Gentle Pest Control
Start with the mildest fix that could work
1 min read
Reach for the least drastic option first and escalate only if you must. Most outbreaks in a balanced garden fade on their own once predators catch up, so your job is often to buy them a few days.
A ladder of responses
Begin by removing pests by hand or with a jet of water. Encourage predators with flowers and a small water dish. Use barriers like netting and collars. Only then consider a targeted spray such as insecticidal soap, and always in the evening to spare bees.
Everyday tactics
- Squash aphid colonies between finger and thumb, or hose them off.
- Grow flowers like calendula and yarrow to feed hoverflies and ladybirds.
- Cover carrots and brassicas with fine mesh from day one.
- Go out after dark with a torch to collect slugs and snails.
A few holes in the leaves are the price of a garden that is not drenched in chemicals. Aim for balance, not sterility.
If you do spray, read the label and keep it off open flowers. Background on the approach is under integrated pest management.
