Preventing Fruit Garden Pests

Whether you have a few fruit plants, or have a full on fruit garden, you will need to keep an eye out for some potential problems. One of the more common problems that a fruit garden can face is pests. Preventing fruit garden pests is perhaps one of the best ways that you can take care of your fruit plants. Here are a few methods that you can use to ensure that you do a good job.

• Know your pests. One of the most basic methods for preventing fruit garden pests is to actually know the pests you may be facing. Depending on where you live, some of the more common types of pests that you could face are things like birds, squirrels, and the always popular insects. Do a bit of research on the various pests you could face in your region so that you know what you could be facing.
• Use some netting. Simply placing a bit of bird netting (such as 5/8 inch) around your fruit plants and trees. When you set this netting out, make sure that you set the netting out prior to the fruit ripening. This will help keep birds and even some fuzzy pests, from getting into the habit of going after your fruit.
• Remove old fruit. Make sure that you start harvesting the fruit as it ripens. This will help prevent any fruit from falling onto the ground and rotting, which will attract insects, birds, and even fuzzy critters. If you do miss any fruit, make sure that you pick it up as quickly as possible for the same reason.
• Use BB gun. If you find yourself having particular difficulty with birds or squirrels you may want to consider using a BB or pellet gun. However, before you begin using one of these make sure that you know whether or not it is legal in your area. A BB or pellet gun will take care of most pests, and is less likely to cause collateral damage if you miss.
• Firecrackers can work. In areas that you can't use a bb or pellet gun, or you don't want to harm one of the bigger pests, use a firecracker. The loud-ish sound will scare off most larger pests. Best of all you can have 4th of July fun all year round with this particular method.
• Pesticides. For most insects you can use things like commercial or natural pesticides. Commercial pesticides can be purchased at most local nurseries or gardening stores. Natural pesticides or insect repellents (such as vinegar) can be purchased in most grocery stores.

Keep in mind that these are only a few of the methods that you can use to help prevent fruit garden pests. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of other methods that you can use as well. The only real limits to what you can do for preventing fruit garden pests are how much you are willing to spend and your imagination. Just remember, you always have the option of calling in a professional exterminator to help prevent fruit garden pests.