We've said it before, and we'll say it again, "when it comes to pests in your garden, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." In many cases, by the time these damaging critters show their faces, it's too late. In other cases, it can become an ongoing battle that just never seems to end. Rather than waiting for that to happen, give these 5 products a shot to keep pests at bay before they have a chance to do any damage. All of them are made from naturally occurring ingredients.

Safer Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) provides pest control against a number of crawling insects, including ants, earwigs, cockroaches, silverfish, crickets, fleas, millipedes and centipedes. This ready-to-use powder-like insecticide can be applied on top of your soil or in cracks and crevices where insects hide. Once insects come in contact with this powder, it immediately goes to work to completely kill them within 48 hours. D.E. is made up of the fossilized particles of microscopic creatures called diatoms. These fossil shards feel soft and powdery to us, but to insects (and spiders and centipedes) they're a death sentence. These particles work their way into the insect's exoskeleton and puncture through to the inside, causing the creature to die of dehydration.

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Dyna-Gro Pure Neem Oil

Pure, organic, cold pressed Neem Oil comes directly from the seeds of Indian neem tree and contains a natural compound called azadirachtin. Once consumed by many insects, azadirachtin disrupts their desire to feed. When they stop eating, they stop growing which prevents larval bugs from reaching their adult forms.

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SPO Smite

Smite is made from natural plant oils for the control of spider mite infestations. It's extremely effective and kills naturally on contact. It contains oils produced by cold-pressed extraction of naturally grown Geranium, Peppermint, Cottonseed, and Rosemary. Under warm conditions, Smite will naturally biodegrade, leaving minimal residue. Spray the tops and bottoms of the plants for best effect.

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Mammoth Bio Control

Made from a specialized blend of targeted thyme compounds, Mammoth Bio Control repels and suffocates mites and thrips. Bio Control is an all-Natural EPA-exempt plant-derived preventative bio-insecticide with safe application throughout vegetative growth.

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Summit Mosquito (Fungus Gnat) Bits

Damp soil in pots and other growing environments can be a breeding ground for both mosquitos and fungus gnats. Mosquito bits quickly annihilate the larval population of these irritating pests. Corn cob granules coated in BTI can be added to standing water, placed in a micron bag within a reservoir, sprinkled on the soil's surface or mixed with potting soil prior to planting to kill fungus gnat and mosquito larvae.

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