In early spring, while the pests have not yet emerged from hibernation, you can stop their invasion with simple methods.
This requires time, knowledge and available tools.
First Lifehack with Baking Soda
Regular baking soda works wonders. Dilute 3 tbsp. in 10 l of water, add 50 g of soap shavings and spray the bushes before the buds open.
This product not only repels aphids and caterpillars, but also prevents powdery mildew.
Soap and oil
And if you find egg clutches on the branches, lubricate them with a mixture of vegetable oil and liquid soap (2:1) - the insects will suffocate under the oil film.
To enhance the effect, add a few drops of mint or wormwood essential oil to the mixture - their smell will disorient the pests.
Another secret is tobacco dust infusion
Pour 200 g of dust with boiling water, leave for 24 hours, strain and treat the plants. The smell of tobacco is not tolerated by most pests, including cruciferous fleas and the Colorado potato beetle.
To enhance the effect, add a handful of ash to the solution.
But remember: you need to spray in calm weather so that drops do not fall on neighboring crops.
If there is no tobacco, use onion peel: pour 300 g with 5 liters of boiling water, leave for 2 days and strain. This infusion also helps against spider mites.
Don't ignore mechanical methods
Hang trapping belts of burlap, greased with tar, on trees. Ants and caterpillars will not be able to overcome the sticky barrier.
And to combat moles and bears, use noise. Dig empty plastic bottles into the ground with the neck up - the wind will create vibrations that will scare away underground pests.
Another trick: bury fish heads or eggshells in the beds - the mole cricket cannot stand these smells and leaves, but cats may come.
Attract natural enemies of pests to your garden
Plant dill, parsley or buckwheat - their flowers attract ladybugs and lacewings, which destroy aphids.
And birdhouses on trees will attract birds that hunt caterpillars. Just don't use pesticides if you want to keep your helpers - they kill beneficial insects too.
And don't forget about crop rotation.
If you plant the same crop in the same place every year, pests will multiply exponentially.
Alternate plantings: plant legumes after tomatoes, potatoes after cabbage. And scatter marigolds between the beds - their roots secrete substances that suppress nematodes.
Author: Igor Zur