When dealing with pests, it’s easy to go to the hardware store to buy pesticides and other chemical sprays. If you’re more conscious of using natural products, here are some great natural alternatives to think about and to try.

Diatomite: From fossilized diatoms, this is not only nutritious for plants but it can also work as a deterrent and pesticide for common plant pests. It comes in white powder form. When insects are exposed to it, it dries them up and kills them. For effective Pest Control Brisbane use against snails and slugs, the powder needs to be added to something that will attract them for it to be effective. It is known to kill cockroaches, spiders, bedbugs, lice, and ants. When mixed with other things like liquids, it is not as effective. If used in your home to deter pests, make sure it is food grade which is safer for you and your family. Just sprinkle it in areas where pests are seen frequently. Sprinkle the powder in your garden under your plants or if you see insects on your plants, dust the insects with the powder. To prevent killing good insects like bees and butterflies, cover the plant with fine mesh or a light sheet after treatment. Rinse after the pests have died.

Tobacco: Tobacco does have a usefulness after all. It is strong enough to kill aphids and worms. If one cup of pure tobacco is steeped in four and a half litres of water, you can make one deadly solution to spray on pests. When exposed to tobacco, the nicotine destroys the insects’ nerve tissues. It is not recommended to use on plants in the same plant family as tobacco like tomatoes and chili peppers as they contain a low dose of nicotine already.
Plain soap and water: Though still toxic, it is not as bad as regular pesticides. Just mix 50 ml of dish soap in 4.5 litres of water and you’ll have a solution that will last you a while. Just spray the bugs you see until they die and don’t come back on your plants. Try not to get the pray on the soil as it can pollute your plants. When spraying, cover the ground with newspaper to absorb the solution so it doesn’t get into the soil.

Garlic: We know that garlic is very potent. If you cut up one small clove (the smaller the clove the more potent it is) with one onion and mix it with about one litre of water and let it steep together for a couple of hours, you’ll have a great natural solution to spray pests with. Just make sure the pieces don’t clog the sprayer. Keep it cool, and it will last a few days before losing it’s strength.

Chili powder: Just mix 1 litre of water with 1 teaspoon of chili powder and put it in a spray bottle. Just spray the affected branches and leaves that you won’t be eating. Don’t spray the area that will be consumed as food. If the spray is too strong for your plant, dilute the solution.

Magnesium Sulfate: Though not fully studied yet, some gardeners say that magnesium sulfate or Epsom salts can help get rid of pests if sprinkled on the dirt beside plants. If you sprinkle salt on earthworms, they shrivel up, so maybe sprinkling salts near your plants can deter slugs or other worms from coming and attacking your leafy greens.

It’s worth a try and if it works for you, share your solution with others.

If you are overwhelmed by pests and natural remedies are not working for you, it’s best to consult professional pest control services like Swarm Pest Control in Brisbane before the pests get out of hand.

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