Herb gardens are a great place to plant herbs such as basil, rosemary, fennel sowa, and thyme which can be used for cooking or baking. Unfortunately, insect pests such as aphids, mealybugs, mites, and beetles also love herb gardens and can eat up all of your beautiful plants if their development is left untreated. You can use garden spray or set traps to get rid of insect pests in your garden. You can also prevent pests from entering the garden so that the plants can continue to grow and develop properly.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Garden Spray
Step 1. Make a garlic spray
Chop or crush two cloves of garlic in a blender. After that, mix it with 480 ml of water until the texture is smooth. Place the mixture in a container and let it sit for a day. Strain the grains and transfer the mixture into a spray bottle filled with 4 liters of water.
- For a stronger mixture, add 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of chili sauce.
- You can spray the mixture on the top and bottom of the herb's leaves to kill aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.
Step 2. Use a spray mixture of peppermint, lavender, or neem (neem) oil
Add 10 drops of peppermint oil and 10 drops of lavender oil to 4 liters of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray over the herbs to kill fleas, flies, and gnats. This essential oil spray can also kill moths and spiders.
- Neem oil can also kill and repel pests in the garden. Mix 10 drops of neem oil with 4 liters of water in a spray bottle.
- Look for high-quality, safe-to-consume essential oils from health food stores or the internet. Thus, the risk can be warded off when you consume herbs.
Step 3. Make a spray mixture of citrus and cedar (cedar) oils
Citrus and cedar oils are great for getting rid of ants and fleas. Mix 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of orange oil and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of cedar oil with 4 liters of water in a spray bottle. After that, you can spray the mixture on the herbs and insect pests that you want to get rid of.
This essential oil is suitable for use, especially on ant colonies. Spray the mixture on the ant colony daily to kill the entire colony and prevent it from coming back
Step 4. Use a soap-based spray
Prepare soap made from natural ingredients, without antibacterial substances. Mild liquid soap can be a good option. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of soap with 4 liters of water in a spray bottle. After that, you can spray the mixture on the herbs to get rid of aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs.
You can add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of alcohol to the mixture to increase its strength
Step 5. Look for an insecticide spray at a garden supply store
If you want to buy insecticides to kill insect pests in your garden, look for organic products that contain natural ingredients. Avoid products that contain harsh chemicals as these can affect the overall balance of the garden and make your plants dangerous to eat.
Ask staff or garden supply store representatives for advice on the right product brand. You can also find information on the best insecticide products on the market through the internet
Step 6. Apply insecticide every three or five days until the pests are gone
Spray the product on the herbs in the morning or evening when the weather starts to cool. Use the spray all over the plant, from side to side and from top to bottom, as well as the top and bottom of the leaves.
- Re-spray the product on the herbs after it rains, as the mixture usually gets washed away with the rain.
- If the insect pests don't go away after a month of using the product, you can use neem oil directly on the pests to get rid of them.
- If the pest cannot be eradicated after two months of using the product, you may need to use a more potent insecticide.
- Spraying plants from top to bottom using cold clean water is usually sufficient to eradicate unwanted pests. If the pests that damage the plant are present in small numbers, you can also pick them directly from the plants by hand.
Method 2 of 3: Installing Pest Traps
Step 1. Create a pest trap using cornstarch and a plastic container
Prepare a small plastic container with a lid and make a small hole in the bottom that is large enough for woodlice or small snails to enter. Fill the container with 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of cornstarch. Place traps in the garden to catch and kill woodlice.
- You will need to change the cornstarch every day to attract attention and kill pests.
- You can also use diatomaceous earth in the trap instead of cornstarch to kill woodlice and other crawling insects.
Step 2. Create a glue trap using paint and Vaseline
Take a plastic card or a piece of cardboard and coat it with yellow waterproof paint. Once the paint has dried, apply 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) of Vaseline or nonpetroleum gel on both sides of the carton. Place cardboard just above the herb canopy to attract attention and kill mealybugs and gnats.
You will need to reapply the Vaseline to the cardboard periodically to keep the trap working
Step 3. Make an ant trap using borax and sugar
If there are swarms of ants that damage the herbs, you can get rid of them by mixing 60 grams of borax and 60 grams of sugar in a bowl. Sprinkle the mixture on ant mounds and paths that ant swarms usually walk. The sugar mixture will be carried by the ants to the nest. After that, the borax will kill the ants and prevent them from coming back.
You can get borax from hardware stores or the internet
Step 4. Make a beer trap for the snails
Fill a short-walled plastic container or saucer with stale beer. After that, place the trap in the garden. Snails are attracted to the yeast in the blue, while the beer itself will drown the snails.
Change the beer in the trap periodically to ensure that the trap still attracts attention and kills slugs
Step 5. Purchase a commercial pest trap
If you want to buy a trap to catch and kill insect pests, visit a gardening supply store and do an internet search. Look for traps that are easy to install and clean. Usually, trapping products are designed for a particular insect or pest.
Make sure the trap does not contain harsh chemicals that can damage the garden as it can cause other problems and make your herbs uneatable
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Pests
Step 1. Purchase beneficial insects to keep in the herb garden
Beneficial insects such as ladybugs, mealybugs, and praying mantis can kill pests and keep the garden balanced. These animals will not eat herbs and make it easier for you to keep insect pests away. You can buy beneficial insects from the internet or garden supply stores.
Release the bugs at night, right after you water the garden. This way, the insects will stay in the garden and eat the pests
Step 2. Attract beneficial insects into your garden naturally
Place a saucer filled with pebbles and water in the garden to attract ladybugs and mealybugs. You can also place small flowers near the herb garden to allow insects to come to get nectar and roam near the garden so that they can kill other pests.
Step 3. Prune or remove herbs periodically
Use clean pruning shears to trim the herbs regularly so they can grow healthily and not attract a lot of pests. You can also use your thumb and forefinger to pluck out buds that are growing uncontrollably. Thus, the herbs continue to grow healthily and free from pests.
Allow (at least) half of your herb collection to flower in order to attract beneficial insects. You can pluck or prune after another collection to keep the garden balanced
Step 4. Plant herbs that act as natural insect repellents
Several types of herbs can keep insect pests away naturally from the garden. These herbs include mint, lemongrass, fennel, and basil. Plant one or two of these herbs in the garden to keep pests away.
Tips
- Always wash and rinse herbs before use or consumption. This is important to remember, especially if you are using insecticides to keep pests away.
- If you use insecticides, make sure you watch for exposure to yourself, children, and pets. When using insecticides, make sure you wear protective clothing and gloves, and store them in a cool, dry place.
