Pests like aphids or mealybugs (often mistaken for mealybugs, but they infest wood indoors, not living plants) can be a nuisance. Chemical sprays work quickly, but we don’t want to bring them into our homes or gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, there are tried-and-tested, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective methods to protect your plants and get rid of pests permanently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aphids: Fast invaders that love young shoots
Aphids suck plant sap and excrete a sticky honeydew that attracts ants and promotes mold growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Home remedies for aphids:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soap or dish soap solution: Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid or potassium soap (or organic granular soap) with 1 liter of lukewarm water. Spray the aphids directly. The solution will clog their breathing pores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nettle infusion: Collect nettles, pour water over them, and let them steep for 24 to 48 hours (no longer, as the infusion will otherwise begin to ferment and act more like fertilizer). Spray the plants with the undiluted infusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oil spray: Mix 1 liter of water with a few drops of dish soap and 2 tablespoons of rapeseed or neem oil. The oil coats the aphids and kills them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maggots (wavy and shield maggots): Tenacious, armored insects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are referring to pests on plants, you are usually talking about shield maggots (they look like small cotton balls) or shield maggots (small brown scales). They have a protective wax coating, so a normal, fine spray is not sufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Home remedies for maggots:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alcohol treatment (most effective): Soak a cotton swab in pure alcohol (e.g., rubbing alcohol or technical-grade alcohol) and rub it onto the pests. The alcohol dissolves their waxy outer layer, killing them instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oil-soap emulsion: Mix 1 liter of warm water, 1 tablespoon of liquid soap, and 1 tablespoon of oil. Shake well and spray onto the plant. The oil suffocates the maggots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Important rules for successful pest control<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udca1 Beware of the sun: Always spray homemade remedies (especially those containing oil or alcohol) in the evening or on cloudy days. The sun could severely burn the leaves through the damp layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consistency is key: Natural sprays generally do not kill pest eggs. Therefore, repeat the treatment every 3 to 5 days for a period of two weeks to also combat the newly hatched generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ant control: If you have aphids in your garden or greenhouse, look for ants. Ants treat aphids like “golden goose” because of their sweet honeydew and protect them from predators (e.g., ladybugs). If the ants are not controlled, the aphids will return. Prevention: A strong and healthy plant is more resistant to pests. Don’t overwater it, ensure it receives sufficient light, and occasionally mist it with clean water as a preventative measure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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