Aphids and scale insects pose a significant threat to plants, feeding on their sap and draining them until they wilt away. While numerous commercial pesticides exist, many contain harmful chemicals that could potentially do more damage to the ecosystem.
Luckily, traditional wisdom offers remedies from Grandma’s handbook – effective yet harmless. Baking soda, for example, acts as a natural acaricide, non-toxic and fungicidal. It can prevent and eliminate pest infestations without harming our planet.
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Why does it work? It’s simple; baking soda changes the pH of the leaves, making them unappetizing to insects that prefer an acidic or neutral environment.
We even have two options to prepare two almost instant pest-control solutions.
Let’s explore them together.
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Aphids and Scale Insects Disappear Instantly with This Natural Pest Repellent
Baking soda has a high insecticidal power. Combined with other natural ingredients, it proves to be highly effective in eradicating or preventing mite and scale insect infestations.
The first option involves using Marseille soap. Here are the proportions:
- 1 liter of water
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of liquid Marseille soap (preferably organic and unscented)
Get a clean spray bottle with a one-liter capacity and a funnel.
In a container, dissolve the baking soda in water, then add the soap and mix thoroughly. Transfer it to the spray bottle and spray this mixture on the underside of the leaves every other day after sunset until aphids are eliminated. Avoid doing it during the day since soap reacts to UV rays and could burn the foliage.
