Every gardener’s worst nightmare – in the blink of an eye, your meticulously cared-for garden has been overrun by pests.

Homemade pest control methods that older generations may have used are a great alternative. In addition to being better for the environment, these natural pesticides may be a lot less expensive than conventional options

 

How to get rid of fungi on your plants naturally

Fungus problems in your garden can be attributed to heavy rain, a lack of spacing between plants, and lack of ventilation. You can make a homemade fungicide spray by combining one part milk (preferably full-cream) with ten parts water. 

As a preventative measure or as a treatment, thoroughly spray the plants.

 

Keep slugs away with this homemade solution

In areas of the garden where you’ve seen slugs and snails, prepare a solution of one part espresso (real, not instant) to ten parts water and spray it on the area once cooled. Using beer is also an additional option for slug control albeit it not being cruelty-free. Place a shallow container level with the top of the soil into your garden bed and the snails and slugs will move right into it and drown. Snails are attracted to the smell of the yeast in the beer! If you don’t want to kill them by ingesting the caffeine or drowning them in beer, you can use copper barrier tape or pick them off by hand to keep them out of your home (after dark by torchlight is the best time).

 

Make use of Garlic and Chilli as an insect repellent

Every gardener should have a bottle of this timeless classic on hand. Small sucking insects, such as aphids and caterpillars, can be sprayed with a garlic/chilli-based pesticide. You can use powdered chilli if you don’t have fresh, with crushed garlic, and one tablespoon of vegetable oil. Allow to sit in a jar overnight, then strain and use the liquid as a misting spray on your plants. Do not come into contact with your skin or eyes, and keep away from children. Make sure to use the mixture within two weeks.

 

Eucalyptus Oil to ward of mozzies

One of the most aggravating aspects of having a garden is dealing with mosquitoes especially going into the warmer seasons. Gardening and outdoor entertaining are made more difficult by the presence of these creatures who just love to make us all a bit more uncomfortable. Using eucalyptus oil as a mosquito repellent is a great alternative to deet based repellents. When entertaining outside, consider lighting a citronella candle to create a barrier around you and your guests. The smell of the candle is an added bonus to the bug protection!

 

Plant smart to attract the right insects

Invite aphids’ natural predators into the garden to get rid of the pests. If you plant herbs such as mint, fennel, dill, and yarrow in your garden, insects including ladybirds, praying mantises, hoverflies, and lacewings will happily dine on your aphids. It’s actually pretty graphic so we won’t go into details. Even planting sunflowers, and dandelions can bring along the right kind of bugs!

 

Steer possums away with tea

Possums cannot stand the smokey scent of Lapsang Souchong tea. This ancient tea is the world’s oldest, boldest, and arguably smokiest black tea. Brew a couple bags, wait for the mixture to cool and spray it directly on the plants the possums are munching on. You can also consider hanging a few mothballs or camphor blocks around your garden to deter them. Possums strongly dislike the smell and will actively move away from them.

 

 

 

Maintain your garden’s soil

A lot of gardeners have yet to realise that healthy soil is an important part of natural pest control. Just how humans are less susceptible to diseases if we maintain a healthy lifestyle, the same goes with plants as well. 

This is where we come in. Our Jeffries Veggie & Garden Soil is perfect for…you guessed it … veggie and garden beds. This locally made South Australian soil mix is high in organic matter thus providing a biodiverse environment for disease fighting funghi and bacteria to thrive. This blend is perfect for healthy root establishment and plant growth which also aid in making your plants healthier and more resistant to pests.

 

Use Organic Pest Control Products

We understand that not everyone has the time to make their own natural pesticides but also don’t want to resort to using potentially harsh chemicals. 

Here at Jeffries, we stock pest control products that are 100% organic and NASAA certified. The Multicrop EcoPest Oil Insect Spray and Multicrop Eco Bug Organic Veggies, Fruit & Herbs spray are both online exclusive products that we recommend. Insect pests such as Aphid, Leafhopper, Mite, Thrip, Whitefly, Mealy Bug, Scale & Fungus Gnat can be effectively controlled with these eco-friendly alternatives.

 

A Clean, Green, Natural Garden with Jeffries

 

By using natural pest control methods, you’ll be able to save money, have healthier plants, and benefit from a healthier garden environment. Jeffries is a local family owned business that is dedicated to helping biodiversity in soil across South Australia. If you’re in need of high-quality compost, soil, and mulch for your garden, you can shop online with us or give us a call to talk through your options.