As summer arrives, gardeners are gearing up to enjoy the fruits of their labor with blooming flowers and ripening vegetables. However, the warmer weather also brings an unwelcome invasion of pests eager to feast on their hard work. Aphids, ants, and slugs are among the most common culprits in British gardens, capable of causing significant damage to plants.
Slugs, for instance, have a particular fondness for fresh, young plants and fruits such as strawberries and figs. They are also adept at hiding, often lurking on the underside of leaves and making them difficult to spot. Aphids, despite their small size, pose a massive threat by stunting plant growth, weakening plant structure, and damaging leaves.
While chemical pesticides might seem like an easy fix, they can be harmful to wildlife and other animals. Fortunately, there is a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative: a homemade pesticide made from household ingredients.
Gardening experts from Grow Barato recommend creating a pesticide using baking soda and liquid soap. To make this solution, mix half a tablespoon of baking soda into four liters of water and shake well to dissolve the powder. Then, add a small amount of liquid soap to the mixture.
This homemade pesticide can be sprayed directly onto plants to deter pests. Baking soda disrupts the scent trails of pests like slugs and ants, discouraging them from nibbling on plants. It can also dehydrate and kill pests if ingested. The soap, on the other hand, is particularly effective against insects like aphids and mealybugs, as it can damage their cell membranes and, in some cases, suffocate them.
Grow Barato advises applying the solution to affected plants and monitoring the results. If necessary, the treatment can be repeated over several days to ensure the pests are eliminated.
For those who don’t have baking soda on hand, it can be easily purchased for as little as 59p from Sainsbury’s. This simple, affordable solution allows gardeners to protect their plants without harming the environment or local wildlife.
