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You work so hard to get your garden in order and they come along and destroy all of your progress. So to get back at them why not go out and buy the strongest insecticide poison that you can find? Not so fast, it will do so much more than just kill those insects you recently declared war on. It will kill the bugs that are helping to protect your garden by eating the bad guys, it will pollute your water and soil, and it's not so good for you either. Here are my tips for getting rid of the pests organically:
- Before you do anything about it, you have to know what you're fighting against. Do some research and find out what insects are eating your plants.
- Attract more of the beneficial insects to naturally protect your garden from the bad guys. You can do this by adjusting the pH level of the soil or changing the way that your garden is organized to allow for more sunlight. Some beneficial insects include beetles, lady beetles, and hover flies. Read 5 Ways to Attract Beneficial Insects To Your Garden.
- Biological insecticides are pest specific, meaning that they harm the bug that you're aiming for, not all the beneficial insects as well. They're living organisms (parasites, predators, and pathogens) or are the toxins produced by them. Biological pesticides have very little or no effect on beneficial insects, and are safe for the environment.
- Try this recipe for a natural insect repellent:
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp natural dishwashing soap
1/2 cup water
Shake the mixture well, add to a spray bottle, and spray the plants that are getting attacked.
Hankering for a home makeover? Manifest your green American Dream with tips from Planet Green TV's Greenovate.
