Cool.
Finally, if you have an inquisitive student, this is an AWESOME resource for your kiddos as they explore nature outside your back door.
The Big Bug Hunt publishes videos regularly detailing garden tasks, methods, gardening hints and mitigating bug damage in your garden.
Big Bug Hunt: How to Beat Bugs in your Garden
To summarize:
1. Keep your crops healthy
2. Encourage predatory insects, lady bugs, toads or frogs
3. Attract Predatory insects by planting flowers with large open pedals. Callendula, Fennel, Daisies are examples.
4. Insect Hotels
- Install a bought or homemade insect hotels.
- Leave dead wood in the corner of your garden for beetles
- Nettles attract a compliment of predator bugs
5. Install a small pond or bucket sunk into your garden. This will attract frogs and toads which eat slugs and many insects making them perfect garden companions. This will be a fun project for students. Get creative.
6. Physical vegetation, trees & shrubs provide nesting space for bug eating birds
7. Physical barriers, floating row cover and netting will help keep cabbage moths off your crops.
So check out the above video on How to Beat Bugs In Your Garden.
Happy gardening!
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