How to keep pests out of raised beds?
Raised beds inherently reduce some pest pressure by elevating plants above ground-dwelling insects and making it easier to install physical barriers. However, gardens still face threats from burrowing animals (gophers, moles, voles), browsing mammals (deer, rabbits, groundhogs), flying insects (aphids, cabbage moths, flea beetles), crawling pests (slugs, snails, cutworms), and birds. The most effective pest management combines physical barriers with cultural practices and targeted organic controls. Hardware cloth beneath beds stops burrowers, row covers and netting block flying pests, copper tape deters slugs, and tall fencing excludes deer. Companion planting and attracting beneficial predators provide additional layers of defense without chemical intervention. An integrated approach tailored to your specific pest pressures yields the best long-term results.
- Organic neem oil and insecticidal soap sprays4
Neem oil and insecticidal soap are the two most widely used organic sprays for soft-bodied insect control in food gardens. Neem oil (cold-pressed from neem tree seeds) contains azadirachtin, which disrupts insect feeding, growth, and reproduction. It is effective against aphids, whiteflies, spider…
📌 commercial2/7/2026, 9:58:35 PM
🛠️ Cold-pressed neem oil (100% pure), liquid castile soap, insecticidal soap concentrate or ready-to-use spray, pump sprayer (1-2 gallon), measuring spoons
- Bird netting for fruit and seed protection4
Bird netting prevents birds from eating ripening fruits (strawberries, tomatoes, blueberries), newly sown seeds, and young seedlings. Standard bird netting has 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch mesh openings that exclude most garden birds while allowing pollinators to pass through. Drape netting over PVC or…
📌 commercial2/7/2026, 9:58:25 PM
🛠️ Bird netting (1/2-inch or 3/4-inch mesh), hoops or frame (PVC pipe or wire), clips or stakes to secure, zip ties
- Diatomaceous earth for crawling insects3
Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural powder made from fossilized diatom shells that kills crawling insects (slugs, snails, earwigs, cutworms, ants, and flea beetles) through mechanical action: the microscopic sharp edges lacerate insect exoskeletons, causing dehydration within 24-48…
📌 DIY2/7/2026, 9:58:14 PM
🛠️ Food-grade diatomaceous earth, dust mask, bulb duster or shaker container for application, gloves
- Companion planting for natural pest deterrence3
Companion planting uses specific plant combinations to repel pests, attract beneficial predatory insects, or serve as trap crops that lure pests away from valued plants. This is a supplemental pest management strategy, not a standalone solution. Proven combinations include: marigolds (Tagetes…
📌 best practice2/7/2026, 9:58:06 PM
🛠️ Seeds or transplants of companion species (marigolds, basil, nasturtiums, dill, chives, sage, borage)
- Rabbit and groundhog exclusion with buried fencing4
Rabbits can squeeze through gaps as small as 3 inches, and groundhogs will dig under barriers that are not buried. Effective rabbit exclusion requires 1/4-inch hardware cloth or welded wire fencing extending at least 24-36 inches above ground, with an additional 6-12 inches buried underground bent…
📌 DIY2/7/2026, 9:57:59 PM
🛠️ 1/4-inch hardware cloth or welded wire fencing (36-inch width), fence posts or stakes, wire cutters/tin snips, zip ties or wire for joining panels, shovel for burying L-extension, work gloves
- Deer fencing (8-foot or double-fence barrier)4
Deer can devastate a garden overnight and are one of the most challenging pests to exclude because they can jump up to 8 feet high. The most reliable deer solution is a physical fence at least 8 feet tall around the garden perimeter. Use welded wire fencing, deer netting (polypropylene mesh), or…
📌 DIY2/7/2026, 9:57:50 PM
🛠️ 8-foot fencing posts and wire/netting, post driver or post hole digger, zip ties or fencing staples, gate hardware, or electric fence charger with polytape and insulators
- Iron phosphate slug and snail bait (Sluggo)5
Iron phosphate bait pellets (brand names: Sluggo, Slug Magic, Natria) are the safest and most effective chemical-free slug and snail control for food gardens. When slugs ingest the pellets, iron phosphate disrupts calcium metabolism in their gut, causing them to stop feeding immediately and die…
📌 commercial2/7/2026, 9:57:37 PM
🛠️ Iron phosphate bait pellets (Sluggo or equivalent OMRI-listed product)
- Copper tape barrier for slugs and snails3
Copper tape creates an effective perimeter barrier around raised beds that deters slugs and snails. When a slug's moist body contacts copper, it triggers a mild electric-like reaction caused by a chemical interaction between the copper and the slug's mucus, causing discomfort that makes the slug…
📌 commercial2/7/2026, 9:57:29 PM
🛠️ Adhesive-backed copper tape (2-3 inch width minimum), scissors, cleaning cloth and white vinegar for maintenance
- Hoop-supported insect netting and row covers5
Row covers and insect netting draped over hoops create a physical barrier against flying pests while allowing light, air, and water to pass through. This is the primary organic pest control method for brassicas, leafy greens, and root vegetables that attract cabbage moths, flea beetles, carrot…
📌 DIY2/7/2026, 9:57:21 PM
🛠️ Spun-bond row cover or fine mesh insect netting, hoops (1/2-inch PVC pipe, 9-gauge wire, or commercial hoop clips), clips or bricks to secure edges, zip ties (optional)
- Hardware cloth bottom for gophers, moles, and voles5
Installing hardware cloth (welded wire mesh) beneath a raised bed before filling with soil creates an impenetrable barrier against burrowing pests. Use 1/2-inch gauge galvanized hardware cloth for gophers and moles, or 1/4-inch gauge for voles (which can squeeze through larger openings). Cut the…
📌 DIY2/7/2026, 9:57:12 PM
🛠️ 1/2-inch or 1/4-inch galvanized hardware cloth (or stainless steel gopher wire), tin snips or wire cutters, galvanized staples and staple gun (or fender washers with screws), work gloves