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Like a houseguest that has worn out his welcome, getting rid of backyard pests can be a challenge for many home gardeners. These pests include everything from weeds and diseases to some species of wildlife.

There is no need to call for reinforcements; a backyard pest invasion can easily be combated through proper treatment of the problem.

Identification of the problem is important in determining what type of pesticide to use. Insect damage can easily be confused with damage caused by plant diseases. Inspect the damaged section thoroughly. If no insects are present, logical reasoning concludes that damage is probably the cause of a disease or nutrient problem due to poor soil, over-watering, or under-watering.

Diseases are caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other organisms. Removing diseased material will help limit the spread of some diseases. Prune the dead or diseased branches of trees and shrubs, making sure to disinfect your pruners with a chlorine bleach solution between cuts to avoid spreading the disease to other plants.

Weeds are also another form of backyard pest that can easily be controlled. In addition to chemical sprays, hoeing, weeding, and mulching are the most effective methods for controlling weeds and should be done while plants (and their roots) are still small.

Jim Arnold, Vice President of Peachtree Pest Control, said �Fleas and fire ants are the worst we�ve seen in the Savannah area in the past five years. Mole crickets are also especially damaging to the centipede grass that is present in Savannah.�

Arnold stressed the importance of treating your lawn to not only control insects outside, but also prevent them from entering the home. �Ninety-nine percent of the time, household-pest problems start outside � that is why it is important to start with a lawn perimeter treatment, especially during this time of year.�

Because mosquitos carry diseases that can affect humans and other animals, it is especially important to make sure that you protect yourself and your home. Arnold recommends eliminating standing water sources from ditches and birdbaths around the home. �An amount as small as a bottle-cap size of water can be a breeding ground for mosquitos,� he said.

There are also certain insects labelled as beneficial (or predator) insects that can help to control the population of harmful insect pests in your yard. These good insects offer a safer, natural alternative to chemical pesticides.

Ladybugs, ground beetles, wasps, and praying mantises feed off of other insects. Ladybugs feed off mites and aphids found on the underside of leaves and stems. Aphids suck large amounts of sap from the veins of plants and flowers like roses and African violets. Ground beetles help control the presence of slugs, caterpillars, and grubs while wasps eat flies, fly larvae, and moths. Attracting birds through the use of bird feeders and bird houses will also help to control insect problems in your lawn and garden.

Certain types of plants can also help trap or repel insect pests. Garlic repels aphids, flea beetles, onion flies, ticks, and mosquitos. Basil will keep flies away and onions and mint plants will help to keep ants from entering your garden.

Loren Nancarrow, an Emmy-Award winning journalist and author relies on common household items to solve lawn and garden problems. In an interview with American Public Television, Nancarrow addressed the common pest problem with aphids killing roses. �One of the very simplest things is to take a banana peel after you eat a banana and throw it at the base of the rose; aphids will not stay on that plant,� he said. Another example is to use vinegar on weeds. �Pour straight white- wine vinegar or apple-cider vinegar in a little spray bottle. Simply mist the weeds with vinegar and they will die,� Nancarrow advised.

Certain oils can also be used to control insects that are harmful to plants, vegetables, and fruits in your garden. Diluted with water and applied as sprays, horticulture oils are usually refined petroleum oils that work by way of blocking the air holes through which insects breathe. When combined with baking soda, oils may also help control some forms of mildew on plants. Horticulture oils are especially useful in that they do not harm the beneficial insects in your garden. They pose few risks to people and other animals and leave little residue on plants.

Vegetable oils such as cottonseed or soybean can also be used as insecticides. Oils can be combined with other forms of spray pesticides to enhance their performance.

In addition to insects, certain species of wildlife can invade your backyard. �There is no deterrent for moles or raccoons, the most common yard pests,�said Rosemary Christensen, owner of Critter Control in Savannah.

�Don�t leave your garbage bins open or leave food such as cat or dog food in your yard � this will help to keep raccoons away,� she added. �You can tell if moles are in your yard because the ground will be softer and slightly raised,� said Christensen. Moles feed on worms and grubs in the soil. Trying to control wildlife in your backyard can be dangerous; contacting companies like Critter Control can trap these unwanted visitors for you.

Whether using a poison or natural alternative, one of the most important aspects of pest control is to correctly identify the problem in order to apply the best solution.

Karen Daiss can be reached at (912) 652-0227 or by email at karen.daiss@savannahnow.com.

Diatomaceous Earth: A non-toxic pesticide

Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic alternative to hazardous pesticides. Made up of the fossilized skeletons of freshwater organisms and marine life, diatomaceous earth is crushed into a fine powder and is deadly to insects but harmless to animals, humans, and food substances. The sharp, glass-like pieces scratch through the protective outer layer of most insects and are absorbed by the insect, whereupon it will quickly dry up and die.

Spread the powder onto the soil and you should see results in a few days. Keep in mind that diatomaceous earth is also harmful to beneficial insects such as ladybugs, honeybees, and earthworms. Do not spread the powder directly onto flowers or incorporate large quantities into the ground, and you can attempt to keep these beneficial insects in your yard.

Use diatomaceous earth in your garden four times per year using approximately 25 pounds per 1,500 square-feet.

In addition to garden protection, diatomaceous earth can be used to control fleas or lice by rubbing the powder into the coat of animals and dusting the litter or bedding area. It can also be used indoors to prevent insects like ants and cockroaches from entering the home by placing a small amount of the powder in the cracks and crevice of doors, windows, attics, etc.