Guide to Organic Garden Pest Control in the North

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Garden pests have no problem taking advantage of Maine’s short growing season. They emerge starting in late spring to lay their eggs, hatch into nymphs and continue their lifecycle all while feeding on our gardens. There are lots of ways to keep garden pests under control organically through prevention and with a little patience and work.

How to Control Slugs Organically

Slugs are common garden pests here in Maine and in other parts of the country. They slither their way in during the dead of night and chew through the leaves of our plants. So what are we as organic gardeners to do?

We take a stand and make our own slug traps; organically. Learning to make your own slug traps is pretty easy, takes a matter of minutes and most supplies are already around the home. Here’s what you need and what to do.

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Guide to Identifying and Controlling Cucumber Beetles Organically

Not only do cucumber beetles live in Maine’s organic vegetables gardens, they thrive throughout the entire U.S. and most of Canada. These pests eat through leaves in fruits as adults and borrow their way into the base of plant stems and then eat away at roots at the larval stage, often killing young plants. There are 4 ways to control cucumber beetles organically before, during and after the growing season.

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Guide to Identifying and Controlling Japanese Beetles Organically

Japanese beetles are destructive garden pests that leave behind a wake of damaged and dying plants. They thrive in Maine and the rest of the northeast making their first appearances in July. There are 5 ways to keep these pests under control organically, bringing gardeners 1 step closer to a healthy and more productive garden.

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Guide to Identifying and Controlling Squash Bugs Organically

Squash bugs, commonly called “stink bugs,” are known to some for the odor they emit after being squished. Gardeners know that there’s more to these garden pests than their smell; they invade vegetable gardens and make themselves at home as they chew on plant stems and suck on their juice. Preparation is key to controlling these guys organically, which can be done 7 different ways.

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Guide to Identifying and Controlling Imported Cabbageworms Organically

Cabbageworms (imported) are found throughout the U.S. and Canada. After invading the garden and chewing through the leaves of plants, they leave behind large holes and piles of dark droppings called frass; 2 telltale signs the garden pests have arrived. Fortunately for gardeners, there are 6 ways to control imported cabbageworms organically.

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Guide to Identifying and Controlling Aphids Organically

Aphids maybe small, but don’t let their size fool you. These garden pests are known to wreak havoc in gardens throughout North America leaving behind damaged plants from root to tip. The good news, there are 5 ways to control aphids organically.

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