Preventing pests in your yard and garden

There are many resources available for identifying and solving pest problems along with recommendations for controlling or treating pests starting with the lowest risk options first.

University of Minnesota Extension Yard and Garden educators have created excellent step-by-step guides to help identify and diagnose commonly found insects, weeds, plant diseases and wildlife pests along with recommendations for prevention or control.

• Extension Master Gardener program - Use the Ask a Master Gardener form for quick, local answers to your gardening questions.
• Yard and Garden News 
• Farm Information Line 
• Practical Pest Prevention for Minnesota Schools 
• Tips for a Mosquito-Free Yard 
• The National Pesticide Information Center has many pest-specific recommendations.

Helpful apps

There are many helpful online or smart device apps available for identifying plants, insects, and plant diseases.

• Purdue Plant Doctor App Suite – Apple and Android (trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, tomatoes, and turf)
• iNaturalist (insects and plants)
• Picture This (plant ID)
• Leaf Snap (plant ID)
• Garden Answers (plant ID and pests and diseases)

Many insects inside of buildings are harmless, but they can be a nuisance. Often they find their way inside to find food, to build a nest, or to get out of extreme weather. To keep garden pests outside:

• Check and seal cracks around foundations, windows, and doors.
• Caulk around areas where electrical cables, phone and internet cables, and air conditioning units come into the buildings.
• Remove firewood stacked near structures that can attract insects and wildlife.
• Discard expired grain-based foods such as cereal, rice, flour products, pet foods, bird foods and vacuum up spills.
• Vacuum or sweep up nuisance insects.
• Dehumidify or provide air circulation to damp areas that attract insects that like moisture.
• Replace rotting wood and check for leaks.

Learn how to identify and treat common Minnesota insects and other invertebrate pests that infest homes.

Not all plant damage is a result of insects. Sometimes other animals, wind, and hail can damage plants in Minnesota. Trees can sometimes be planted too deeply, and extreme temperatures or moisture issues can mimic plant diseases.

Before purchasing or using a chemical product learn if one is needed, or if preventive measures will work.

• Is the damage from an actual pest, or is there a different cause?
• Once a pest is correctly identified, can it be removed by hand or tolerated?
• Consider using non-chemical methods available such as covering plants with shade cloth to prevent chewing insects or adding sticky traps in fruit trees.
• Remove dropped and decaying fruits that attract wasps and bees.

Learn how to identify and treat common Minnesota insects and other invertebrate pests that infest yards and gardens.

Landscape ponds, bird baths, kiddy pools, clogged gutters, and other spots where water collects, are mosquitos’ favorite breeding places.

• Dump out containers and objects that hold water.
• Refresh small ponds, pools, or bird baths with fresh water on a weekly basis.
• For larger water features, consider using products on the market that are sold as mosquito dunks, pellets or briquettes that kill or inhibit the growth of mosquito larvae.

• Select disease-resistant plant varieties.
• Allow for air circulation by spacing plants apart.
• Water only when needed and not with overhead methods when possible.

We list many common plant diseases and their remedies on this site.

In the garden 

• Prevent weeds from going to seed by removing them by hand or with a weeding tool. Make sure to remove the roots as well.
• Remove all plant debris. Some roots and plant stems that are left behind can re-root and produce more plants.
• Use mulch or other weed barriers to help prevent weeds from sprouting.

Learn more about controlling weeds in gardens.

In the lawn

• Keep your lawn healthy. A lush healthy lawn will help block weed seeds from germinating.
• Set mowing height between 3- 4 inches. Mowing too short will allow weeds to germinate easier.
• Remove weeds before they go to seed which happens right after flowering.

Learn more about taking care of your lawn.

In the home

• Check and seal cracks around foundations, windows, and doors.
• Caulk around areas where electrical cables, phone and internet cables, and air conditioning units come into the buildings.
• Inspect and repair chimney caps and roof and dryer vents.
• Keep food sources such as pet food in airtight containers.

In the landscape

• Plant pest-resistant flowers and shrubs.
• Remove brush piles that provide breeding habitat.
• Use non-toxic repellents on flowers, and ornamentals if needed.
• Install fencing around vegetables.

Learn more about managing wildlife around your home.

• Follow label directions and only apply products on allowable sites.
• If an antimicrobial or germ-killing product is to be used on food preparation surfaces the label needs to indicate if the product is safe for food contact surfaces.
• Purchase pesticides locally or from reputable vendors. Caution: Online products may be highly toxic and not legal to use in our state.
• Purchase only the amount needed for a season.

Reading labels is a big deal, and it is important to learn about the safest way to use the product. Before using pesticides, always read and follow the product label directions carefully.

What’s on a label

• Ingredient statements: This section lists what chemicals are in the product. The active ingredients control the pest and inert ingredients may be fillers, solvents, fragrances, etc.
• Signal word: The signal word indicates the short-term toxicity of the product. The signal word on most over-the-counter pesticides is “Caution,” which means the product is slightly toxic. Pesticide products may also have the signal words “Warning” (moderately toxic), or “Danger” (highly toxic).
• Directions for use: Directions for use describe how a product can legally be used including where it can be applied and at what rates. Directions may also include weather restrictions and measures to reduce spray drift.
• Precautionary statements: This part of the label explains how a product can be used safely and whether it is hazardous to people or pets.
• First-aid information: This section describes what to do if someone is accidentally exposed to the pesticide and provides emergency contact information.
• Environmental hazards: This section notes potential risks to the environment, including risks to wildlife, fish, pollinators, and water. Some labels may contain statements about how to protect bees in this section or in a “Bee Advisory” box.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) information: PPE may include gloves, eye protection, or other equipment to prevent exposure to the pesticide.
• Disposal and storage information: Directions for the safe storage and disposal of unused products. Check your local waste disposal and recycling center to find out about their hazardous waste collection programs.
• Contact information for the manufacturer: The name and address of the product manufacturer must appear on pesticide labels.
• EPA registration number: This number confirms that the product and its label were reviewed and approved by EPA

More information about the specific toxicity of pesticides can be found on the National Pesticide Information Center website.

A recipe found online may not be safe or even effective to use. Many home remedies may initially seem to be effective, but the unintended consequences of using those products can end up causing more harm than good.

Risks associated with home remedies

• Ingredients in home remedies may not be safe to use around people, pets, or other living things.
• Without a label, there is no tested and researched guidance on the concentration or quantity to use, how frequently it can be used, what protective clothing may be needed, and environmental consequences.
• In the event of mixing or cooking home remedies, there may be a risk of the recipe creating toxic fumes or contaminating food preparation surfaces.
• Soaps can harm the protective coating on plants causing stress or decline in plants.
• Products such as vinegar and salt added to lawns or gardens may affect the pH of the soil or harm healthy microbes in the soil.
• Homemade pesticides used on food crops could break certain laws if sold to the public. Federal laws limit the type and amount of pesticide residues on foods that are sold.