How to Get Rid of 7 Common Lawn Pests

Cute or not, you likely don't appreciate stray animals hanging out in your yard. Make them go away with these simple DIY techniques.

1. Deer

The deer in your neighborhood seem to think you planted a garden just for them! To ensure that you actually get to eat the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor, hang some dryer sheets around your garden. The smell will keep the deer away.

2. Gophers

If your yard is infested with gophers (or you’ve seen Caddyshack) you know how hard it can be to get rid of them. Luckily, an old remedy from your grandmother can help: castor oil. Instead of drinking it, pour it into a spray bottle until it is one-third full, then add water until the bottle is full. Shake vigorously to mix, they spray over your lawn and in areas where the gophers hang out. If you find any gopher holes, saturate an old rag with the castor oil and stuff it into the hole. Gophers hate the smell and will stay away.

3. Moles

Moles are pretty cute, until they’re wreaking havoc on your yard. Use this all-natural solution to get rid of them: Just soak some old rags in olive oil, then stuff them in all the holes you can find. Moles hate the smell and will stay away.

4. Moths

Moths and grubs can be a big problem with garden plants like corn, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and other crops. To keep them from munching on your plants, make a molasses spray. In a spray bottle combine four cups of water, one tablespoon of molasses, and one teaspoon of dishwashing detergent. Spray this mixture all over the leaves of your plants weekly.

5. Crickets

Who knew crickets hate orange peels? Blend together the peels of several oranges with enough water to get your blender moving. Place in the refrigerator for a day, then spread where you often see crickets or around the foundation of your home.

6. Rabbits

If rabbits eat your garden year after year, try planting plants that repel them. These include amaryllis, bleeding hearts, daylilies, English ivy, ferns, forget-me-nots, foxglove, impatiens, and pachysandra. Rabbits also hate certain trees, such as cedar, magnolia, maple, oak, pine, and spruce.

7. Rats

If you’ve found rats or rat droppings in your backyard, your barbecue grill may be to blame. Rats love the smell of the grilled-on bits that often get stuck to grills, and will come snack on them, even if you think it’s impossible for an animal to get inside! The best way to keep them away is simply to keep your grill clean. When you’re done using it, place a large piece of aluminum foil over the entire top of your grill, then put the top back on and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. The caked-on mess from the burgers and hot dogs will turn to ash, making sure there’s nothing left to attract rats.

For more all-natural ways to get rid of pests, check out our Bug and Pest Natural Remedies board on Pinterest. And don't forget to follow us on Facebook for our Tip of the Day!

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.