Pests in your plants? Try these home remedies
Plants are super vulnerable to pest infestation that can stunt their growth and nourishment. Although insecticides work well in treating this situation, they aren't too great for the long-term health of your green friends as they are loaded with harmful chemicals. So wondering what to do? Well, you can try these natural and home remedies to keep your plants safe from pests.
Vegetable oil
Vegetable oil works as a natural insecticide that can treat pests like aphids, whiteflies, mites, beetles, and thrips. Take one cup of vegetable oil and add one tablespoon of mild soap. Now take two tablespoons of this solution and add them to about one liter of water. Mix and transfer the mixture to a spray bottle. Spray it on the affected plants
Neem
A plant that can help all other plants? Well, yes! Neem can be used to tackle pests and diseases as they are packed with azadirachtin, a compound that repels insects. It also inhibits their growth, reproduction, feeding, and metamorphosis. Just boil some neem leaves in water, cool the solution down, transfer it to a bottle, and spray. Use it once or twice a week.
Lavender
Did you know that lavender can effectively shoo away flies, moths, fungus gnats, and beetles? Well, now that you know, you can easily prepare a lavender spray at home to keep your plants safe and healthy. For this to work, simply add six tablespoons of water and 10 drops of lavender oil. Mix it, pour it into a bottle, and spray.
Cinnamon
If your plant has been attacked by aphids, mosquito larvae, mealybugs, earwigs, scale insects, or silverfish, cinnamon is what you should get your hands on. This popular kitchen spice is anti-fungal and features a strong aroma that drives insects away. You can sprinkle some cinnamon powder directly on the affected plant. Otherwise, you can pour a few drops of cinnamon oil too.
Garlic
Garlic harbors a strong smell that keeps various insects like bugs, caterpillars, moles, gophers, and voles away. Make a spray by blending two bulbs of garlic in a cup of water, strain the solution, and add then add two tablespoons of liquid soap. Once done, spray this mixture on the plants to keep insects and fungus at bay.
