Pesticides may keep insects at bay, but research has shown they also have negative influences on people, animals, and the environment. According to the World Health Organization, pesticides can have adverse health effects on humans, ranging from impacting an individual’s reproductive ability to hindering the immune system. Given these facts, more and more people are looking for natural ways to keep insects away from their gardens and crops. Here, the lawn and garden supply professionals at Clifton Feed and Service Center in Texas give you five tips for organically controlling insects.

5 Organic Insect Control Tips From Clifton Lawn & Garden Supply Pros

1. Create Natural Barriers

Some plants can act as walls to keep crawling insects from entering your home or garden. Peppermint and spearmint, for instance, inhibit aphids and ants. Plant them around sensitive flowers as natural bodyguards.

2. Give Your Plants Personalized Protection

Certain natural items similarly deter all kinds of creepy crawlies. Snails won’t cross a line of lime, while ants steer clear of cayenne pepper and slugs stay away from iron phosphate, a natural inorganic material.

3. Create Happy Homes for Protective Bugs

Lady beetles, green lacewings, and praying mantises are among those “good” insects that will happily snack on the more damaging beasties in your garden. By creating welcoming habitats for such protective bugs, you can encourage natural population control and protect your plants.

4. Use Biological Pest Control Measures

Biological pesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can be used to fend off damaging insects—in Bt’s case, leaf-eating caterpillars, cabbageworms, and gypsy moths. Found in soils all over the world, this bacterium paralyzes the digestive tracts of the insects that eat it. However, it poses no harm to people, pets, birds, or beneficial insects like honeybees.

5. Look to Organic Remedies

In addition to some of the homemade solutions described above, you can also look to organic pest control solutions sold in stores. A lawn and garden expert can give you information regarding safe and effective options that will suit your needs.

If you’re in need of expert insight regarding organic insect control in Texas, look to Clifton Feed and Service Center. As Bosque County’s premiere purveyor of lawn and garden supplies, as well as hunting accessories and farm supplies, these professionals are familiar with the local landscape—and how to live with the creatures that inhabit it. Visit their website or call (254) 675-3416 to find out more.