Aphids can devastate cherry trees (Image: Getty)
At this time of year, gardeners are beginning to get the benefit of all their hard work, with salad crops and many other vegetables coming into their own.
But there are few things more disappointing than discovering that your prized fruits and vegetables have been nibbled by garden pests.
Right now, Google searches for terms such as “garden pests” and “get rid of pests in garden” are up by over 200%.
But you don’t want to cover food crops with nasty chemicals, so the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine has suggested a few handy tips to get rid of those pesky freeloaders, using all natural ingredients.
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Just put some diluted washing-up liquid in a spray bottle to deter aphids (Image: Getty)
Wash away pests
You can banish aphids from fruit trees, for example, with washing-up liquid. Using an eco-friendly brand such as Ecover or Purdy & Figg diluted in water, just spray your at-risk plants liberally while pinching off any obvious offenders, or even pruning branches that have a large number of aphids on them.
You can also keep aphids under control with nematodes. Different nematode species are effective against different garden pests. For aphids, look for species like Steinernema feltiae or Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, which are known to target aphids and other soil-borne pests.
The tiny nematodes will enter the aphids and release bacteria that kill them. Before using, read the instructions on the pack carefully and ensure the soil is moist and the temperature is suitable for the specific nematode species you’ve bought.
Netting has multiple benefits for vegetable patches (Image: Getty)
Net benefits
Of course, prevention is better than cure and a good, simple way to prevents pests from getting at your precious veg is to use some micro-mesh netting.
Apart from keeping caterpillars and other unwanted intruders from laying eggs on your leafy greens, netting will also lessen the risk of wind damage, and offer some protection from any unexpected hailstorms. Insects are also responsible for spreading diseases from plant to plant, so keeping them off your greens is a good idea.
Any wandering rabbits, or squirrels that might want to use your vegetable patch as a nut storage facility, will also be kept at bay by well-anchored netting.
Slugs will happily eat all your salad (Image: Getty)
Escar-GO!
Slugs and snails dislike sliding over copper, so you can buy copper tape from your garden centre that will create a barrier around any pot or container plants.
Plants in beds can be protected from slimy pests with a generous sprinkling of crushed eggshell – slugs and snails hate the feeling of crawling over the sharp edges.
Another natural barrier, particularly good for keeping parasites away from cucumbers, is kaolin clay. Remember to re-apply it after any summer thunderstorms, though, as it will wash off easily in heavy rain.
Mushrooms are a sign of a healthy garden (Image: Getty)
Fun guys
Another natural method that you may not considered is drafting mushrooms into your battle against garden pests.
Expert Waine Delaney from SporeBuddies says that while mushrooms may not be your first thought when it comes to protecting your garden, certain fungi contain compounds to naturally target slugs, snails, and other intruders – safely and organically, without the need for chemicals.
Many edible mushrooms, like shiitake and oyster, contain certain bioactive compounds that are anti-fungal, antimicrobial, and insect-repelling.
They also contain enzymes, phenolics, and bitter tasting compounds that repel pests like slugs and snails; when sprayed onto a plants surface and the surrounding soil, the surface residue and unfamiliar scent confuses them, and signals that the plant is inedible.
A mushroom solution will work as an excellent pest-repellent (Image: Getty)
Making your own
Simply pop your mushrooms in a blender or food processor with some water, and blend until you get a smooth mixture.
Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer into a jug to remove any remaining large chunks that could block the spray.
You can also increase the mixture’s pest-repelling properties by adding extra ingredients such as peppermint oil, rosemary, garlic extract (good for slugs and snails), or neem oil (good against caterpillars, greenfly, and aphids)
Carefully pour your mixture into a spray bottle and add more water if required.
Shake well before each use and spray directly onto the leaves – not forgetting the underside – stems, and around the base of your plants. Reapply every few days, especially after rain.