A TikTok user has gone ahead and shared a homemade pest repellent that’s like, totally perfect for gardeners who are struggling with flies, snails, and slugs chomping on their plants during the summer months. Slugs, in particular, can be a real pain in the you-know-what when it comes to wreaking havoc in gardens and destroying all your hard work. I mean, seriously, these critters have no chill when it comes to feasting on your precious plants, damaging delicate leaves, and basically just making your flowers work twice as hard to survive.
If you’re out there tending to your plants, then you already know the struggle of dealing with pests like slugs, snails, and those annoying flies. These little troublemakers love nothing more than to munch on your freshly grown plants, especially when it’s all damp and dark outside. It’s like they come out to play at night, making it nearly impossible to catch them in the act and stop them before they wreck your garden.
But fear not, my fellow gardeners, because one genius gardener has come to the rescue with a homemade repellent recipe that could keep those slugs and other pests at bay for as little as 55p. That’s right, you heard me — 55p! A TikTok newbie named Ellie, who’s basically a first-time gardener, has been dealing with flies and other creepy crawlies chowing down on her flowers and veggies. But thanks to her father-in-law’s brilliant idea, she’s been using garlic to tackle the problem, and let me tell you, the results have been pretty darn impressive so far.
Ellie spilled the beans (or should I say garlic?) on her secret weapon, saying, “As suggested by my father-in-law, a cheap and eco-friendly way to repel these pests is actually to use garlic. So here I am, chopping up the garlic into a fine paste and putting it into a spray bottle. Just fill ‘er up with water and spray it directly onto your plants. This stuff works like a charm on pests like flies and slugs, and you can use it on most plants because it’s super natural. It’s just garlic, but I’ve heard of people throwing some lemon in there too.”
Gardener’s World even backs up the garlic hack, saying it’s a legit method to keep slugs and snails away from your garden. But here’s the catch — you gotta keep applying it regularly to make sure it stays effective as a natural alternative to those harsh chemical pest repellents. Their advice is to throw two whole bulbs of garlic into a saucepan with two liters of water, boil it up until it’s soft, squash those bulbs down, strain out the skins, dilute the solution, and then spray or water your plants once a week or after rain. Easy peasy, right?
But wait, there’s more! Besides whipping up some garlic spray, there are other ways to kick those unwanted guests out of your garden. Like, did you know that mixing a tablespoon of dish soap with water can take care of aphids and whiteflies? And get this — a tablespoon of chili powder mixed with water can keep pesky insects from chowing down on your plants. It’s like a spicy surprise for them!
Oh, and don’t forget about setting up natural barriers around your plants to protect them from pest damage. Floating row covers can help keep cabbage worms and beetles at bay, while organic mulch like straw or woodchips can deter pests and keep your soil healthy. And get this — certain plants can even act as natural pest repellents. Marigolds are like the bouncers of the garden, keeping whiteflies and aphids in check, while basil can shoo away flies, mosquitoes, and some beetles. It’s like having your own personal bug bodyguard.
So there you have it, folks. Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by those pesky pests in your garden, just remember that a little garlic can go a long way in keeping them at bay. It’s like a natural bug spray, but without all the harmful chemicals. Happy gardening!
