My three-ingredient mix repels insects from your plants – don’t skip an essential step or it can damage leaves
PROTECTING your garden against insects doesn’t have to involve chemicals.
One organic gardener shared the DIY hack he uses to repel pests from his flowerbeds.
In his viral video, the TikTok user (@daddybrownn) explained that he creates his own natural insecticide for his plants.
According to the green-fingered poster, store-bought insecticides can be harmful to your garden.
While he explained that they are terrible for your plants and you, he added that they can also soak into the ground and sometimes enter water supplies.
The TikToker said he was motivated to share his DIY recipe in the hope it might encourage others to avoid using chemicals.
And his hack is also useful for saving money as it involves products that you probably already own.
For his first step, he added 235 millilitres of vegetable oil to a large mixing bowl.
The castor oil in the product has been found to effective at repelling several types of insect.
A study by the National Library of Medicine crediting it with deterring bugs such as beetles.
For the TikTok user’s next step, he added one liquid hand soap to the bowl.
Most hand soaps contain citrus ingredients which insects find repulsive, making it an effective ingredient in pest control.
However, the gardener warned his followers against applying the mixture onto their plants just yet.
He explained that around 900 mililitres of water is needed to dilute the solution.
The TikToker recommended giving your ingredients a “good mix” before pouring them into your spray bottle.
He then demonstrated how to apply the DIY pest repellant to your garden.
“You can spray directly on the leaves, you can even spray it on your fruits, it’s not going to harm them,” he said.
Keep pests out all summer
Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths – acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants – herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mossies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
“This is organic, there’s nothing in it, no carcinogens but it’s going to get rid of the insects that are eating your garden.”
He labelled the mixture as “perfectly safe” to use anywhere in your garden.
TikTok users shared their thoughts on the recipe in the comments section.
“I made this and treated my vegetable garden with it today,” wrote one viewer.
“I tried this to my plants in my flower pots. I would say it works quite well, and makes the leafy plants shiny, but the fragile flowers will wilt,” warned another follower.
“I appreciate you, my man. Thanks for sharing the information,” commented a third person.
