Gardening expert shares ‘harmless’ solutions for removing pests amid infestation warning

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Pests are a common occurrence in most British gardens, even if you care for them correctly. If you’re currently battling pests and are looking for a natural solution to remove them, founder of plant subscription box Lazy Flora, Claire Ransom, has shared her knowledge exclusively with Express.co.uk. Claire said there is one “really important” thing you must do if you start to notice pests.

She said: “It’s really important when you notice a pest, you need to make sure you quarantine that plant if you can. If it’s not in the ground.

“If it’s in a container or if it’s indoors, if you notice any kind of pest, get it away from everything else as quickly as you can because those things spread.

“Click your fingers and you’ve got a whole infestation so definitely isolate them from anything else.

“If it’s in the ground, it’s a bit more difficult but there are some really good treatments.

“There’s a really effective one called neem oil which is organic.

“It’s not a pesticide but it does kill pests – it doesn’t have any harmful chemicals.”

Claire said neem oil can take care of the majority of “low level pests”.

As well as neem oil, Claire suggested using washing up liquid.

DON’T MISS
Oven cleaning: Mrs Hinch fans left ‘amazed’ by baking soda hack [INSIGHT]
Prince Harry ‘trying to impress’ by swearing in interview – expert [UPDATE]
How to repair bare patches on your garden lawn [ANALYSIS]

The gardening expert said diluting washing up liquid is another way of dealing with pests without harming your plants.

She suggested trying to use as “harmless” an option as possible before using other solutions.

Claire said she had a tree last year that had an “awful” aphid infestation.

“I didn’t catch it quickly enough,” she added.

“But I did manage to isolate the whole tree and took it off my balcony and put it downstairs away from absolutely everything.”

She said she let the pest solutions do their work but that it is a “long, slow process” to get rid of them.

She said: “We’ll see how that plant fairs this year.”

Lazy Flora’s subscription box offers a variety of outdoor plants, indoor plants and edible plants to individuals who perhaps don’t have access to a garden centre.

Every plant Lazy Flora offers has a plant care guide which describes what conditions your plant will thrive best in.

Even those who have a reputation for killing plants can find out how often their plants need watering, what humidity they prefer and when they flower.

Claire founded Lazy Flora in 2017 after finding it difficult to create an urban oasis on her city balcony.

She began looking for a plant subscription delivery service, and when she couldn’t find one, decided to start her own.

Source: Read Full Article