How to Effectively Minimize Pests in Your Landscape
In 2026, we’re saying no to pests invading our gardens and landscapes. We’re here to share our best tips and tricks to keep pests at bay so you can have the best landscape this year. Let’s get started:
ANTS
Ants are common in and out of the house. The biggest issue with ants is that they leave behind a sticky, liquid substance which is commonly referred to as “honeydew.” This honeydew is a form of sugar, which means they can attract other pests simply by releasing this substance. Here are ways to deter ants from your garden:
If you can identify where the ant colony resides, simply pouring hot water over the anthill can eradicate the queen, which removes the colony altogether
Sprinkling cinnamon or cayenne pepper around your plants can help repel ants
Borax traps are effective and you can make your own mix at home!
GOPHERS
Gophers tend to be one of the biggest headaches for landscapes. They can absolutely destroy gardens and lawns alike—leaving you with empty harvests and gaping holes in no time. They can even obstruct irrigation lines and sprinklers with their never ending gnawing.
If you’re suspicious of gophers, act fast! Prevention is key to protecting your yard. Utilizing traps and establishing underground “fencing” are the most effective mediums to handling gopher infestations.
APHIDS
Aphids aren’t as huge a threat to your garden as they are annoying. And like ants, their problem stems from leaving trails of honeydew which, as we mentioned, can attract an array of other pests. They can be removed by spraying them with water or even crushing them with your own hands (maybe put some gloves on first!). Ants protect aphids from predators, so this is another reason to remove ants and aphids from your garden altogether!
caterpillars
This is a common garden friend. Caterpillars love munching on basically anything that they can get their mouths on—leaves, flowers, fruit, and so on. Most plants are still considered healthy if there is minimal damage, but take caution as they can begin to cause serious issues if they aren’t contained. Similar to aphids, you can just remove caterpillars on your own with some gloves on. You shouldn’t have trouble finding them since they leave traces of evidence; be aware that they sometimes like to hide within wood crevices and fruit.
rats
Rats are a nuisance in all ways possible. They are a prominent concern given that they contaminate anything they get their paws and teeth on as they can carry diseases and bacteria. Thankfully, you can safely and effectively eradicate rats from your garden in a toxic-free way. Here’s how:
Store pet food in a sealed, rodent-proof container
Make sure composting is done in a metal container with a flush lid
Clean up after your pet
Remove ivy growing along walls and trim bushes and shrubs so they have less space to successfully nest
Clean up molded fruit and fruit/nuts that have fallen to the ground