While many gardeners turn to chemical solutions or even washing-up liquid to fight off unwanted bugs, experts warn that these methods can often cause more harm than good. According to Chris Ware, a gardening expert at Climbing Wild Gardeners, there’s a much better, natural way to keep your plants safe without spending a fortune.
Aphids, the pesky sap-sucking insects that often cause leaves to yellow and curl, are a common issue for gardeners. Unfortunately, they’re also tricky to get rid of. Although many people try to solve pest issues by spraying their plants with soapy water, Chris advises against this approach.
“Using household soaps can actually damage your plants,” he explained. “It can strip away the waxy cuticles on the leaves, making it easier for them to lose water and, in some cases, even causing the plants to die”, said Chris.
So, what’s the alternative? The gardening expert recommends a simple, homemade garlic spray as a non-toxic and highly effective way to repel pests.
He said: “Garlic is toxic to insects, and it also helps prevent harmful bacteria and fungi.
“It’s a fantastic organic solution that works wonders for pests like aphids, slugs, and snails, and it doesn’t leave any unwanted garlic taste on edible crops.”
Not only is garlic an excellent natural insect repellent, but it’s also incredibly affordable.
“Garlic bulbs cost around 50p at the supermarket, so this bug-busting mixture is incredibly affordable,” Chris added.
The spray couldn’t be simpler: boil two garlic bulbs in water until soft, crush them to release the juice, and then sieve the mixture.
After diluting the concentrate with five litres of water, pour it into a sprayer and apply it to your plants once a week.
Gardening enthusiasts who have tried the garlic spray have already reported great results.
One gardener told the expert: “I’ve been using garlic spray on my roses, and they’ve never looked better,” another praised the solution, saying: “Garlic spray is a game changer – it works so well!”
