While maintaining a landscape in balance with the surrounding ecosystem always remains the goal of environmentally conscious gardening and landscaping, inevitably we have to deal with pest issues from time to time. Being conservative about pesticide use, utilizing ecologically-minded solutions, and focusing on prevention rather than elimination are preferable to indiscriminate use of toxic chemicals to manage pests.
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Pest Animal Control & Prevention
Probably the most concerning pest to work against are rodents, particularly mice and rats – While some small animal activity is inevitable and even welcomed in an ecological approach to gardening and landscaping, rodents definitely need to be kept minimized and out of our living space. Rodents tend to be disease vectors for humans, so keeping them under control is wise and beneficial to our own health if not the environment around us.
While part of a healthy ecosystem, other animals to control include skunks, raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits. There are many products available that help keep these animals at least out of unwanted spaces such as under sheds, in crawl spaces, etc.!
Coyote Urine
Coyote urine is a very effective preventative when it comes to unwanted animals – Most “pest” animals can be kept in control by the presence of predators. Coyote urine makes it seem like a dangerous predator is nearby, causing the pest animals to move on to another area.
I highly recommend Lakota Naturals Coyote Urine – This company is operated by a family member, and they have put a lot of thought and research into their products. Their coyote urine is sourced from humanely raised coyotes, and it is always fresh and effective.
To use, simply spray around fences, garden beds, outbuildings, or anywhere unwanted animals become a problem. Note, the product must be reapplied after every rain and is recommended to be reapplied every 7 days for best results.
Essential Oil Mouse Repellent
While coyote urine is very effective outdoors, the strong smell is not overly pleasant. In indoor areas such as barns, attics and crawl spaces, and storage closets, you probably want something a little more people-friendly.
Also available from Lakota Naturals are Mouse Repellent Pouches – These essential-oil based pouches have a strong herbal scent that keeps mice away while freshening the air.
To use, simply spray around fences, garden beds, outbuildings, or anywhere unwanted animals become a problem. Note, the product must be reapplied after every rain and is recommended to be reapplied every 7 days for best results.
Japanese Beetle Control & Prevention
Of all the pests that cause problems in our area, Japanese beetles are probably the worst. Even though they really are only present for a month or so out of the year, the damage they do in that time is formidable and at times devastating, especially with younger seedlings – Birch trees seem to be especially vulnerable, but they feed on quite a few other plants as well.
A multi-factored approach is likely the best when it comes to control of Japanese beetles. Though I try to keep pesticide use to a minimum in our landscape, I will occasionally use a knock-down spray of Sevin liquid insecticide – This is now cypermethrin, a synthesized pyrethroid. While it does kill beneficial insects, it works well against Japanese beetles and is reasonably safe for humans.
I prefer to use a three-part approach to Japanese Beetles – Firstly, an annual turf application of milky spore and predatory nematodes. Then, I do set up a trap every year from the first Japanese beetle sighting. Finally, when the damage is beginning to justify it, I will use a selective spray of Sevin as a last resort.
Milky Spore Grub Control – Granules
Milky spore is one of two turf applications I have found effective for controlling Japanese beetle grubs. Milky spore is a bacteria, Paenibacillus popilliae, which selectively infects the grubs of Japanese Beetles. It does not harm any other beneficial insects, and builds up a population in the soil over time with repeated application.
While it is expensive, if you have a serious japanese beetle problem like I did when I first purchased my house, it is definitely worth it. One 15-pound bag treats about 1/8 acre, and bags run around $50 typically.
NemaSeek Beneficial Nematodes
Beneficial nematodes are a highly effective biological control for Japanese beetles. If you want to really knock back populations, beneficial nematodes work synergistically with Milky Spore to spread the bacteria throughout the soil. The nematodes can be used on their own to good effect though.
I have always used NemaSeek benficial nematodes from Arbico Organics – Treating an acre costs less than $100 per application at time of writing, making it much more economical than using Milky Spore. Arbico recommends two applications within 7-10 days apart, in the spring or fall when grubs are most active.
Please note – The following link is NOT an affiliate link, we do not currently have an affiliate relationship with Arbico Organics.
Japanese Beetle Traps
While some people debate the effectiveness of trapping for Japanese beetle control, I find that we trap enough every year to make it worth the investment of less than $20. I have always used the Spectracide Bag-A-Bug Japanese Beetle Traps – The kit comes with the lure plus two bags which I usually find plenty unless the year is particularly bad.
The setup of the trap is simple enough – You peel the cover off of the lure, attach the bag, and hang it in an open area ideally downwind of your garden to avoid attracting Japanese beetles to your plants. The traps last the whole season, which is usually July-August for us in Indiana.
Insecticide Sprays
When all else fails and your plants are in danger of serious damage from Japanese beetles, you may find that a careful application of an insecticide is necessary. I usually find that the main plants that need to be sprayed in our garden are our apple trees and our young birch saplings – Older trees are usually tall and large enough that the damage isn’t a problem.
I have always used Sevin insect killer – The active ingredient in the liquid concentrate has been changed from Carbaryl to Cypermethrin, a much safer yet effective chemical. It is basically a synthesized analog of pyrethrin, an insecticidal chemical extracted from Chrysanthemum flowers.
When using any kind of chemical pesticide, it is extremely important to follow the label, and in many cases it is required by law to follow the label. Make sure to mix the chemical at the ratio specified on the label and apply at the rate specified.