How do I keep pests off my plants without using harmful pesticides
Natural Methods:
- Pick the insects off the vegetables. Wear gloves when you remove them and place the insects in a jar. Transport the jar away from the garden or fill it with soapy or salt water to kill them.
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth over soft-bodied insects. This will dehydrate the insects and kill them.
- Combine 1 to 2 tbsp. of dish soap with 1 qt. of water in a spray bottle. Spray the homemade insecticidal soap onto the vegetables and insects.
- Plant flowers, herbs and other plants that repel pests. Plants like marigold, chives, lavender, rosemary and sage repel destructive insects. Plant them throughout the vegetable garden to keep the insects away. Research the plant companions that work well for the type of vegetables that you are growing.
- Spray the plants with water from the garden hose. Pay attention to the undersides of the leaves and wash away the pests, larvae and eggs.
