Don’t use chemicals. Beat the bugs with psychological warfare!
Like us, parents of the baby bugs we call ‘pests’ are looking for the safest and best environment to raise their young. The better the environment, the greater the chance that their young will succeed into adults and take their turn at continuing the species.
The problem is that most backyard veggie gardens are the perfect habitat to raise baby bugs.
Regular watering and plentiful fertilisers result in lush, tender growth that is perfect for young healthy and hungry grubs.
So in order to help pest parents decide that your neighbours have a far more perfect vegetable garden to raise their young, you need to present to them a slightly less than ideal environment.
A Couple of Ways to Give Pest Parents Bad Vibes
Garlic and Chilli Spray
Here is what you need:
1 x Bulb of Garlic
1 x Whole Chilli
1 x Cup of Vegetable Oil
Chop and boil garlic and chilli in one litre of water. When cooled mix with vegetable oil and spray over and around your prized vegetable plants. When flying bugs land on your vegetables they will decide that something isn’t quite right here and to look elsewhere for a place to lay their eggs.
Bluffing
Species such as the white cabbage moth are very territorial. If you arm your vegetable garden with enough fake moths, prospective parents will decide that there is too much competition for their young and seek to raise them elsewhere. Crushed white egg shells scattered around the garden will work or you can cut out a rough moth shape from used white plastic milk bottles. Attach them to small stakes.
There are plenty of other ways you can frighten pest parents away from your vegetable garden.
Perhaps standing in front of your garden in your Sunday best can be one of them!
Please note that this concept applies to transient or flying pests. Those pests that take up residence in your garden (such as snails and slaters) can be harder to fool. For ideas on how to trick these settlers, sign up to our newsletter for seasonal tips.
