Few people know that there’s a natural, eco-friendly way to deal with those troublesome aphids, caterpillars, and slugs without using harsh chemicals that can cause more harm than good - biological pest control. By working with nature, rather than against it, you can keep your garden thriving without harming the environment, beneficial insects, or your own health.
What is Biological Pest Control?
Biological pest control means using natural predators, parasites, and other organisms to manage garden pests. Instead of chemical sprays, you’re encouraging nature’s own balance to take care of unwanted invaders. It’s like having a built-in, self-sustaining pest management system, without the nasty side effects!
Meet Your Garden’s Natural Helpers
1. Nematodes
Nematodes are microscopic eelworms that live in the soil and work as wonderful pest controllers. They seek out and infect soil-dwelling pests like slugs, vine weevils, and leatherjackets, helping to reduce their numbers naturally.
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How they work: Nematodes penetrate the pest’s body and release bacteria that stop them from feeding and reproducing.
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How to use them: Mix nematodes with water and apply them to moist soil. Best applied in spring and autumn when the soil temperature is warmer. At The Gardeners Co. we tend to use Ladybird Plantcare for our nematodes (more info below!)
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Great for: Slugs, weevils, cutworms, and other soil-dwelling larvae.
2. Ladybirds
Ladybirds are not just lovely to look at - they’re enthusiastic predators of aphids, whiteflies, and scale insects. A single ladybird can eat hundreds of aphids in a day!
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How to attract them: Grow plants like marigolds, dill, fennel, and nasturtiums to provide food and shelter.
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Where to find them: You can also buy ladybird larvae online and release them into your garden (see below section on ‘Buying In Pest Control’)
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Great for: Keeping aphids off roses, tomatoes, and other tender plants.
3. Lacewings
Lacewing larvae, often called "aphid lions," are most commonly known for eating aphids, but they also have an insatiable appetite for greenfly, red spider mite, whitefly eggs, mealybug, scale insect, thrips and caterpillars.
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How they work: These little hunters roam plant foliage in search of soft bodied insects.
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How to encourage them: Plant dill, coriander, and yarrow, or buy lacewing larvae and release them in your garden. (Info below on buying in natural predators!)
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Great for: Controlling aphids, whiteflies, and other tiny pests.
4. Birds
Many birds love feasting on caterpillars, slugs, snails, and other garden pests.
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How to attract them: Install bird feeders, birdbaths, and nest boxes to invite them in.
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Which birds help? Robins, blackbirds, blue tits, and thrushes are all excellent natural pest controllers.
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Great for: Keeping caterpillar numbers under control and reducing slug damage.
5. Hoverflies
Hoverflies may look like small wasps, but they’re completely harmless to humans. Their larvae, however, are deadly to aphids, consuming hundreds during their development.
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How to attract them: Grow nectar-rich flowers like daisies, marigolds, and alyssum.
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Bonus benefit: Adult hoverflies are great pollinators too!
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Great for: Reducing aphid populations naturally.
6. Frogs & Toads
If slugs are wreaking havoc in your growing space, a resident frog or toad could be your best friend!
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How to encourage them: Create a small pond or leave damp, shady spots in your garden.
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Great for: Natural slug and insect control.
Buying in Pest Control
A speedy method of getting some biological big-hitters into your garden or growing space is to buy them online. We recommend Ladybird Plantcare who offer a huge range of natural pest control solutions. Whether it’s aphids, slugs, caterpillars or any other pest that’s threatening to jeopardise your growing efforts, bringing in the right natural predator at the right time might just be the difference between a bountiful harvest and a disappointing one.
Why Choose Biological Pest Control?
Unlike chemical pesticides, biological pest control:
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Keeps your garden ecosystem balanced.
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Protects pollinators and beneficial insects.
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Prevents toxic chemicals from harming pets, wildlife, and soil health.
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Reduces the risk of pesticide resistance in pests.
Biological pest control is about working with nature, not against it. By welcoming helpful predators, encouraging biodiversity, and using eco-friendly methods, you can keep your garden thriving without resorting to harsh chemicals. So why not invite some ladybirds, lacewings, and toads into your garden and let nature do the hard work for you?
Having a hard time with slugs in the garden? Check out our guide on How To Manage Slugs In The Garden for some tips and ideas!