Trap Crops: A Natural Way to Control Insect Pests
What are Trap Crops?
Trap crops are plants that are planted to lure pests away from your main crops. They act like decoys, attracting the pests and keeping them away from the plants you want to protect. Once the pests have gathered on the trap crops, you can treat or destroy them to eliminate the problem.
Benefits of Using Trap Crops:
- Reduces the need for pesticides
- Protects beneficial insects
- Can be used in both large and small gardens
- Easy to implement
How to Use Trap Crops:
There are two main ways to use trap crops:
- Same species: Plant decoy plants of the same species as your main crop. Plant them earlier than the main crop so that they are ready to attract pests when they arrive. Once the pests have arrived, treat or destroy the decoy plants.
- Different species: Plant decoy plants of a different species that is more attractive to the pests than your main crop. For example, sunflowers are very attractive to stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs. Plant sunflowers early so that they bloom in time to intercept the bugs’ migration. Once the pests have arrived, use your preferred method of elimination.
Decoy Trap Plants for Common Pests:
Here is a list of decoy trap plants that are effective against common garden pests:
- Tomato hornworms: Dill
- Squash bugs: Millet
- Cucumber beetles: Amaranth
- Corn earworms: Sorghum
- Flea beetles, harlequin bugs, cabbage maggots: Radishes
- Cabbage worms: Collards
- Aphids: Nasturtiums
- Stink bugs: Sunflowers
- Tomato aphids: Okra
- Japanese beetles: Zinnias
- Harlequin bugs: Mustard
- Root nematodes: Marigolds
- Colorado potato beetles: Eggplant
Other Plants for Pest Repellent:
In addition to decoy trap plants, there are other plants that can be used to repel insects. Here are a few examples:
- Aphids: Chives
- Tomato hornworms: Basil
- Asparagus beetles: Tomatoes
- Cabbage moths: Marigolds
Conclusion:
Trap crops are a natural and effective way to control insect pests in your garden. By using decoy plants, you can lure pests away from your main crops and reduce the need for pesticides. This is a great option for organic gardeners and anyone who wants to reduce their reliance on chemicals.
