When used incorrectly, pesticides can pollute water. They also kill
beneficial as well as harmful insects. Natural alternatives prevent both of
these events from occurring and save you money. Consider using natural
alternatives for chemical pesticides: Non-detergent insecticidal soaps, garlic,
hot pepper sprays, 1 teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water, used
dishwater, or forceful stream of water to dislodge insects.
Also consider using plants that naturally repel insects. These plants have
their own chemical defense systems, and when planted among flowers and
vegetables, they help keep unwanted insects away. The table below contains a
partial list of nature's alternatives.
Ant |
mint, tansy, pennyroyal |
Aphids |
mint, garlic, chives, coriander, anise |
Bean Leaf Beetle |
potato, onion, turnip |
Codling Moth |
common oleander |
Colorado Potato Bug |
green beans, coriander, nasturtium |
Cucumber Beetle |
radish, tansy |
Flea Beetle |
garlic, onion, mint |
Imported Cabbage Worm |
mint, sage, rosemary, hyssop |
Japanese Beetle |
garlic, larkspur, tansy, rue, geranium |
Leaf Hopper |
geranium, petunia |
Mexican Bean Beetle |
potato, onion, garlic, radish, petunia, marigolds |
Mice |
onion |
Root Knot Nematodes |
French marigolds |
Slugs |
prostrate rosemary, wormwood |
Spider Mites |
onion, garlic, cloves, chives |
Squash Bug |
radish, marigolds, tansy, nasturtium |
Stink Bug |
radish |
Thrips |
marigolds |
Tomato Hornworm |
marigolds, sage, borage |
Whitefly |
marigolds, nasturtium |
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