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Organic Pest Control Guide

7 min read · Updated May 2026 · 0 severe/high-priority pests tracked

Pests are part of gardening — but they don't have to ruin your harvest. Our database tracks the most common pests affecting Pacific Northwest gardens, with organic treatment options sourced from WSU Extension and Tilth Alliance research.

The Principles

  1. Prevention first. Healthy soil, proper spacing, and crop rotation eliminate most pest problems before they start.
  2. Identify correctly. Not every insect is a pest. Learn to recognize beneficial insects — ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps.
  3. Start gentle. Physical removal (hand-picking, water spray) before sprays. Then insecticidal soap. Then neem oil. Escalate slowly.
  4. Know when to give up. If a plant is over 30% damaged, remove it to prevent spread. Compost it hot or bag and trash it.

Top Pests in Our DatabasePNW-focused

Beneficial Insects You Want

🐞 Ladybugs

Eats: Aphids, mites, scale

Attract with: Dill, fennel, yarrow

🐞 Lacewings

Eats: Aphids, thrips, whiteflies

Attract with: Coreopsis, cosmos, sweet alyssum

🐞 Parasitic Wasps

Eats: Caterpillars, aphids

Attract with: Dill, cilantro, fennel flowers

🐞 Ground Beetles

Eats: Slugs, cutworms, cabbage maggots

Attract with: Mulch, ground cover, stones

See pest risks for each plant in your garden.

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