Whiteflies, slugs, and fire ants are among the many pests in Hawaii that can create serious gardening challenges. To prevent pests from taking over your garden beds and marring their beauty, review the following tips. All will help you maintain healthier, more beautiful tropical landscapes. 

4 Ways to Keep Pests Out of Your Garden

1. Attract Natural Predators

There are a variety of natural predators that consume pest insects, including butterflies, ladybugs, toads, snakes, ground beetles, and lizards. Research ways to attract the predators you need, such as planting dill and cilantro to encourage ladybug visitors. The more natural predators your garden features in light of the pests you deal with, the more likely these unwelcome insects and slugs are to disappear. 

2. Use Cups of Beer

Beer is among the numerous gardening hacks for eliminating pests. Simply bury cups in your garden, but leave their openings exposed. Pour stale beer in the cups, which attracts slugs and snails. These creatures fall into the cups of beer and cannot get out. The mild electrical charges copper strips and wires provide also deter snails and slugs. 

3. Grow Aromatic Herbs

Numerous herbs give off scents that are pleasant to humans but repulsive to pests. Fennel, mint, and catnip are among your options that can be planted to create natural garden bed barriers. Such herbs also add flavor to assorted foods, with catnip also a favorite of cats. You can dry the herb and use it to create toys if you have feline friends. 

4. Make the Ground “Unwalkable”

If assorted pests cannot navigate your gardens, they cannot cause destruction. Broken eggshells are ideal, because they create a sharp, dangerous landscape for caterpillars, slugs, snails, and other pests. They also function as natural fertilizer and therefore make your garden soil more nutrient-rich. 

Spread the eggshells around all plants that need extra protection. When applying crushed eggshells, look for fallen leaves, weeds, and other decaying organic matter that attracts garden pests and promotes fungal growth.

For garden supplies that help your pest prevention efforts, rely on Garden Exchange, Ltd. Based in Hilo, this family-owned gardening store has served area residents since 1964 and continues to be a community resource. Call (808) 961-2875 today with questions or visit the gardening center online to browse the supplies.