Have you ever been up to your elbows in aphids or battling a slug infestation? There are some natural, non-toxic solutions to remove pests from your garden that are friendly to bees and to your wallet! All you need are a few items found at home and a bit of DIY spirit.
PEPPER, GARLIC AND ONION
Repel unwanted insects from your garden by using fresh garlic, onion and chilli in the form of a natural spray.
To create the spray, blitz a handful of chilli peppers, garlic, or onions in a blender with a few cups of water. Bring to a boil on the stove for a few minutes then cool and transfer to a spray bottle with extra water to make sure you don’t burn your plants. Spray on the affected plant twice weekly until the problem subsides. Make sure to test a small patch before use and wear gloves.
CASTILE SOAP
Gentle and non-toxic on human skin, Castille soap is a surprising pesticide.
Make sure you choose a natural, plain Castille as dish soaps and detergents may do more harm than good. Combine water and a small amount of soap (approx. 1 tablespoon of soap to 1 litre of water) and spray all over once a week. Feel free to add a little cooking oil, vinegar, essential oil or garlic for an extra potent solution.
EPSOM SALT
Epsom salts are non-toxic, bee-friendly and a great addition to the garden. Not only just a magnesium-rich fertiliser for tomato and pepper plants, but Epsom salts are effective at keeping slimy critters like slugs and snails off your plants. Simply sprinkle Epsom salt around the plant base or apply a 1:1 ratio of water and salt spray the leaves.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Strong, pungent smells can work to repel many insects. You can plant onion and garlic nearby or use essential oils such as eucalyptus, orange, peppermint and rosemary. Sprinkle a few drops around your plants or add them to a spray bottle full of water and apply directly.
VINEGAR
Because they are both acidic, white wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar can both be used as effective weed killers. Simply fill up a spray bottle and apply it directly to the difficult weeds you’d like to be rid of.
We love bees here at Honest to Goodness. Protecting bees is a key part of our collective sustainable future. Shop our Honest to Goodness honey range, made from 100% Aussie, ethically and sustainably sourced honey!