Common garden pests and natural ways to keep them at bay
Gardens are a wonderful way to connect with nature and create a tranquil outdoor space to relax, socialise or play in. However, with beautiful plants comes the challenge of pests that can damage or destroy the garden. There's no need to worry because there are several natural remedies that can help you protect your garden from these intruders without harming them or the environment. We’ve put together some handy tips and solutions to keep pests at bay so you can keep your garden flourishing over the next few months.
Aphids
Aphids can harm plants by sucking their sap, but natural remedies like soap solutions, essential oils, or companion planting can deter them. Soap solutions suffocate aphids, essential oils repel them, and companion planting attracts beneficial insects that prey on them. Using these remedies can protect your plants without resorting to harmful chemicals.
Lily Beetles
Lily beetles are a common and significant threat to plants and are easily identifiable by their bright red colour. They can cause severe damage to the foliage, buds, and flowers of lily plants.
There are several natural solutions to combat lily beetles. One is to use a soapy water spray to remove the beetles from the plants. This solution is particularly effective when used on young plants, as it helps to prevent the beetles from laying their eggs on the foliage.
Another is a garlic solution made by steeping crushed garlic in water for several hours and then spraying the resulting solution onto the lily plants. The strong odour of garlic is believed to repel the beetles, preventing them from feeding on the foliage.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects that can cause significant damage to indoor plants. They feed on the sap of the plants, and if left untreated, can cause stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and leaf drop. If you notice any signs of infestation like white mould or webbing, isolate the infected plant to prevent the mealybugs from spreading to other plants. Prune the affected parts with a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove the bugs from the plant's nooks and crannies. Natural predators like ladybirds or lacewings will feast on the mealybugs, reducing their population and preventing further infestations.
Snails and Slugs
If you notice snails and slugs invading your garden after rainfall, there are several natural deterrents you can use to keep them away.
One option is to use coffee grounds, which can be spread around the base of your plants as snails will avoid crossing over it. Copper tape is another effective deterrent, as slugs receive a small electric shock when they touch it, but it doesn't harm the creatures in any way.
Another solution is to crush up eggshells and sprinkle them around the areas where you want to protect your plants which will deter the slugs from crawling over them with their sharp edges.
Vine Weevil
Vine weevils are a type of beetle that can cause significant damage to plants, particularly to their foliage and roots. These pests are known for feeding on the leaves of plants and burrowing into the soil to lay their eggs.
To prevent damage, one method is manual removal, which involves physically removing the beetles by hand and disposing of them. Another approach is to encourage natural predators such as birds, toads, and ground beetles. Creating water barriers around plants can also be effective, as vine weevils are unable to swim and will avoid waterlogged areas.
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