How to Stop Fall Pests from Overwintering

Garden insect pests are most active during spring and summer, but now that we are in the fall months these bad bugs can still wreak havoc though the growing seasoning is slowing down as winter approaches. Garden insect pests are still very active preparing to overwinter or to hide from the harsh winter frost and emerge once spring arrives. But what can we do in our gardens to ensure that these insects are dealt with and not become an issue once the growing season returns? Some steps can be taken to protect our garden plants while eliminating garden pests.

1. Tidy Up Your Garden

A garden that is well kept is not only beautiful but will encourage healthy plant growth, when a garden is cluttered and not properly maintained will encourage rodents and increase chances of disease and the presence of garden pests.  Insect pests will seek to overwinter in leaf litter and other plant debris therefore it’s important to rake up and remove all fallen leaves from garden plant beds. The leaves can be placed in your compost or even starting a compost pile.  Leaf removal will not only reduce insect pests hiding places where they seek to take shelter but if any eggs were laid will also be removed with debris cleanup. If leaves and other plant material are diseased or insect infested properly dispose of them, and don’t add them to your compost bin.

Weeds are another issue because weeds not only take away from a garden’s beauty but will compete with garden plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight, weeds are also known to be carriers of disease. Garden pests will use weeds as a harbourage to lay their eggs and to protect eggs from predators and the elements. Ensure that tall weeds are removed from in and around your garden.

All growth that is no longer producing or died back should be removed, diseased plant material can be pruned and placed in a sealed garbage bag and properly disposed of.

Leaves should be raked and removed from your lawn because leaves that are allowed to remain become matter because of extra moisture which can lead to disease. Once this happens your turf will become weak and stressed which will lead to more issues that can severely cause damage or setback and in some cases, your lawn might never recover.

2. Remove Food Sources

The removal of food sources from your garden will discourage the presence of insect species ( stink bugs, boxelder bugs) and rodents. Make sure and pick up any fallen fruits and properly dispose of them.

3. Tilling Your Garden Soil

Tilling your soil during the fall months and then again in late winter for the preparation of spring will interfere with or disrupt the life cycle of insects that pupate or overwinter in garden soil as adults. Some of these insects include grubs, squash bugs, cabbage moths, cabbage worms, cabbage loppers, cutworms, vine weevils, colorado potato beetles,  etc… Tilling the soil will also bring insects that inhabit the soil to the surface exposing them to predators and the winter chill causing elimination.

4. Clean Your Gutter

A gutter filled with leaves will not only restrict the proper flow of rainwater but will lead to moisture build-up that will encourage disease. Garden pests will also see this as a harbourage to overwinter so ensure your gutters are always cleaned.

5. Crop Rotation

While you may not be thinking of planting crops during this time of the year it is good to rotate crops the following growing season especially if there are issues with garden pests.

6. Create a Barrier

Creating a barrier around the premier of your yard not just your garden is a great way to deter garden pests for example rats, voles, and mice, this barrier protection will not only discourage pests from your yard and garden but from seeking an entry point into your home during winter time.

7. Give Your Compost Pile Some Attention

Garden pests will go as far as seeking shelter in your compost bin, if you want that added protection to ensure that your compost pile remains free of insect pests then here is what to do. Either spread your compost over the soil and garden borders or add hydrated lime that will cause bugs not to stick around a third option is to add some sawdust or dry soil to your compost. Keeping a good brown-green ratio or frequently turning your compost can also help to deter garden pests.

Additional information

To discourage the spread of disease when conducting pruning operations make sure that your hand pruner, lopper, pruning saw, and other pruning tools are sterilized before and after pruning procedures. A solution of water and bleach to clean the tool’s blades is sufficient.

Conclusion

The fall months are final here but our work is not done, there is still the task of maintaining our gardens from insect pests, they have not gone on break but are very active preparing for the winter months. Putting these steps in place will ensure that you have a garden free of insect pests and rodents so when spring returns your garden plants will get off to a great start as we once again welcome the warm season where we can again begin to grow our favorite crops or those prized flowering plants that make our gardens and landscapes look so amazing.