Organic Garden Supplies: 5 Alternatives to Pesticides

Organic garden supplies include organic fertilizers, pesticides and gardening equipment. Studies have shown that organic gardening is healthier for both plants and people, and it’s possible to have a beautiful and productive garden without the use of harmful chemicals and synthetic fertilizers. Here are five organic alternatives to pesticides:

1. Garlic

You can make a garlic spray by soaking 4 ounces of crushed garlic bulbs in 2 tablespoons of mineral oil for a day. This should be added to a solution of 1 teaspoon of fish emulsion in a liter of water and stored in a glass container. The spray is successful in ridding your garden of aphids, mosquitoes and onion flies. If this is sprayed on sweet potatoes, the potatoes are not eaten by rabbits and if it’s sprayed around fruit trees, it protects the trees from borers. If garlic is planted next to a tomato plant, it repels red spider mites.

2. Tomato Leaves

Crush tomato leaves in a vegetable juicer and add a tablespoon of cornstarch and a liter of water to them. This spray is effective in repelling insects.

3. Ladybugs

The introduction of beneficial insects such as ladybugs into the garden can rid the area of pests such as aphids, mites and whiteflies.

4. Nematodes

Nematodes are roundworms that live in the soil and eat about 200 types of pests ranging from beetles to ants. Once introduced into the garden, they enter the bodies of insects and release bacteria that kill the pests within 48 hours.

5. Manual Removal

Pests that are large and visible such as slugs can be removed manually by hand. These insects should be dropped into soapy water so that they die.

Organic pesticides are preferable to commercial pesticides, as the latter target both beneficial and useful insects, pose health hazards for people and pollute the environment.