Natural Pest Control for 5 Common Garden Pests

Five years ago I was cautiously optimistic that our new garden would be too out of the way for pests to find...but I was proven otherwise. For the past three years, squash bugs have been the bane of my gardening existence. Last summer our cooler, wet weather was slug’s dream come true. They munched on everything from tender leaves to ripening fruit, leaving trails of destruction in their wake. And don’t even get me started on cucumber beetles. To top it off, we had a new visitor to the garden last year: the Colorado potato beetle. Let’s just say it was a fantastic year for the pests!

Despite all this, I’m still hesitant to spray anything on my garden, even organic options. Instead, I lean into natural solutions. Sure, they take more time and dedication, but knowing my plants are treated with safe, gentle remedies makes it all worth it. Plus, it forces me to pay close attention to my plants, checking regularly to see how well the solutions are working. It’s a bit of extra effort, but the peace of mind (and the healthier garden) is so rewarding. Let's dive into 5 very common garden pests and how I like to treat them.

Natural Pest Control Ideas

1. Aphids

Signs: Yellowing leaves, sticky residue (known as honeydew), or distorted new growth. Or in my case, entire stalks covered in these little bugs.

Solution: DIY insecticidal soap. Mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap with 1 quart of water and add a teaspoon of vegetable oil. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz directly on affected plants, focusing on the undersides of leaves where aphids love to hide. (Always test a small section of your plant first to ensure there’s no adverse reaction.)

2. Slugs and Snails

Signs: Irregular holes in leaves and shiny trails on the soil or plants.

Solution: Beer traps! Bury a small container, like an empty tin can or mason jar, so the rim is level with the soil. Fill it with beer, and slugs will crawl in overnight. Empty and refill as needed. If you’re not a fan of beer, you can use a mixture of yeast, sugar, and water to achieve the same effect.

3. Cabbage Worms

Signs: Chewed-up leaves, especially on brassicas like kale and cabbage, and tiny green worms on the underside of leaves. Or small white moths flitting around your brassicas.

Solution: Sprinkle the plants with plain flour. The worms will ingest the flour, swell, and die. For added control, inspect your plants regularly and handpick the worms, tossing them into a bucket of soapy water.

4. Spider Mites

Signs: Fine webbing under leaves and yellow speckles on foliage.

Solution: Use a strong jet of water to dislodge the mites. Afterward, wipe the leaves with a cloth dipped in a mixture of water and dish soap. Regular rinsing and wiping can keep spider mites at bay while protecting your plants.

5. Squash Bugs

Signs: Wilting vines and clusters of bronze-colored eggs on the undersides of leaves. Or in my case, masses of stink bug like bugs eating your plant and squash.

Solution: Knock the bugs into a bucket of soapy water to remove them from your plants. Check the undersides of leaves for egg clusters, and scrape them off with a butter knife or piece of cardboard. If you’re dealing with a larger infestation, planting trap crops like blue hubbard squash nearby can help lure squash bugs away from your squash plants.

Bonus Tip: Planting Trap Crops

Trap crops are a fantastic way to keep pests busy while protecting your main harvest. For example, nasturtiums are beloved by aphids, making them an excellent decoy plant. Radishes can deter cucumber beetles, while marigolds attract pests like spider mites and nematodes.

By using these simple and natural methods, you can keep pests under control while enjoying the beauty and bounty of your garden. I find gardening is all about balance, and these solutions allow you to work with nature rather than against it.

Do you have a favorite natural pest control tip? Share it in the comments below—I’d love to hear how you keep your garden thriving!