Handpicking
The most natural way to get rid of garden pests is to pick them off your plants by hand. This method is effective for larger pests like snails and slugs.
If you don’t fancy picking the snails and slugs, you can try stopping them from reaching your plants in the first place:
- Place beer in a jar and they will enter the jar and drown.
- Place crushed eggshells on the soil around your plants.
- Sprinkle coffee grounds around the base of tender plants. The abrasiveness of the grounds coupled with the acidity creates a barrier.
Beneficial insects
You can attract beneficial insects like ladybirds and praying mantis to your garden. They help control pest populations by eating aphids and other insects that feed on plants. Plants that attract 'good pests'
Companion planting
Companion planting involves planting certain plants together to help deter pests.
- Plant marigolds in and around your garden beds or veggie patch – insects hate the smell, and it will encourage them to stay away.
- Nasturtium flowers can repel a whole bunch of insects such as caterpillars, stink bugs, aphids, and white flies, so they make a great addition to your veggie patch.
Homemade sprays
- Make your own pest control spray using natural ingredients like garlic, hot peppers, and vinegar. These sprays work by repelling pests and can also be used to treat fungal infections on your plants.
- Add two tablespoons of soap flakes to one litre of water and stir thoroughly until completely dissolved (this is quicker in warm water). Spray on plants to get rid of aphids and caterpillars.
Invite more birds into your garden
Polenta
Sprinkling polenta/cornmeal around your plants helps if you have an ant infestation. The ants try to eat the granules, but they cannot digest it and starve.
By using these natural methods, you can effectively control pests in your garden without harming beneficial insects or the environment. It may take some trial and error to find the method that works best for your garden, but the results will be worth it.
And if these pesky pests have made it onto your indoor plants, here are a few things to try:
Banish common indoor plant pests
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