<\/a><\/div>\nTraps and barriers work well if you put them up early – for instance adding netting\u00a0will prevent butterflies landing on the brassicas<\/span> before they become a problem.\u00a0\u00a0Turn a terracotta plant pot upside down, stuff it with straw\u00a0and balance it\u00a0on a bamboo stick\u00a0– this will attract earwigs that can be collected and disposed of easily.<\/span><\/p>\nCrop rotation and companion planting\u00a0should be used too eg<\/span> moving potatoes to a new area each year will help prevent the build up of potato eel worm and planting alliums<\/span> and carrots\/parsnips together will benefit both species.\u00a0 Blasting aphids off with a hose or squashing them between your fingers works whilst colonies are small and keeping greenhouses hosed down will help to keep red spider mite at bay. Learning to recognise pests and their cycles is important too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHowever, until you’ve built up the ‘good’ insect population in your garden, you may have to resort to more instant control, so here goes: (its a good idea to test a small amount on a plant 2 or 3 days before use to check that it doesn’t damage the plant).<\/em><\/span>
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\n<\/span>Pesticides<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span>
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\n<\/span>NOTE: Most insecticides kill beneficial insects as well as their predators so use with caution. It\u2019s often advised to spray in the evening when the beneficial insects will not be as active (for instance if you spray soap to kill greenfly, you may kill the hoverfly<\/span> larvae that would eventually eat the greenfly).\u00a0 As with any chemical, organic or otherwise, wear gloves and avoid breathing in the spray.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nInsecticidal Soaps – Control aphids, thrips<\/span>, spider mite<\/span><\/em><\/strong>
\nBuy from organic suppliers or make your own:<\/span><\/p>\nSoap Spray<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n2 tbsp (30ml) phosphate free washing up liquid (label may say safe in septic tanks)<\/span>
\n2.2 lts<\/span> water<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>Avoid spraying in bright sun as it can scorch foliage. Test a few leaves a couple of days before use as it may damage the plant. Will have to repeat every 24 \u2013 48 hrs.<\/span><\/p>\nRhubarb Leaves –<\/span><\/em><\/strong> All leaf eating insects<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\nRhubarb leaves are poisonous as they contain large quantities of oxalic acid. Wash vegetables thoroughly that have been sprayed before eating them.<\/p>\n
1kg rhubarb leaves (can use tomato, elder or nettle leaves instead)<\/p>\n
1lt water<\/span><\/p>\nMix together, leave for a week, strain and use as a liquid spray.<\/span><\/p>\nOr<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n450g rhubarb leaves<\/span>
\n1.1lt water<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n15ml soap flakes<\/span><\/p>\nBoil for 30 mins<\/span>, topping up to allow for evaporation. Allow to cool and add soap flakes as a wetting agent. Strain and use as an undiluted spray.<\/span><\/p>\nElder Shoots –<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Controls aphids and caterpillars<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>450g young Elder shoots<\/span>
\n3lt water<\/span><\/p>\nMix in large pan and boil for 30 mins<\/span>. Strain and cool. Can be bottled while hot and will keep for 3 months.<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/span>Cinnamon Power<\/em><\/span><\/strong> – Deters ants<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span>
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\n<\/span><\/p>\nSprinkle at the entrance to their nest and they will move away.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Garlic Spray<\/em><\/strong><\/span> – Kills many insect pests and friends<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span>
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\n<\/span><\/p>\nNote: Do not use metallic containers with garlic sprays as they may react with the mixture.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>1. Non oily version<\/strong><\/span>
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\n<\/span>1-2 garlic bulbs<\/span>
\nBoiling water<\/span>
\n1ltr soap spray<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Chop garlic bulbs and cover with boiling water in a lidded jar. Leave to soak overnight. Strain and add to soap spray. Unused spray will decay but it can be frozen to preserve it.<\/span><\/p>\n2. Oily Version<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n100g chopped garlic<\/p>\n
30ml liquid paraffin or baby oil<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n500ml water<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n5ml liquid soap (phosphate free)<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Soak garlic for at least 24 hours in paraffin or oil in a sealed jar. Add water and liquid soap and stir well to emulsify the oil. This should keep well. Use 30ml of preparation in 500ml to spray plants.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>3. Powdered dry garlic bulbs<\/em><\/strong><\/span>
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\n<\/span><\/p>\nSprinkle the powder over affected plants or mix with water to make a spray.<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Wormwood Tea<\/em><\/strong><\/span> – Con<\/span>trols<\/span> aphids, caterpillars, flea beetles & moths<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n225 g wormwood (Artemisia<\/span> absinthium<\/span><\/em>) <\/span>
\n2.25 lts<\/span> water<\/span>
\n<\/span>1 tsp soft soap<\/span><\/p>\nSimmer for 30 minutes, strain and add soft soap and add to spray bottle. Alternatively place dried sprigs beside carrots & onions to mask their scent.<\/span><\/p>\nSulphur –<\/em><\/strong><\/span> Sp<\/span>ider<\/span> mites, thrips<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nFungicides<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nFungal infections are usually visible to the naked eye and include mildews, leaf spots and rusts. They are spread by spores. Carefully removing infected leaves immediately they are infected will help to control the infection.<\/p>\n
Sodium Bicarbonate<\/span><\/em><\/strong> – Powdery Mildew<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n5g baking soda<\/p>\n
1lt water<\/span><\/p>\nMix together for a spray<\/span><\/p>\nOr<\/p>\n
Blackspot<\/span> & mildew on roses<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n3 tsp baking soda<\/span>
\n1 heaped tsp soluble fertiliser<\/span>
\nFew drops phosphorous free washing up liquid<\/span>
\n4.5 lts<\/span> water<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Mix first three ingredients together thoroughly with 200ml water. Add to the remaining water in a watering can. This can be watered over the foliage every two weeks, starting in early spring and continuing throughout the growing season.<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>Or<\/span><\/p>\nDowny mildew<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n100g washing soda <\/span>
\n4 lts<\/span> water<\/span>
\n50g soft soap<\/span><\/p>\nDissolve washing soda in water then add soft soap to a spray bottle<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Or<\/span>
\n
\n<\/span>Powdery mildew, blackspot<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n20g baking soda<\/span>
\n15ml citrus oil <\/span>
\n2.2 lts<\/span> water <\/span><\/p>\nMix\u00a0and spray foliage lightly, including the undersides. Do not pour or spray this mix directly into the soil. <\/span>
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\n<\/span><\/p>\nMilk –<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Mildew<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n300ml milk <\/span>
\n700ml water <\/span><\/p>\nThe enzymes of fresh milk sprayed on plants will attack mildew. A stronger solution will result in a foul smell as the milk goes rancid.<\/span>
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\n<\/span><\/p>\nElder Spray<\/em><\/strong><\/span> – Mildew and black spot<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span>
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\n<\/span><\/p>\nSame as pesticides:<\/span><\/p>\n450g young Elder shoots<\/span>
\n3lt water<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Mix in large pan and boil for 30 mins<\/span>. Strain and cool. Can be bottled while hot and will keep for 3 months.<\/span>