4 Natural Insect and Bug Repellents for your Vegetable Garden
Growing your own food is one of the most rewarding and invigorating practices for any human being. There are a number of pros and cons to this way of life, and yes, it is a way of life. Growing one’s own food becomes a lifestyle that requires constant attention, effort, work, time and energy. There are several different things you have to be looking out for, all at the same time, whilst attempting to grow your own food. Your vegetables and fruit are usually under some kind of constant attack or imbalance: the weather, balanced soil, weeds, and of course pests, bugs and insects.
We live in the information age where we now know, thankfully, that most of the off the shelf pest and bug repellents are jam packed full of harmful and nasty chemicals that have the potential to do us more harm than good. The chemical toxicity and the negative effects these have on our body and mind are more dangerous than the frustration of having insects and bugs feasting on your vegetables.
Here are 4 suggestions for “do it yourself” bug and insect repellents that are made of all natural ingredients and will not have any harmful side effects to humans:
- Neem Oil Spray: neem oil is a powerful insecticide, and renders amazing results without causing any toxicity to pets, birds, fish, humans and general wildlife. Neem oil is the oil extracted from the neem seed. This potent oil is able to disturb all phases of the insect life cycle, which makes it a huge asset to have in an organic garden.
- Garlic and Clove Spray: garlic and whole cloves are both well known for their intense smell and taste. When mixed together in high volumes they make for a highly powerful insecticide. To make this mixture: use 2 bulbs of garlic and 2 handfuls of whole cloves. Put them in a blender with some water and blend until the mixture is smooth. Let this stand overnight then sift the mixture through a muslin cloth (or old t shirt), collect the liquid and add some more water or dishwashing soap to that. Then add that to a spray bottle and use generously on your plants.
- Diatomaceous Earth: diatomaceous earth is a fine grey powder made up of sedimentary rock created by fossilized algae. It consists of tiny shards of this sedimentary sock which are sharp and abrasive to some infects and general pests. It works by cutting the exoskeleton of the pest that it comes into contact with. Any garden pest that has a waxy or slimy substance that comes into contact with this powder, then starts to dehydrate and eventually die. It is the kindest, most ethical way of controlling your garden bugs, and it certainly gets the job done so you have more time to spend at onlinepokiesnz.co.nz/.
- Soap and Vegetable Oil Spray: mixing some organic castile soap/dishwashing liquid with vegetable oil can have a huge impact on annoying little pests in the garden such as aphids, mites and thrips. Mix one cup of vegetable oil to 2 tablespoons of soap. Shake vigorously and spray on the affected plants.
A Christmas Gift for the Gardener Who Wants to Grow
The ideal Christmas present for the gardener in your life
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the gardener in your life? The GardenAdvice Gardening Course is an exciting and practical way to boost their gardening knowledge. This course offers hands-on advice from experts in your own garden, covering everything from soil health to sustainable gardening practices. It’s a thoughtful gift that helps them cultivate their love for gardening and take their skills to the next level. Whether they want to master growing vegetables, enhance flower beds, or learn new techniques for garden maintenance, the course provides a comprehensive guide to all things gardening. With the course taking place in their own garden at their own pace, it’s a gift that works around their busy schedule. This Christmas, give them the tools to grow – both in the garden and as a gardener!
