The downside to gardening is always the pests that invade your growing space. Whether you're worried about snails, aphids, caterpillars, mealybugs or critters like squirrels and rabbits thwarting growth and nibbling what you're cultivating, there are natural ways to remedy these pest problems.

*Common Garden Pests

"Garden pests seem to make it their mission to undo all of our hard work," says Marjory Wildcraft, the founder and owner of The Grow Network, noting that signs of pests include wilted leaves, black spots, shriveled growth and bumps on fruits.

Be on the lookout for these garden foes: caterpillars that eat foliage, stems and stalks; mealybugs, which suck the sap and the life out of plants and cause them to develop moldy leaves; and slugs and snails, which prefer low-hanging plants with damp soil in shady areas and eat holes in plant leaves.

"You can prevent pests and diseases, which is much easier than getting rid of them. Look for seeds that are under the category of V, F, N and T," says Arthur Reeves, founder of garden publication Garden Troop. "The categories will help you identify which diseases and pests your plants are prone to."

He suggests getting rid of caterpillars by placing tinfoil or cardboard at the base of your plants and keeping the ground free from eggs and debris; wipe out mealybugs by rubbing stems, leaves and branches with cotton balls and alcohol.

Tackle a slug and snail problem by placing shallow dishes filled with beer. "Snails and slugs will be lured to the beer, will get drunk, and die," says Reeves.

*Natural Solutions

While you're trying to get rid of bugs in your garden, it can actually be a good idea to add certain bugs. For example, ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps and mantises can help you control pests by eating aphids and the eggs, mites and larvae of other insects.

Wildcraft recommends using natural garden insect repellents too, such as a neem oil and soap mixture, a garlic and water solution and a chili pepper solution, all of which can help wipe out pest larvae.

"They are also easy to use, cheap to make and contain no harmful chemicals," she says. Pest species and climate vary wildly depending on your location, so research your area and understand the enemy so that you can use the deterrent that'll be most effective for you."

Felix Cutrone, a diagnostician at Hicks Nurseries on Long Island, New York, advises keeping the garden free of weeds, since that's where insects hide.

"Eliminating weeds also allows for more spacing of plants which helps increase air-flow and lets more sunlight in," he says. "This in turn helps strengthen the plant and eliminates damp areas, which can foster insect populations."

If you need an organic insect spray, use the least toxic ones first. Cutrone says insecticidal soap, horticultural oil and spinosad work well as long as you follow the use and application instructions on the label.

*Critters

Wildlife, like squirrels, rabbits or moles, can be a nuisance to your garden too.

Alex Deckard of Critter Control, the nation's leading wildlife control company, says the most effective, long-lasting, nontoxic method to keep animal pests away from your garden is to build a critter-proof fence. But that can vary by pest animal.

For example, for rabbits, bury one inch of mesh about two inches deep and extend it one foot underground. The fence needs to be four feet above the ground with an electrical wire about six to eight inches from the top. To keep moles out of your garden, you'll need 24-inches of sheet metal or hardware cloth buried at least a foot deep, then bent at a 90-degree angle.

In the short term, putting used coffee grounds around the soil regularly can keep some critters away since many don't like the smell.

Don't ignore pests -- animal or insect -- if you want your garden to thrive.

"If pests aren't managed or poorly managed, your garden and plants' immune system will weaken," says Reeves, cautioning that "as a result, your plants will eventually wilt and die. You may also have problems growing new seeds and may end up wasting time, money and effort."