How to Protect Vegetables From Insects in the Garden

Overview

Insect infestation can devastate your garden, reducing yields and harming slow-growing plants that are more susceptible to diseases. Some cures for insect problems, like chemical insecticides, may be worse than the original problem because they kill beneficial insects and can harm animals and people. A combination of cultural methods and botanical insecticides can be effective at reducing insect problems without the dangers of chemical applications.

Cultural Methods

Step 1

Plant vegetables that are resistant to insect infestation. Beans, beets, cucumbers and squash are relatively insect-resistant, while potatoes, carrots, cabbage and broccoli all attract various pests.

Step 2

Follow a regular water and fertilizer schedule to keep plants strong. Healthy plants are more resistant to pests.

Step 3

Weed your garden well and regularly to minimize hiding places for insect pests and to prevent the weeds from competing with your vegetables for water and nutrients.

Step 4

Remove infested plants to prevent the pests from spreading to neighboring vegetable plants.

Step 5

Remove and destroy all plants after the harvest is finished.

Step 6

Attract insect predators by growing plants that feature small flowers, such as daisies, dill and coneflower. These plants will encourage predators of insects and beneficial insects including ladybugs, nematodes, bats and birds.

Physical and Chemical Methods

Step 1

Place traps around the outside of your garden. Pheromone traps attract insects during their mating cycles, and yellow sticky traps are effective against flying insects such as aphids, whiteflies and fungus gnats.

Step 2

Pick insects off your vegetables by hand or use a jet of water from your garden hose to dislodge them.

Step 3

Place insects in a bucket of soapy water to kill them after removal.

Step 4

Use Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria and beneficial nematodes, which can be found at garden centers, to kill insects in the garden.

Step 5

Spot spray insect-infested plants with plant-based insecticides like neem or pyrethrins as a last resort.