Summer is finally here, and with it, come all those unwanted garden pests. There’s nothing special about that, most homeowners will have to deal with such concerns at some point or another, and many accept pests as a natural by-product of their gardening ventures.

However, that doesn’t mean you should take a pest infestation lying down this summer. Rather, we suggest taking active measures to protect your garden against pests and ensure a plentiful and healthy growth in your garden.

What can you do?

1. Pay attention to the location.

Yes, where you set up your garden matters quite a lot, actually. And not just for ensuring your plants grow, but also in combating pest invasions. Before you set up your garden, take a good look around your yard. Keep an eye out for bad bugs, especially around your ornamental flowers (think rose bushes or azaleas). Obviously, the closer your garden is to those, the likelier the bad bugs are to spread over.

So make sure you set up your garden in a place far enough away from the bad bugs (and start treating your plants against those, as well). Moreover, make sure you set up your garden in a location where it would get plentiful light, otherwise, you risk getting weak crops, which are more prone to pests.2. Use strong scents to repel.

An excellent DIY method to fight against pests is by surrounding your garden with strongly scented plants that will naturally repel pests. Now, these will be a little different from critter to critter, which is why it’s important to familiarize yourself with the pests that are most likely to bother you. Rodents are particularly popular garden pests, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for garden tips to prevent mice.

Some of the best strong scents that repel mice, as well as other pests, include calendula, garlic, lavender, chives, thyme, and coriander. Not only are these great for staving off pests, but they’re also really handy in the kitchen!

3. Call a pest control company.

It’s all well and good to educate yourself on common garden pests, and we do encourage you to visit getridofpests.com to learn more about garden pest removal.

But sometimes, the easiest solution is to just reach out to a professional pest removal company. Teams like Metro Wildlife Control are experts in spotting early signs of a pest infestation, as well as removing it quickly, so as to protect your crops. Not only that, but they will also be able to spot potential risk factors that may, in time, lead to a pest infestation, as well as advise you on future prevention tips.

Hiring a professional pest control team is by far the most efficient way to prevent an infestation, and save your garden.

4. Spray your garden (if necessary).

Using organic bug spray can also be an effective way to protect your crops from a pest infestation. However, bear in mind that using chemical pesticides should only be a last resort, and not your go-to approach, as these concoctions will also harm beneficial insects, and possibly even endanger your health.

Rather, stick to hosing down your crops on a regular basis to discourage pests, and use an organic, homemade pest spray, using natural deterrents like neem.5. Choose good crops.

Depending on where you are in the world, and the climate in your area, some crops are more likely to grow and develop than others. Choosing the wrong crops for your climate will lead to stressed, dwindling crops, unfortunately, which also act as a breeding ground for pests.

So do a little research before you start your garden, and choose the right crops, to deter pests.6. Use crop rotation wisely.

Crop rotation is the practice of moving your crops around at regular intervals, to deter pests, and improve soil fertility. While crop rotation is also influenced by your local climate, ideally, you’ll want to rotate your crops once every two or three years (or even once a year in some cases). This will decrease your garden’s chances of getting pests, and also ensure your crops grow well and strong.

While there’s no 100% way of ensuring a pest-free garden, the above steps will go a long way in that direction!