Slugs and caterpillars are a gardener's worst nightmare, as they will eat any plant they come into contact with and can undo months of hard work overnight.
Jelle, a gardener and founder Makkelake Moestuinshared a simple home solution that will naturally stop slugsand others pestsfrom biting something you love plants.
He said: 'This spray helps control caterpillars, slugs, snails and all kinds of other pests. For example, ants, aphids, caterpillars and whiteflies.
“It has oil (from garlic) and soap in it, so it sticks to the plant. It suffocates the aphids and the tiny caterpillars. And it makes the leaf inedible to those pests — but not to you.”
How does this work?
Garlic is very effective in repelling slugs because it contains sulfur, which has an unpleasant taste, so it is unpleasant to them and can be very irritating.
Slugs have a very sensitive sense of smell, so combining garlic and onion will create a powerful mixture that will repel them.
Cayenne pepper is a hot pepper that slugs hate and will avoid in the future if they try it.
Dishwashing liquid helps the mixture stick better to plant leaves and foliage, but it can also break down the protective mucus layer on slugs, leaving them vulnerable to other ingredients.
Jelle said: “They will avoid the plants you spray. The smell is quite intense. Use the spray and your garden will smell like a French kitchen.”
How to Repel Slugs Naturally Using a Home Remedy
You will need:
- One liter of water
- Five cloves of garlic (crushed)
- One small onion (chopped)
- One teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- One tablespoon of detergent
Method:
Fill the spray bottle with water, add chopped garlic and onion. Screw on the lid and let the solution marinate for two to three days.
After the time has passed, strain the water to remove the vegetables, then add cayenne pepper and dish soap.
If you have problems with the solution being too thick and clogging the nozzle, strain it again through a cloth or coffee filter. Then spray your plants with the homemade solution every few days or after it rains.
Jelle said: “The best time to do this is early in the evening because that's when the slugs and snails come out.”
The homemade spray should repel slugs, as well as other pests such as caterpillars and aphids, to keep your garden plants from becoming prey to the insects.