|
|
Bid Farewell to Bugs on Hanging Baskets, Naturally
The question of how to get rid of bugs on hanging baskets naturally, can
be answered in several ways. Find out how you can: use diversion
planting; use natural pesticides; and introduce "good bugs" into your
garden.
Use Natural Pesticides to Get Rid of Bugs
So how do you get rid of bugs on hanging baskets naturally? Gardening
can be heartbreaking at times, especially when you've put in so much
time and love into creating a perfect hanging basket, only to have it
infested by bugs. There are so many commercial pesticides on the market,
that it can be baffling, when often the natural way is best anyway. Try
some of these options to keep bugs out of your hanging baskets, the
natural way.
Garlic spray, is a natural insect repellent which repels pests such as
aphids, spider mites, and white flies. It may smell a bit when you first
spray it on, but only the pests will smell it once it's dries, and they
will keep away.
Neem oil, can be used as a spray on plants, to make insects lose their
appetite. The only disadvantage, to using Neem as a pesticide, is that
it can take a few days to work. However, not only is it very effective
once it gets going, it also has no negative effects on the "good bugs"
that you want to stay in your garden.
Insecticidal soap, is very effective against aphids and hoverfly larva,
and can be purchased ready-to-go, from garden centers, or you can make
your own, with a mix of water, alcohol and soap. It is best used as a
spray, early in the morning or late in the evening allowing a longer
drying time as it works best when it remains in contact with the bug for
as long as possible. You could also use Neem oil insecticidal soap which
combines the two products, meaning double trouble for your pests.
Hot pepper wax is derived from Cayenne peppers, and is a mixture of
herbs, capsaicin and food grade paraffin wax. It works by keeping bugs
who don't like spicy things (such as whitefly and aphids), away from
your hanging baskets, and also protects your plants from dry weather
. When spraying though, do take care not to get it on your skin or in
your eyes as it can be very irritating.
Pyrethrins, are one of the most effective pesticides available, and are
made from chrysanthemum flowers. While it's true to say they exterminate
an extremely wide variety of bugs, they may also have side effects on
humans. It may be worth reading the EPA factsheets in this area, before
using it to control your hanging basket bugs.
You may wish to also try: agricultural lime, boric acid, and starch
spray, as a natural way to banish bugs. Baking Soda (Bicarbonate of
Soda), is very effective as a spray-on pesticide, when 1 teaspoon of it,
is mixed with a quart of water, and a touch of dishwashing soap.
Many essential oils are great insect repellents too. Apply either,
citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, or tea tree oil, to a cotton wool
pad, and wipe it around the top of your hanging basket, for a truly
natural bug repellent.
|
