Every gardener has to deal with annoying pests, but fortunately there are many ways to combat them. However, if you want to avoid chemical pesticides, this does not mean that the invaders can settle in your garden. However, not every natural method is suitable for every pest and it may be difficult to find the right one. An interesting and effective pest control agent is garlic. Here's how to use garlic against pests and which species it keeps away.
Garlic Against Pests: How to Use the Natural Pesticide in the Garden
Garlic is not only a versatile plant, but also a very effective and completely natural pest control agent according to numerous studies. When insects and other pests start to ravage the plants and flowers you've been growing for months, it's time to use garlic to protect your garden.
What pests can you get rid of with garlic?
Garlic can repel most flying or crawling insects. It has been found to be particularly effective against aphids, mites, caterpillars, beetles, slugs, mosquitoes and flies.
It doesn't kill pollinators, but it can deter them from coming over. Therefore, you should avoid applying it directly to the flowers of the plants to avoid disturbing the beneficial insects.
Make natural pesticide from garlic
Garlic can be used to combat pests in a variety of ways, but the most common method is to make a garlic spray.
What do you need:
- 2-3 garlic bulbs
- 1 liter of water
- Cheesecloth
- Glass jar
Production:
- Start by separating the cloves, but do not peel them.
- Put them in a food processor, add 250ml water and chop well.
- When they are well chopped, add the remaining water and transfer the mixture to a blender to puree until completely liquid.
- Filter the mixture through cheesecloth to catch any pieces of garlic and pour the solution into a glass jar.
Use pest control solution by diluting one part with 10 parts water and pouring it into a spray bottle.
If you want to increase the effectiveness of this mixture, you can also add additional home remedies such as neem oil, mint, dish soap or chili.
First test the spray on a small part of your affected plant and let it work for 24 hours. If there are no signs of damage such as yellowed or brown leaves, you can treat the entire plant. Spray the leaves and stems and repeat the process every two weeks.
Garlic against pests as a companion plant
Another way to use garlic against pests is to grow it as a companion plant for other fruits and vegetables. And the best part is that not only does it keep away bugs like aphids, spider mites and snails, but it can also keep some weeds in check and promote pollination.
He can be especially helpful when near fruit treesis planted andis a good companion plant for both tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, turnips and kohlrabi. Garlic keeps cabbage whites, aphids, nightshades and other pests away from these plants.
Although garlic is useful for many plants, it should not be planted near legumes, peas and potatoes.
Soil treatment with garlic
Another pest that you can get rid of with garlic are cutworms. If you have noticed these in your garden, use the natural remedy against them.
Crush a handful of fresh garlic cloves and sprinkle them on the soil around affected plants. The smell is said to effectively ward off intruders. This method is also very effective against beetles, ants and snails.
If you notice mole holes anywhere in your garden, stuff some chopped garlic cloves into them toto drive them away. Moles hate the smell so much that they will immediately look for another place to live.
What are the benefits of using garlic against pests?
Garlic offers many benefits that other pesticides do not.
- Natural and non-toxic remedy:Unlike other effective pest control remedies that are harmful to beneficial insects and toxic to pets, garlic is a natural and toxin-free remedy.
- Affordable and cheap method:Most people have garlic at home or they can simply purchase it at a grocery store.
- Fights many types of pests:It doesn't matter whether you're dealing with aphids, mites or cutworms. You can be sure that garlic will deter them and keep them from destroying the plants you have laboriously grown.
