By AgroNigeria
One of the
perennial problems that farmers face is pests invasion. Pests are dangerous and
are great threats to the success of any agribusiness.
For
decades, chemical pesticides have been the usual way to control pests on farms.
Sadly, its effect on human’s health has raised concerns and many people have
argued against its use.
Most of
these pesticides are poisonous in nature, though it is the poison that
eradicates the pest. But, at times, these pesticides do have residual effects
on human as a result of the contamination of the crops during its application.
Therefore,
taking preventive measure is better than control. As you plant your crop, there
are some plants you can as well plant simultaneously.
These
plants that are called companion and pest repellant plants help to reduce pest
population and also serve some beneficial purposes, like proper
utilization of space and enhance crop safety through the provision of habitat
for beneficial plants.
Most of
these plants can be harvested and consumed too. Therefore, If you are looking
for plants that repel flies or plants that repel aphids; or plants that repel
bugs, you can plant any of the following plants alongside your crops and get
them protected.
RADISHES
Radishes
are a hardy, cool-season vegetable that can produce many crops each season due
to its rapid days to maturity.
If you
plant cabbage and cucumber, radish will repel cabbage maggot and cucumber
beetles; it will enhance the quality and quantity of your crop. You can as well
consume the radish because it is an edible root vegetable.
Radishes
need sun. If they are planted in too much shade or even where neighboring
vegetable plants shade them, they put all their energy into producing
larger leaves.
The
seeds can be planted in both the raining and dry season, but growth should
be suspended in the warmer months.
ONIONS
This is
another plant that can be used as a pest repellant. Onions can be effective at
controlling insects when used in companion planting, a method of planting that
groups certain plants together to help control pests and promote the best
possible growth.
Damaging
insects, such as maggots, are repelled by the strong smell of onions. Onions
also repel rabbits and cabbage hooper.
Onions are
more effective as companion plants when placed near carrots, lettuce,
chamomile, beets, cabbage, and parsnips.
LETTUCE
Lettuce is
a good companion and pest repellant plant for carrot. It repels carrot flies.
Both can be harvested as they are edible vegetables.
GARLIC
Garlic is
a known spice but can as well be grown as a pest repellant plant. Garlic repels
root maggot, bean beetle, cabbage looper and even rabbit. Garlic is a very
useful plant.
To control
the invasion of aphids, a small insect that adheres to the leaves of plants and
creates small holes, a homemade fresh garlic spray may help.
The
affected plants should be sprayed twice weekly until the problem subsides.
Onion and red pepper can also be added to the soaked mixture for added
repellent strength.
For
maximum potency, the fresh garlic is soaked overnight and then the entire
mixture placed in a spray bottle.
PEPPERMINT
This plant
is another effective pest repellant; it repels aphids, cabbage looper, flea
beetles, squash bugs, and whiteflies. These pests are major threats to crop
production.
For
effective use of peppermint as a pest repellant, drop some dried
peppermint in a sock and tie it off, then place the socks around your farm near
holes, gaps, or any other places you think pests might be gathering.
SPEARMINT
This plant
is a broad spectrum pest repellant plant; it repels fleas, moths, ants, beetle,
rodents, aphids, squash bugs, and cabbage looper.
THYME
Thyme is
another broad-spectrum pest repellant plant; it repels major pests in crop
production. It repels pests like cabbage looper, cabbage maggot, corn earworm,
whiteflies, and tomato hornworms.
TOBACCO
This is an
annual herbaceous plant. This crop repels carrot flies and flea beetles.
CITRONELLA
GRASS OR LEMONGRASS
This grass
originates from tropical Asia; it is from the family of Poaceae, it is
unpalatable, thus, cannot be eaten. This grass repels insects and even
cats.
EUCALYPTUS
Eucalyptus
is a flowering shrub, from the family Myrtaceae; it is widely cultivated
in the tropical and temperate world, including the Americas, Europe, Africa,
the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, China, and the Indian. This plant
repels aphids, cabbage loopers, and Colorado potato beetle.
CROWN IMPERIAL
It is a
flowering plant from the lily family; it is a native of diverse countries,
ranging from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan This plant repels vertebrate
pests like rabbit, mice, moles, and ground squirrel.
You can
plant more than one of these plants on your farm, depending on the prevailing
pests. This is a natural way of controlling pests. With this preventive
measure, you can produce a quality and organic crop for the populace.
Editor/Publisher
