We were gifted some lettuce from a garden yesterday and when I had it in the sink to wash, a grasshopper jumped out! Immediately our son was trying to catch it and this morning we thought he had escaped his temporary home, but it was his friend. Now there are two grasshoppers comfortably hanging out until the big release.
Due to the visit of our new little guests, I started thinking about ways someone could naturally repel these friendly creatures from the garden. Here are 10 suggestions:
Garlic Spray: Mix minced garlic with water and spray around your plants.
Hot pepper spray: Mix hot peppers with water and spray around the garden. The capsaicin, which is an active component of chili peppers, repel grasshoppers.
Neem oil: A natural repellent that can be sprayed on plants.
Diatomaceous earth: A powder made from fossilized algae that can dehydrate and kill grasshoppers. Sprinkle around plants.
Companion planting: Planting certain flowers and herbs like basil, marigolds and mint alongside your crops can repel grasshoppers.
Soap solution: Mix dish soap with water and spray around your plants.
Predatory insects: Encourage ladybugs and lacewings to be present as they feed on grasshoppers.
Physical barriers: Use fine mesh screens or row covers to prevent grasshoppers from feasting on your plants.
Essential oils: Use certain essential oils to repel grasshoppers.
Crop rotation: Rotate your crops seasonally to break the lifecycle of grasshoppers and reduce infestations.
Since I tend to lean the most on my essential oils for help, I recommend making a spray bottle with peppermint, lemongrass, and citronella. Mix with water and spray around the garden.
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