Controlling pest in the farms is very important because they can damage your crops and reduce production. Some insects and parasites can live in the body of plants and animals feeding on them and causing diseases. They are not only annoying but they can also cause several fatal diseases and deprive the plant and animals of essential nutrients that they need for normal growth.
Fortunately, you don’t need to run to your local farm supply store to get a bottle of pesticide containing chemicals anymore for your indoor or backyard garden. You have safer and more eco-friendly methods of pest control available and most of the stuff is available in your kitchen pantry already. There are sustainable ways of getting rid of these insects and parasites, without using harsh chemicals, and some of the easy methods of getting rid of these creepy crawlers include using common household products that you can find around the house.
- Soapy water: spray plants or animals with soapy water. It will get rid of mites, and aphids.
- Beer: Beer is not only for drinking. Your pests like beer too. You can make an effective trap for snail or slugs with beer, and prevent them from eating leaves of your plants.
- Garlic: garlic has a strong odor that can repel most common bugs. Placing garlic close to your home garden can repel several harmful insects.
- Pepper spray: make a solution with soap water, red chili pepper or black pepper. Spray it on your plants to get rid of spiders.
- Nicotine spray: make a solution by taking one cup of dried tobacco and mixing with a gallon of warm water. Mix with a table spoon of dish soap and spray directly on your plants to get rid of leaf chewing insects.
- Alcohol spray: Get a cup of strong alcohol, preferably wood spirit, or isopropyl alcohol. Mix it with a quart of water and spray it on your plants directly.
- Water: Spraying water just like a heavy rainfall with a hose can get rid of many insects from your house plants.
- Cross vegetation: Mixed gardening can encourage predatory species that prey on pests for other plants. For example planting buck wheat can attract hoverflies which prey on other insects such as leafhoppers, mealy bugs, aphids and so on.
However, not all commercial pesticides are bad. You can look at products that don’t use any harsh chemicals and are made in sustainable formula. There are far more products available today in the market that don’t harm the environment negatively. if you can use any of those products that do not cause discomfort for you, go for it. However, using household ingredients like baking soda, garlic, chili powder, soap, cooking oil, beer, and other natural stuff can be used to make effective repellants. If your pests are persistent, make sure you consult your pest control professionals in the area for more professional help.
Source: Institute of Ecolonomics
