Indeed, I have some trouble with pests, especially with the guava tree, but I've been using the technique of covering the young fruits in clothing bags so that pests can't access them, and it' has been effective so far. Needs a bit of work, but it's cheap and doesn't need using any chemicals. Sometimes, a naughty possum comes and takes something away, but it's not so frequent, so I let them take their share lol. I once planted a broccoli that was growing so big and nice-looking, but had it suddenly disappear, eaten by a group of caterpillars.

But I simply avoid the things that attracted pests and favor the ones that grow without much need of maintenance, like acerola, cassava, some pumpkins, passion fruits, some wild grape-like fruits, and so on. My backyard looks like an abandoned house with the wilds taking over, i admit, but well, I like it that way...