Natural Ways to Keep Bugs From Eating Your Flowers

Plant Resistant and Native Species

• One of the best ways to keep insects from snacking on your flowers is to plant species or cultivars that don't interest them. For example, Japanese beetles, a common pest that attacks many ornamentals, does not feed on lantana, foxglove, begonia or hosta. Your local extension office can help you identify the worst flower pests in your area and select resistant species or cultivars to plant. Similarly, native plants typically resist pest damage better than introduced species. Because the plant and the pest have usually evolved side-by-side, native plants often demonstrate natural resistance allowing them to survive.

  Similarly, native plants typically resist pest damage better than introduced species. Because the plant and the pest have usually evolved side-by-side, native plants often demonstrate natural resistance that has allowed them to survive. (See References 3)

Encourage Beneficials

• All insects in your garden aren't bad. Most are neutral or beneficial. Beneficials prey or parasitize pest insects, keeping populations in check. Flowers naturally attract beneficials but extra care in selecting species increases beneficial populations even more. Beneficials need flowers providing them with nectar and pollen for food. Members of the daisy, mint and carrot families produce beautiful blooms that also provide food and habitats for beneficials.

Employ Traps and Physical Controls

• One of the easiest ways to keep bugs from devouring your favorite flowers is to remove the pests from the plants. Traps entice insects away from your flowers and prevent their escape. Yellow sticky cards attract aphids, a common pest of many ornamentals. Remove larger pests, such as caterpillars or beetles, by plucking these pests from your plants and dropping them into a bucket of warm soapy water. A jet of strong water from a garden hose dislodges aphids.

  You can remove larger pests, like caterpillars or beetles, by taking a daily stroll in your garden, plucking these pests from your plants and dropping them into a bucket of warm soapy water. A jet of strong water from a garden hose will dislodge aphids. (See References 5)

Use Natural Insecticides

• If a pest becomes so damaging that nonchemical controls don't lessen the problem, use natural or organic insecticides. Natural insecticides come from botanical or mineral sources. In some cases, farmers and gardeners have been using them for hundreds or thousands of years. Natural insecticides include sulfur and copper, insecticidal soap, horticultural oils, plant extracts and disease-causing organisms. Use the same care when using natural and organic insecticides as you do when using synthetic products. A product's natural origin doesn't guarantee it's safe for people, pets or wildlife.