One of the most common, least toxic substances on the planet can assist in keeping bugs at bay. But that substance, water, has to be used wisely in areas suffering from below average precipitation.

Time honored advice is always welcomed when it comes to protecting lawns, flowers, shrubs and trees from pests. With that in mind, an article written a few ago by Mark Shour of the Department of Entomology at Iowa State University still applies today. His tips on using water to help combat bugs are presented here but with a nod to water conservation.

The most obvious way that water helps protect plants is by keeping them healthy enough to resist pest attacks. Lack of moisture stresses plants, leaving them vulnerable. Of course, adequate irrigation has to be balanced with water availability so wise choices of trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables and turfgrass must be made in drier climes and times. And even if water is plentiful, Shour cautions against overwatering, which can encourage disease problems and weaken plants, again making them easier targets for pest damage.

A very effective use of water is to knock pests off of plants with a strong spray, taking care not to damage the plant. According to Shour, aphids dislodged with water from an ornamental plant generally fail to return to previous feeding sites. Spider mite populations can be decreased by regular, strong streams of water directed at where the mites are feeding. Some small caterpillars can be washed off a vegetable or ornamental plant with a carefully directed stream of water. Avoid water waste by directing the spray so that it ends up in the plants' soil or a surrounding lawn or garden.

Using water as an irritation can also produce good results. Shour advises to cut the bottom out of an empty coffee can and push it into the grass a few inches where the turf does not appear to be in good health. Fill the can with water and wait for the insects to float to the surface. Another of his strategies is to mix 1/4 cup dry detergent or 1 ounce of liquid detergent per gallon of water and pour the mixture over 1 square yard of turf to irritate bugs and drive them to the surface.

And don't forget to get rid of excess water that can encourage pest populations to flourish. Offending areas include leaky faucets and pipes. Fixing them not only helps rid a yard of pests it of course also conserves water.