fact sheet

ECO PESTICIDES

PEST managEmEnT TIP

f encourage native birds into your garden with bird houses, water baths and native flowering vegetation. They will eat many times their own weight in insects.

ORganIC gaRDEn PEST managEmEnT Organic gardening is a means of controlling unwanted pests naturally without the use of dangerous pesticides. There are many ways to control unwanted garden pests naturally that are cheap, easy and good for the earth. Organic pest and insect repellents are typically made up of essential oils and other ingredients that won’t leave a toxic residue in the soil, on the plant or be problematic for other animals or birds.

YOUR ESSEnTIaL IngREDIEnTS f oil f water f liquid soap f chilli f garlic f onion f seaweed f molasses

HOW TO gaRDEn gREEn

f STOP using pesticides

f CREATE a natural garden full of diverse plants and herbs that act as natural repellents

f ATTRACT natural predators (beneficial bugs) which will deter unwanted pests

f OBSERVE your garden for signs of pests

f TREAT any affected areas with natural remedies.

Interested in learning more?

Why not refer to the natural cleaning guide to find out how you can clean your home with fewer chemicals.

Printed using a waterless printing process that reduces toxins entering our waterways and minimises water use. Printed on Cyclus Print Matt. 100% recycled paper made entirely from 100% de-inked post-consumer waste fibre. ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) and ISO 9001/ISO 14001.

For more information on home recycling visit council’s website at www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au

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COmPanIOn PLanTIngCertain plants when grouped together can control pests by providing shade and shelter, as well as a balance in nutrients required by neighbouring plants.

Some foods that taste great together also grow well together: f plant your tomatoes with basil, the aroma of the

basil plants will hide the scent of the tomatoes f tall sweet corn shelters pumpkin from full sun

and wind, and the large leaves of the pumpkin protect the shallow roots of the corn.

naTURaL PESTICIDES

White Oil (deters scale)

f 1 cup cooking oil f 1 ½ cups water f 1 tsp liquid soap f dilute this mixture at a rate of 3 teaspoons

to 500 millilitres of water.

Onion Spray (helps to control aphids, thrips, mites and scale)

f pour approx 500 millilitres of boiling water over 1 kilogram chopped onions (including skins) f stand covered for 24 hours f strain and dilute with 20 litres of water or f combine 50 millilitres of liquid,

with 2 litres of water f add 2 teaspoons of liquid soap and shake well.

Spray plants every two weeks until clear of pests. Respray plants as soon as possible if exposed to rainfall.

Chilli Spray (deters ants, aphids, caterpillars and other soft bodied insects)

f 20+ hot chillies f 1 litre of boiling water f blend chillies with some of the boiling water.

Add the rest of the water along with 1 teaspoon of liquid soap until combined f strain the liquid.

Spray directly on the plants when required – no need to dilute. Multiple applications may be required.

Molasses Spray (deters caterpillars and chewing pests and has been used

as a possum repellent with some success)

f 1 tablespoon molasses f 1 litre warm water f 1 teaspoon of liquid soap f blend well.

Spray regularly over the leaves of affected plants.

Seaweed Spray (reduces mildew)

f place seaweed in a bucket f cover with water f cover and leave for two weeks f strain and dilute 1:1, plus combine 1 teaspoon

of liquid soap per litre of water before spraying.

Chive Spray (reduces mildew on zucchini and squash plants)

f 1 cup roughly chopped chives f 3 cups boiling water f cover and leave for 24 hours f strain and dilute 1:1, and then combine

1 teaspoon of liquid soap per litre of water before spraying.

Note: remember to compost all the strained organic remnants after making your natural pesticides.

ORganIC DETERREnTSsnails: surround your plants with coffee grounds, crushed egg shells, sawdust, rocks or salt. Use a saucer of beer around the base to drown them, remove them regularly and replenish beer.scale: spray the underside of leaves and branches with white oil. Citrus are very prone to scale.fruit fly: The best organic control method is exclusion, using either waxed paper or cloth bags. These can be purchased (refer to suppliers online). You can make cloth bags with drawstring ties that will fit over each individual fruit as it starts growing. These can be washed and reused each fruiting season.

References: McFarlane, Annette; 2007; Organic Vegetable Gardening’, published by ABC Books. Readers Digest; 1997; Back to Basics; Readers Digest (Australia) Pty Limited