5 Natural Bug Killers That Should Be In Your Garden
July 19th, 2010 Posted in Green Living & News, Organic & Chemical PesticidesWhen people think about a natural bug killer, plant essential oils or certain herbal concoctions may come to mind.
But what about something a little more … lively?
There are many animals that live in and around gardens that can keep you bug-free year round.
So what are they, you ask?
Let’s find out.
Bats
Contrary to popular belief, not all bats are blood-sucking predators. Many are actually quite beneficial when it comes to insect control, especially if you have a mosquito problem.
Nocturnal by nature, bats hunt during the night, devouring mosquitoes, moths and other flying insects.
Studies have proven bats to be an invaluable tool in bug control.
Attracting bats to your yard is easy. Just build a bat box, attach it to a tree and wait. Though it may take bats a little while to find the box, once they do, they will gladly take residence and begin living up to their reputation as natural bug killers.
Bats may just be the new citronella.
Birds
Birds are perhaps the most well-known natural bug killers.
Not only do they eat a wide variety of bugs like caterpillars, mosquitoes and flies, they are also pretty to look at — and to listen to.
Birds will eat insects in the air, on the ground, off of plants, in crevices of trees and more.
Building (or buying) a bird house is a quick and easy way to keep birds around your house and garden.
Keep it environmentally friendly by hollowing out and painting old gourds as homes in which these feathered friends can live in.
Frogs
Do you have a pond, creek or river near your garden?
If so, you’ve probably been blessed with the presence of frogs. These amphibious creatures love feasting on all types of insects, and are great for insect control in the garden.
Keep these natural bug killers happy with a moist environment and plenty of insects to eat.
Snakes
Although many people find snakes quite unsettling to look at, they actually are a huge help when it comes to getting rid of garden pests.
Smaller, non-venomous snakes feed on insects both on the ground and in the air.
The garter snake also will eat slugs, snails and mice. This is definitely great news for gardeners, but bad news for those garden pests. However, they may also eat frogs and fish. Keep this in mind if you have a pond, as the snake may become a nuisance in the end.
Also, take caution if poisonous snakes find their way into the garden, and seek professional help for removal.
Venus Fly Traps
Better suited for indoor growing, venus fly traps are a wonderful natural bug killer for inside the house.
They release an odor that attracts flies and other flying insects, and then close up their “mouths” and eat them.
Venus fly traps are a great, fun-to-look-at natural bug killer.
Just be sure to grow them correctly, as they are suited for a humid, tropical climate.
If these living natural bug killers need a helping hand, choose a natural, organic insecticide that will kill bugs safely and not damage other animals or the environment.
Take a tip from Mother Nature and utilize some of her natural bug killers and enjoy natural pest control year-round, no chemicals required.
7 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!
By johnhannigan on Jul 26, 2010
try the box for bats for an entire year but did not atrack any bats.Any suggestions?
By EcoSMART Zach on Jul 27, 2010
John,
There aren’t any known substances that attract bats.
Try facing the house southwest, or putting it a bit higher in the air.
Also, the closer you are to water, the quicker the house will be inhabited.
Hope this helps!
By Hudson Valley Organic Insect Control on Jul 27, 2010
Thanks for the great information. Organic pest control and gardening are vital in creating a safe living environment. Keep up the good work.
By Mr A Lear on Aug 9, 2010
Hi we have recently had a big brown widow and black widow infestation outside. I was lucky to find someone who uses a spray where the insect enzyme is used to kill them. I would have like to take care of this problem myself – does your product tackle them? Also what is a natural predictor for these types of spider?
Thanks
By EcoSMART Zach on Aug 16, 2010
Mr. A Lear,
EcoSMART has a spider fogger that uses natural, organic ingredients to kill them.
Also, the mud dauber wasp is the natural black widow predator.
Hope this helps!
Zach
By Hudson Valley Organic Insect Control on Aug 23, 2010
Interesting idea to use animals like frogs and bats as natural insect control. It seems like an organic way to keep insect populations down could almost always be helpful. Great read!
By Hudson Valley Organic Lawn Care on Aug 23, 2010
Good point about offering organic lawn care services. It sounds like offering better organic services to clients is a good way to introduce a more environmentally way of lawn care.