How to beat your garden-variety pests into submission, organically.
Recent extreme weather patterns have brought a host of challenges, particularly for gardeners, as the heat wave ushers in a swarm of unwelcome guests: garden pests.
Depending on the plants you nurture or the size and layout of your garden, managing pests can be quite a daunting task.
External signs of ailing plants can often be attributed to lapses in care, whether it’s overwatering, underwatering or the presence of tiny arachnids known as spider mites, which sap the plants of their vital juices.
It’s often a bit of a puzzle, you see.
Whether you’re a novice plant parent, just starting out with your first pair of pruning shears, or a seasoned green thumb with years of gardening expertise, plant pests remain the ultimate adversary in every circumstance.
Therefore, gaining knowledge about identifying symptoms, recognising the corresponding garden pests, and mastering the methods to eliminate and eventually control these plant menaces is absolutely crucial.
This becomes especially important during periods of severe weather when certain insect populations experience rapid growth due to the accelerated hatching process brought about by the hot and humid conditions.
Being a devoted cultivator of fragrant flowering plants, my most effective pest control method is non-chemical and organic, relying on a few readily available household items.
The art of pest management in the garden revolves around mitigation; as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
However, in the event of an infestation requiring a more extensive treatment, there exists a simple solution that demands only a handful of kitchen ingredients.
So, put those chemical pesticides aside, head to your pantry and gather a few cloves of garlic, some chilli peppers, a dash of cooking oil, and a squirt or two of ordinary dish soap.
Each of these ingredients serves a unique function in both pest elimination and prevention, all while posing no harm to the environment.
Garlic boasts allicin, an organosulphur compound released when garlic cloves are crushed. It’s an excellent anti-fungal agent that can combat powdery mildew or mealybug infestations in plants.
Furthermore, the pungent sulphur compounds in garlic can disrupt the sensory receptors of insects, effectively repelling most flying and crawling pests, making it a versatile and invaluable tool.
Chilli peppers, on the other hand, contain capsaicin, the fiery component that gives them their heat. Like garlic, chilli peppers also possess anti-fungal properties, but capsaicin adds a fiery layer of insect repellency.
Meanwhile, the cooking oil ensures the solution adheres evenly to the plant, enhancing its longevity and effectiveness. When combined with the soapy suds, this mixture effectively smothers any pests currently plaguing your plants.
Now that you understand the role of each ingredient in garden pest management, let’s move on to the simple process of concocting your organic pest spray. First, chop, crush, or blend the garlic and chilli peppers, then let them steep in water for at least half a day, or ideally, a full 24 hours. One bulb of garlic and about five to 10 chilli peppers should suffice for a litre of water.
Once the mixture is ready, strain it to remove all particles and add a few squirts of basic dish soap, along with a tablespoon of cooking oil. Your organic pest spray is now ready.
For even greater effectiveness, you can introduce a bit of neem oil into your mix. Neem oil, derived from the fruits, seeds, and bark of the evergreen neem tree (azadirachta indica) found in India and parts of Africa, prevents fungal growth and other leaf diseases.
It’s particularly potent against spider mites, and just a few millilitres of neem oil per litre of water usually suffice to keep your plants healthy and thriving.
During the evening hours, gently mist your plants, making sure to coat both sides of the leaves evenly with your organic pesticide spray.
If your plants are grappling with an infestation, reapply the spray every few days, and remember to do so after any rainfall. Alternatively, for preventive purposes, apply the spray once a week.
As gardeners, challenges posed by ever-changing weather patterns and the relentless march of garden pests are neverending.
But by embracing organic and environmentally-friendly solutions like the homemade pest spray, we not only protect our beloved plants but also contribute to a healthier and more sustainable gardening ecosystem. – Wardi Wasli
