15 Tips for Natural Pest Management + Organic Pest Control Strategy for Permaculture Gardens

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

I tried everything to get rid of slugs here in US zone 7b. The beer trap didn't work, as it only attracted small flies. The eggshells didn't work, as I've watched slugs crawl right over sharp rocks and shards of glass. Epsom salts kind of worked, but I had to dash it directly on them, which risked the salt burning my plant leaves. What finally worked was hand-to-hand combat, specifically picking them off, or spraying them with dish soap. Soap breaks down their protective coating and dries them out. I ended up with hundreds of dead slugs the next day. I only had to do this twice and they stopped coming.

[@michelletennyson8535]

I also live in zone 7b, right outside Birmingham, Al & needless to say we have no shortage of slugs/snails 🐌. I learned somewhere that Diatomaceous Earth would keep them away by just sprinkling it around the outside barrier of plants so I did that right after planting. I haven’t had a problem with them so far so it seems like it must’ve worked. I’m pretty sure it works the same way as dish soap by breaking down their coating & drying them out, bc that’s what it does to other insects. It’s also beneficial to plants, its all natural & non toxic so you could try that maybe? Good luck 🍀 😊

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

@@michelletennyson8535 I appreciate the suggestion, but what I've found about diatomaceous earth is that it only works because it forms a barrier of dry material, which gastropods do not like. The moment it gets wet, it's useless, and you end up having to apply more. The same goes for any other type of dry material, like powdered eggshells or sand. A direct application of Epsom salts will also kill slugs, but the usefulness of Epsom salts in the garden is debatable, and the dry salt can burn plant leaves if not washed off.

[@TheCrazeenana]

Thank you for the info.❤ I live in Florida 10b this is my second year of gardening first year I didn’t have frogs and the snails and slugs were bad. This year I have frogs in my garden I haven’t seen any slugs or snails😂 love nature

[@joanneamy1590]

I live in Northern NSW; my parents live 5 mins up the road from me. My mum is always complaining about slugs and snails, however at my place, I hardly see them. I realised it's because I have several Blue-tongued lizards on my property, which love to eat slugs and snails (as well as lots of other insects) - they'll also clean up some rotting tomatoes that have fallen from the vines. So when I'm tidying up the garden, I always make sure to leave little log/rock piles and old PVC pipes in shaded areas to encourage them to take shelter and stay in my yard.

[@GrandmaSandy]

You and your family have an awesome Easter today bye-bye for now hugs and kisses from grandma Sandy and Debbie

[@SustainableHolly]

Happy Easter Sandy and Debbie 🐣

[@theopenmindtherapist]

Another way of working with pests, is to plant when their breeding season is over. Spring puts incredible pressure on all plants as the whole insect kingdom wakes up. I try planting things I know get ravaged by flea beatle, say, when I know flea beatle is past...in UK it's around July. So plant early and harvest in May or plant late and harvest in August.

[@SustainableHolly]

Thanks Jenny that’s another really valuable strategy to use! I don’t grow brassicas at all over summer because the bugs are just not worth fighting 💚

[@anthonygunnell9819]

Really useful video. Thanks Holly! I have been attacked by caterpillars and as a noob had no idea what to do. Tried a spray from the shops but this almost killed my plants. I like your idea of mixed planting to make it harder for the pests. Will try that in the next round thanks!

[@shortbean1886]

The slug’s and snails 🐌 where we live are quiet bad the beer traps work brilliantly , I go to dan’s often and get clearance beer to use in the garden works great 👍

[@shortbean1886]

I also have a few ducks which don’t destroy my garden like chickens do and they love the slugs and snails 🐌

[@joshwasereyesterday]

Hi Holly new subscriber here from OZ! another tip I found out recently when my mint patch was being absolutely devoured was to go out at night with a UV torch. the Caterpillars almost glowed compared to the foliage. there are often way more hiding than you think!👍

[@SustainableHolly]

Yay welcome! Wow thanks so much for sharing that tip 🐛🌱

[@braden8155]

The natural way is the best way. I have started using eggshells and soapy water where necessary I have sprinkled some cinnamon around my seedlings. Way to go Holly. Thank you for all your tips which are much appreciated. Keep up the great work.

[@GrandmaSandy]

Another great video today always enjoy a good garden video full of great inspiration in conversation in tips

[@SustainableHolly]

Thank you! 🌱🌸🦋

[@ngairepowell2022]

I definitely noticed a lot of slaters when I had the shade cloth on my tomato and chilli's, I'm currently dealing with a white fly infestation on my radish seedlings and have been trying neem oil and water spray. I'm almost at the stage where I can start planting some seedlings in the garden but I'm so worried about pests. I don't have great biodiversity yet as it's a small garden and I'm just starting, I also don't have room to grow extras of things. So I'll see how things go, the barriers for slaters are a great idea and I'll definitely be trying that.

[@mmarrinan]

Your channel is going really well. Video quality has improved heaps too. Keep at it and you’ll blow up soon enough!

[@SustainableHolly]

Thank you I appreciate it! 🌱

[@sarahchambless3186]

Awesome video! Thanks so much!

[@SustainableHolly]

Thank you 🌿

[@WendyLadeh]

Loooove these tips!!! Have already started my jar of eggshells 👌🏽

[@SustainableHolly]

Yay this make me happy! 🌱🌱

[@craigmetcalfe1749]

Hey Holly! I feel like I am drinking from a hose, you just have so much info to share. I am willing to try beer traps but that is where I draw the line. Wine and Champers is such a waste!!!! But seriously, Polyculture (your example of not planting lettuce in a straight row...monoculture) is such a powerful context and when you think about it, is what happens in a food forest anyway. Let the seeds fall where they may. The main tricks I like to use can be categorized into scent masking, shape masking, and color masking. There are probably more but for some reason I can't get my pests to confess ;--) Cheers from the other side of Down Under!

[@SustainableHolly]

Thanks Craig! Oh no definitely not the bubbles 😳 or the rośe. Haha if only they would 🤣

[@libbyrehn7184]

Love the egg shell tip Holly!!! Definitely implementing that one. I really loved the clip at the end of all the bees on your rosemary... I need more rosermary in my garden and was thinking the other day what winter plants I could plant to get the bees coming in winter. As I seem to get loads in summer on my plants, but obviously over winter I dont have as many flowers for them.. Such a helpful video! Thank you 😀👍

[@SustainableHolly]

Thanks Libby! Some of my favourites for winter are pansies, hollyhock, snap dragons and this year I’m planting sweet peas 🌸

[@traryvery8851]

I don’t know if it has been mentioned before but if you are in a warm climate try out perennial basil (Ocimum killmanscharicum x basilicum). It flowers almost continuously with purple flowers and is a bee magnet , growing into an approx 1.5 metre by 1.5 metre woody shrub, and it can be pruned quite hard in mild weather and will send out new leaves and flowers. So it is pretty tough and it copes well with full sun (more flowers) and heat so long as it gets a drink (I am in Adelaide so comparable weather with Perth). Mine gets some late afternoon shade. It does not produce seed but cuttings are easy to strike in warm weather. Not so good to eat though because Ocimum k is camphor basil and so it has a camphor resinous edge to the flavour. Totally worth it for the bees though and it is quite pretty. Flowering very happily at the moment and had flowers all last winter.

[@karenfourie2449]

Yay … can’t wait! Thank you. 🌸

[@SustainableHolly]

Yay thanks Karen 🐌🐌🐌

[@paigems14]

Any tips for bird damage? I have serious problems with black birds rolling out my seedlings. They can even move heavy rocks from around the plants. Short of netting everything entirely which I don't want to do it's really hard to find a solution . They are also ripping up all the mycelium from my wine cap mushroom inoculated areas. Slaters are another big problem so I'll try your tips. Thanks ☺️

[@165219]

Thanks Holly, some great tips I will be trying! I was thinking I’d love to see a video focusing on mulch if you are interested. I have just started using mulch but I think I have been overwatering or not using the right mulch. Would love to hear your insights!

[@SustainableHolly]

Thank you 💚 great suggestion! Will add it to the list 🙂

[@bobcow363]

I love that accent

[@SustainableHolly]

🥝

[@victoriajohnson3034]

So for the first time, my slugs don't drown! If i use salt or vinegar directly on them, they shed outer layer and crawl off! I have to coat eat one twice. I am now hand picking at night and soaking in vinegar water till they stop climbing out!

[@SLC09]

Thank you for the great tips! 🦋 Do you have problems with fruit fly larvae infesting your guavas? I'm grabbing some fruit trees this afternoon (here in Perth) and am considering a few guava trees! Your garden is so beautiful and you do a great job at teaching 🌻 - thanks again!

[@SustainableHolly]

Thank you 😊 no I haven’t personally but they are out there..Always make sure you pick up any fallen fruit. If they do become a problem I would have to Consider nets or produce bags 🤔 but so far no issues apart from the parrots 🦜😂

[@SLC09]

@@SustainableHolly - I'm so glad! 🙏 Knowing that, you've helped me decide to go for it! Hahaha those parrots will hopefully be distracted by my (unintentionally) sacrificial apple tree 🥲 Thanks so much! x

[@donnawiseman3686]

What is a natural treatment for rust, on my grapevine despite having three treatments with a commercial fungal treatment 🤔

[@joannedixon1977]

Very informative and so practical. Ps what was that cute lantern with holes in your garden to your left when you were speaking?

[@SustainableHolly]

Thank you 😊 those are solar lights! They make lots of patterns on the leaves. There’s a link in the description of this video to them 💡

[@robynstone4049]

How do I get rid of chilli trip. It's on my roses and now fruit trees also large grasshoppers or locusts devour my plants and fruit trees how can I deter them

[@SustainableHolly]

I would try a chilli and garlic water spray. Let it soak in the water a few days to brew then spray it on 🤞

[@alandeacon1988]

I didn't even know that woodlice (aka slaters) were pests! I thought they only ate dead wood.. silly me!

[@anthonyburdine1061]

WHAT IS A SLATER?

[@SustainableHolly]

I think they are also called woodlice 🤔

[@traryvery8851]

They are land living crustaceans and as Holly said they are also known as woodlice, sow bugs and pillbugs. They can damage seedlings but also feed on decaying organic matter (recyclers) so the suggested physical barriers and temporary removal of mulch to manage them is a good idea if they are being a nuisance.

[@barbarar2216]

caterpillars did a number on my plants this year, they are a lot harder to see than snails xD, but the ants? the ants are the worst, not because they damage the plants but because their huge cattle of bugs they protect. MY other great enemy is not a bug, it's fungal infections, I have a losing battle against them, i don't know if my place is too humid or if there are too many infected plants around that the bugs and birds bring back again ang again, but dam, fungi is a menace

[@SustainableHolly]

They are much more camouflaged than snails and one single caterpillar can do a lot of damage! Humidity is huge for fungus and disease. Try to promote airflow by trimming leaves and only watering at the base of the plant. It’s also a good idea to prune off infected sections and dispose to help get it under control. Promote healthy soil and feed your plants to help build their strength and resilience 💪💪💪

[@flower-uw1hm]

The egg shells, beer traps and snail pellets are not working. I do not put snail pellets directly onto the garden. I put snail pellets into containers so that the soil is not harmed by snail pellets. I am now trying different plants to deter snails - like rosemary, lavender, snapdragons, various members of the mint family, calendua and pyrethrum. I will not let the snails beat me. I will conquer the snails.

[@michellesotelo85]

I've never had success with egg shells/beer traps/pellets either, I've noticed that planting marigolds have helped

[@flower-uw1hm]

@@michellesotelo85 Marigolds have worked well for me on 2009 to keep the snails away from the carrot plants. I put Marigolds around 2 rows of carrots.

[@grindcorizer6818]

Eggshells prevent slugs? Sorry gal, you're sadly mistaken

[@amybamy9903]

Beer traps aren't necessarily a good idea! It can attract even more slugs and snails and is a bit of an outdated quick fix that will affect your garden negatively in the long run

[@EatHealthy_7]

Hi holly awesome information here I love how u explain things in detail happy gardening 🫡