A beautiful and healthy garden requires constant attention and care. Unfortunately, there are numerous insects and pests that can affect your plants, flowers, and vegetables, reducing yield and destroying the beauty of your garden.
1. Aphids (Plant Lice)
Dangers Aphids can transmit plant viruses and attract other harmful insects such as ants. Their sweet secretions (honeydew) can also encourage mold growth.
How to Protect Yourself From Aphids Plant companion flowers: Plants like marigolds or nasturtiums attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, which feed on aphids.
Using insecticidal soap: Spray a mixture of insecticidal soap and water directly on aphids to eliminate them.
Manual cleaning: Remove aphids by spraying plants with a strong jet of water or manually removing them.
2. Slugs and Snails Description Slugs and snails are mollusks that feed on the leaves, flowers, and stems of plants, leaving behind holes and trails of mucus.
Dangers These pests can quickly destroy young plants and compromise harvests, especially during wet periods.
How to Protect Yourself From Slugs and Snails Wood ash and coffee grounds: Sprinkle wood ash or coffee grounds around plants to create a barrier that slugs cannot cross.
Beer traps: Bury containers with beer at ground level. Slugs will be attracted by the smell and fall into the trap.
Plant natural barriers: Plants such as lavender, rosemary, and thyme are repelled by slugs and can act as a natural barrier.
3. Beetles and Their Larvae Description Beetles are large insects, and in their larval stage (known as white grubs), they feed on the roots of plants, weakening them and causing death.
Dangers Beetle larvae can cause significant damage to lawns and plant roots, leading to yellowing and drying.
