Pesticides are as old as agriculture: without them, plantations are exposed to many dangers. Once the pests have taken up residence in the garden, the flowers, fruits and vegetables never last long.
Pesticides include all the products used to fight against pests – weeds, fungi, insects and animals – that proliferate in crops. Most of the pesticides used by the food industry are chemical and damage the soil. Fortunately, natural and environmentally friendly solutions exist to get rid of pests. Here are which ones to recommend to gardeners and landscapers.
The best natural pesticides for the garden:
diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is obtained by grinding silica. The powder thus obtained has two interesting properties which also make it useful for swimming pools: it filters and absorbs humidity. Sprinkled on your plants, diatomaceous earth will dehydrate the insects and get rid of them. Remember to sprinkle it regularly in rainy weather!
white vinegar
White vinegar is a real miracle product. It is indeed just as useful for cleaning your surfaces as it is for getting rid of pests! Spray a mixture of water and white vinegar on your vegetable garden and the mushrooms will be a bad memory.
oil and soap
Everyone has oil and soap at home, but few people think of using them in their garden. And yet, a mixture of oil, soap and water sprayed on your plants will trap the insects in a fatty substance and get rid of them effectively. Neem oil is particularly recommended: it also has hormonal properties that disrupt the nervous system of insects and prevent them from feeding.
The mushrooms
Is your vegetable garden invaded by fungi? One of the most effective solutions is… to develop other mushrooms in your garden! Indeed, not all fungi are harmful to your plantations, quite the contrary. Some species of fungi will prey on harmful fungi and eventually get rid of them altogether.
The insects
This logic can also be applied to insects! Some species feed on other insects and will not be interested in your plants. Well known in the permaculture community, this method will allow you to create an ecosystem favorable to the growth of your plants. Ladybugs, for example, are often used because they feed on aphids.
Plants
Yes, plants can also be used as pesticides! Some species are particularly repellent and will repel insects in a totally natural way. You necessarily know the effect of citronella on mosquitoes, for example. But you can also use lemon balm, lavender, and even basil depending on the insects you want to control from your garden.
Many natural solutions exist to rid your crops of pests. It is therefore all the more regrettable that chemical pesticides are so often acclaimed. Quickly and inexpensively, you can overcome the insects, fungi and weeds that proliferate in your garden. You will also have the satisfaction of having made your own pesticide and, above all, of preserving the quality of your soil!
