The Sweet Way Joanna Gaines Keeps Unwanted Bugs Out Of Her Garden

Joanna Gaines is known not just for the elegant homes and gardens she creates with her husband, Chip, on HGTV's Fixer Upper, but also for her own beautiful outdoor spaces. She has some help in protecting her favorite garden flowers, though. The Gaineses very cleverly made the chicken run for their daughter, Ella's, chickens encircle their flower gardens.

Chickens can be great at pest control in the garden. But they're also known for digging up and eating vegetables and other plants. By making a run that circles the outside of the garden but does not give the birds access to the garden itself, Gaines created a chicken "force field" to help fight off pesky grasshoppers  — without allowing the chickens access to her precious plants.

Chickens enjoy eating a variety of insects, from grasshoppers and crickets to slugs and even termites. They're not the only poultry that can be beneficial in the garden, either. Ducks and geese are also known for their ability to control slugs and snails. And the Gaines' turkeys also help out with patrolling the area for invading grasshoppers.

Chicken ownership isn't something you should go into on a whim. Chickens are social animals and need a flock of at least three to thrive. They also need a safe, roomy coop to live in, as well as a predator-proof run. Additionally, you need to make sure that you're even allowed to own chickens in your municipality. While backyard urban and suburban chickens have become relatively common, some cities still ban them or require special use permits. There may also be restrictions on how many chickens you can have and whether roosters are allowed. 

If, however, chickens are allowed in your area, and you have the time and means necessary to care for them, chickens can be excellent additions to your yard. In addition to their tasty eggs and pest control, they also help your garden by producing waste that can be composted and then used as garden fertilizer.

For those who live in areas where chickens aren't allowed or would be impractical, there are still plenty of steps you can take to responsibly deal with unwanted insects in your garden. One of the best ways to keep unwanted bugs out of your garden naturally and cheaply is to encourage beneficial insects, such as parasitic wasps and lacewings, to visit. Visits from chickadees and other wild birds can also benefit your yard by providing pest control.