Repel & get rid of those pesky garden bugs naturally!

Insects don't like the strong smell of cinnamon. Sprinkle cinnamon on and around your plants to get rid of spider mites, white flies, and other common pests. You can also use cinnamon sticks in problem areas or create a mix of water and cinnamon and use as a spray. Mix 2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder with a quart of water and mix well. Allow to sit for 24 hours before using. Cinnamon spray is also good for getting rid of fungus. 

Use as a spray by combining 1 oz of cider with 3 oz of water to kill off aphids. Could be harmful if used too much. In order to control Fungus Gnats simply pour the apple cider vinegar into a small container with little depth next to your plants. The scent attracts bugs and kills them on upon contact. 

Use as a spray by mixing 1 cup of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to 1 cup of distilled water. Soak infected plants including the undersides of leaves to get rid of aphids, spider mites, gnats & larvae. Apply once a week. For plants with root rot or fungal infections, use 1 tablespoon per cup of water. HP acts as an oxygen supplement for plants. *Test on a few leaves first and wait 3 days. If leaves are ok treat plant. 

Aphids hate bananas!! Mince up a banana peel then bury 1-2 inches deep in the soil around the base of the affected plant, and the aphids will go away.  Also, you can deter aphids by wiping the inside of a banana peel on both sides of a plants leaves. 

*Banana peels make a great fertilizer too!

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Organic Authority recommends places small pieces of orange peel around the affected plant or if possible creating a small tear and attaching the peel directly to the stem. The scent of an orange peel repels ants and aphids away from the plant and orange peels contain d-Limonene, a natural chemical that destroys the waxy coating on ants & aphids. 

Mixing 1 cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 quart of water in a clean spray bottle and apply to plants infected by aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, red spider mites, fungus gnats, scale, thirps, etc. Test on a leaf first. If the leaf burns use less alcohol. This mixture dries out and kills the bugs and their eggs. 

Simply mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap with one quart of water. Then spray and wipe the mixture onto the leaves, stems, and buds of the plant. If you have several plants to treat mix 5 tablespoons of dish soap per 1 gallon of water. Mix thoroughly and pour into a clean spray bottle.

Lady bugs are aphid predators. Each lady bug may eat up to 50 aphids a day. They do not fly at night so releasing them at sundown is recommended. 

Common garden pests that are destructive to plants are aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, scales, leaf miners, and Tabebuia Thirps specific to the Tabebuia tree. As your seedlings and trees are growing keep your eye out for these nuisances.