There is absolutely no reason why anyone should spend over ten bucks getting rid of seasonal garden pests. Big business makes big dollars off of our collective ignorance, but nevermore! With the procurement of a few simple ingredients, environmentally sound pest control is achieved. Take a look at these ten handy hacks to gain and maintain the upper hand in the war against garden pests.
1. Mosquito Repellant
First off, protect yourself from pests. Mosquitoes are known for carrying a wide array of nasty illnesses, and those mass produced sprays do not smell or feel the best on the skin. For a homemade mosquito repellent, gather together a few essentials.
- 4oz spray bottle
- 2oz of distilled water
- 1oz of witch hazel
- 50 to 75 drops of essential oils
There are several different essential oils to choose from when deciding which oils to use. As one may expect, different oils have different effects and fight against certain pests. To relieve the skin of unwanted mosquito bites, utilize a mixture of tea tree oil and lavender.
2. Aphid Repellant
The second pest control remedy will relieve beautiful roses of their aphid nemeses. Aphids can quickly rob rose bushes of their rich color and regal aesthetic. To allay the invasion, use these household ingredients.
- 1qt spray bottle
- 1 tbsp. of canola oil
- 5 drops of Ivory soap
- Water
Fill the spray bottle with water. Add the canola oil and soap. Then shake the mixture vigorously. Spray the affected plants from the top and the bottom to assure full coverage. The oil and soap in the mixture will snuff out the aphids and do no harm to the surrounding environment. This will assure the roses (or other flowers) have plenty of pest-free room to bloom.
3. Nematode Repellant
Third, there is a simple solution to naturally negate those pesky nematodes. Nematodes live in the soil below the garden and feed on the roots of other plants. They are small, worm-like creatures, and they are not a friendly species to house.
The best way to repel these troublemakers naturally is by planting a thick section of marigolds in the affected area of the garden. The marigolds will snuff out the nematodes. Turn them under the soil and the next year it will be safe to plant whatever looks best in that area of land. The nematodes will be gone.
4. Ant Repellant
Finally, ants are one of the worst pests to battle throughout the year. Ants not only cause problems in the garden, but they invade our homes as well. This is simply unacceptable.
To fight off an array of insects such as ants, termites, and roaches, purchase a small container of boric acid powder. This ingredient will kill insects. It is absolutely harmless to humans and pets (unless you have an ant farm, of course). Here is a list of the components needed to complete this simple formula.
- 12oz container
- 2 tbsp. of boric acid
- 8oz of mint jelly
- Small cardboard squares
Mix these ingredients together in the chosen container. Place the mixture on top of the cardboard squares, and place them in the common path of the insects. When the ants walk through the mixture, the boric acid will stick to their legs. The affected ants will bring the powder back to the colony. Through grooming, the powder will spread, and the ants will die upon ingestion.
Household pets like cats and dogs should be fine around the remedy. Just make sure they do not intentionally ingest the substance. It will not kill the pets, but it will make them very uncomfortable for a few days depending on how much boric acid they ingest.
Featured photo credit: Mick Talbot via flickr.com
