Scale insects, aphids, caterpillars or spider mites are some of the unwanted pests that become embedded in your garden and invade your plants. These pests can ravage your plants and damage them. However, you can protect your plantations and overcome these predators, thanks to natural tricks. Find out how to eliminate garden pests.
Eliminating garden pests without resorting to insecticides is possible. For that, it is enough to adopt certain natural and effective tricks.
How to eliminate garden pests?
-
Eliminate aphids from garden plants
Yellow aphids – Source: spm
Aphids are the enemy of plants, especially roses. To detect the presence of these pests in your garden, simply observe the foliage of your plants. If it is infested, you will indeed notice that the leaves are either deformed or rolled up on themselves. Additionally, aphids secrete a sweet, sticky substance called honeydew. This substance attracts ants and fungi responsible for a cryptogamic disease called sooty mold.
To eliminate aphids on your plants, mix in a spray bottle 3 tablespoons of black soap with a liter of water. Spray the foliage with this solution, remembering the underside of the leaves , as this is where aphids hide. Repeat this operation for several days to overcome this infestation. You can also use coffee grounds which are a natural repellent. To do this, sprinkle it at the base of infested plants. Note that it must be dry, and remember to change it regularly, especially if it gets wet. Other natural products are also effective in controlling aphids, such as Marseille soap, garlic or even neem oil.
-
Eliminate scale insects from the garden
Cochineals – Source: spm
Like aphids, mealybugs are biting-sucking insects that feed on plant sap and secrete the honeydew responsible for sooty mold. The latter causes a black deposit that looks like soot covering the foliage of the plant and blocking photosynthesis. The plants most likely to be affected by scale insects are orchids, succulents or roses. To eliminate scale insects , you can use white vinegar. For this, mix in a spray bottle a cup of white vinegar with a liter of water and spray on the infected parts of your plant. Renew the operation until complete eradication of these parasites.
Another trick is to use nettle manure. To do this, simply spray this natural insecticide on the foliage of your plants.
-
Eliminate spider mites from the garden
Red spider – Source: spm
Red spider mites, also known as mites, are parasites that ravage plants in the garden, but also in the vegetable patch or orchard, during periods of heat and drought. A soil poor in humus and rich in nitrogen fertilizer can also promote the proliferation of these pests. The garden plants most affected by an infestation of mites are cyclamen, hydrangea or dahlias. Thus, in the event of an infestation, the foliage turns yellow and dries up.
To eliminate red spider mites, mix in a container a teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder, with a few drops of dishwashing liquid and a liter of warm water. Leave the mixture to stand overnight, and strain with a fine strainer. Transfer this preparation into a spray and spray on the foliage of your infested plant.
How to prevent the appearance of these pests in the garden?
-
Remove weeds from the garden
Weeds prevent your plants from taking full advantage of soil nutrients and light, but they also harbor pests. To remove weeds , there is no need to use chemicals. Baking soda is a natural weed killer that you can use for small areas. To do this, sprinkle a little of this all-purpose product on the places you want to weed, and sprinkle with water. Note that you can substitute baking soda with salt. For this, melt 200 g of salt in a liter of water and water your weeds with this natural solution.
-
Maintain the garden
It is important to eliminate faded flowers and dead leaves from your garden, in order to avoid the decomposition of these vegetable matter. This decomposition process creates a breeding ground for the proliferation of garden bugs, fungi and cryptogamic diseases.
-
Add beneficial insects to your garden
Insects are not all enemies of your plants. Some beneficial insects are effective in keeping away pests that ravage your garden, such as ladybugs. These feed on aphids, mites, larvae and eggs of many garden pests.
With these tips, you will protect your garden from pests that damage your plants.
