Keeping bugs from eating your strawberries can be a challenge, especially if you prefer using organic methods. However, there are several effective techniques you can try to keep those pesky pests at bay. I have personally used and had success with the following methods:
1. Hot pepper spray: Create a homemade spray by combining chopped hot peppers with water. Let the mixture sit for a day or two, then strain it and spray it directly onto your strawberry plants. The spicy nature of the peppers repels many insects.
2. Rotten eggs: Mix a few rotten eggs with water and spray it onto your plants. The smell will deter insects, such as aphids and caterpillars, from feasting on your strawberries.
3. Blood meal: Sprinkling blood meal around your strawberry plants acts as a natural repellent for slugs and snails. These pests are repelled by the scent, preventing them from munching on your precious berries.
4. Castor oil: Create a mixture of castor oil and water and spray it onto your plants. This method is particularly effective against beetles and mites.
5. Orange peels: Place orange peels around your strawberry plants to keep ants away. Ants not only eat the strawberries themselves but also protect other insects like aphids, which can cause significant damage to your plants.
6. Soap: Make a solution using mild liquid soap and water. Spray this mixture onto your plants to deter insects like aphids, mites, and thrips. The soap disrupts their cell membranes and suffocates them.
7. Human hair: Collect human hair clippings and place them in a mesh bag. Hang the bag on a tree branch at deer height. Deer are known to be attracted to strawberries, but the scent of human hair acts as a deterrent, keeping them away from your plants.
In addition to these organic methods, it’s important to maintain a healthy garden environment. Ensure your strawberry plants receive adequate sunlight, water them properly, and provide good air circulation. This will enhance the plants’ natural defenses and make them less susceptible to pest attacks.
Regularly inspect your plants for any signs of infestation and promptly remove any affected leaves or berries. By being proactive and implementing these natural pest control techniques, you can enjoy a bountiful strawberry harvest while minimizing damage from bugs.
