" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">
Identifying pests
One of the most helpful habits when you have plants is observation. Take a few minutes a day to look at your plants, if you can, touch their leaves and familiarize yourself with what they look like. I usually do it in the mornings while drinking coffee and this constant observation will allow you to immediately notice any change or alteration in the plant that can betray the presence of bugs.
You should be on the lookout for changes in the coloration of the leaves, if they have gaps, if they are broken, if they have fallen off, or if the plant looks sad or dull.
In the event of any change, check very closely, look in the stems, underside and leaf crevices, finally in the substrate. Check to see if you see any tiny insects walking on the soil or stems, if there are any flying ones, dots or adhesions. These are all symptoms of pests and diseases. It's time to get down to business.
Recipes for Removing Bugs and Insects from Plants
1. Natural repellent with eggshells
Eggshells are rich in calcium carbonate and while they can be used as fertilizer, if you let them dry and grind very well with a food processor or mortar and pestle, you can use them as a repellent for insects such as slugs and snails. You just have to spread it out in a circle around the plant you need to protect.
2. Homemade Onion Insecticide
Take a couple of onions and blend them with a little water. Dilute in water and leave the mixture in a bottle overnight. Pass through a sieve to remove the fibers and use with a sprinkler on your plants. This insecticide is indicated to combat pests of spider mites, aphids and whiteflies.
3. Homemade insecticide with garlic
The strong smell of garlic is fantastic for scaring away insects (and vampires). Preparing it is simple. All you have to do is mix a head of garlic, a couple of cloves and half a liter of water in the blender. Place in a glass bottle and let sit for 24 hours. Dissolve this mixture in 3 litres of water and spray directly onto your plants. It is ideal for eliminating the annoying aphid.
4. Hydrogen peroxide as a fungicide for plants
Hydrogen peroxide can help plant roots absorb nutrients from the soil more efficiently, thanks to the extra oxygen it has. But most importantly, it has bactericidal and fungicidal properties, making it a perfect eco-friendly option for eliminating fungi and pests. You should only mix 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide in half a liter of water and use it directly on the soil of the plant, avoiding watering the foliage. It can be very helpful in cases of mild root rot.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
Kalmer Planter - L/19cm
€22.00
Ceramics with a rustic touch
Toronto Pot - XL/22cm
€26.00
5. Uses of Vinegar as an Insecticide for Plants
Vinegar is magical. You can use it to clean, remove odors, liven up your hair, and also as a fertilizer and repellent for your plants. It is advisable to use apple cider vinegar, but any other could work.
To improve the pH condition of the soil and stimulate the absorption of iron, especially in acidophilic plants, you can use one cup of vinegar in 3 liters of water to water the plants.
If you want to use vinegar as an ant repellent, spray it directly onto the anthill undiluted. To get rid of weeds, you can also use it directly undiluted. To take advantage of its repellent and fertilizing properties in potted plants, dissolve 2 tablespoons in 3 liters of water and spray the plant with this mixture.
6. Homemade Repellent with Vegetable Oil
The mixture of 2 parts vegetable oil with 1/2 part liquid soap (can be dishwasher) is a fantastic repellent to combat mealybug, aphid, spider mite and caterpillar pests. Spray your plants with this mixture, preferably when there is not much sun (in the late afternoon or very early in the morning) to prevent it from affecting the leaves of the plant.