Today’s Tip from The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference: Get rid of garden pests naturally.
Natural pest control is almost always as effective as chemical pesticides. More importantly, it does not harm the environment. The residue from chemical pesticides eventually ends up in lakes and rivers where it can be ingested by local wildlife. Harsh chemicals can also kill beneficial insects that actually help the garden.
In most cases, a mixture of soap and warm water will take care of garden pests. Mix two teaspoons of dishwashing liquid with one quart of warm water and spray the infected plants liberally. If slugs are a problem, you can use a natural remedy like beer to get rid of them.
Ladybugs, spiders, praying mantises, and wasps all eat insects that destroy plants. You can attract spiders by applying a thin layer of mulch in the spring, giving them a cool and dark place to live. Most garden centers sell ladybugs and praying matises that can be relocated to your garden for natural pest control.
Plants like herbs and clover will also attract beneficial insects, so try integrating them into your flowerbeds this spring.
See all of the other tips in our Go Green series.
My favorite “green” pin of the week is do-it-yourself chandeliers made with recycled stuff. This beer bottle one is just one of several. The site has some neat ideas that might inspire you to create something of your own!