Gardeners are being encouraged to use garlic on their lawns this summer to combat two common pests: slugs and aphids. The pungent cloves, typically used for cooking, have scientifically proven pest-repellent properties.
How Garlic Works Against Pests
Slugs can strip away almost any plant, including tomatoes, potatoes, raspberries, and strawberries. Aphids breed rapidly and drain nutrients from plant stalks, causing wilting. While recent heatwaves have kept slugs at bay during the day, they remain active at night when temperatures drop.
According to The Garlic Farm, garlic can be turned into a spray that repels both pests. The farm notes: "Its sulphurous compounds have another, less obvious but just as useful benefit: they can act as a natural repellent for many common insects."
Making the Garlic Spray
To create the repellent, peel a whole garlic bulb and blend it with 235ml of water. Puree or finely chop the cloves, then mix well. Add another 700ml of water and 30ml of liquid soap, then let the mixture sit overnight. Strain it through muslin or a mesh strainer, then spray it on plants, lawns, and other affected areas in the evenings. Reapply every evening or after rainfall for best results.
