If Aphids Are Taking Over Your Garden, Epsom Salt Is Just What You Need

Despite their small size, aphids are some of the most destructive garden pests you'll find in a garden. They feed off of liquid inside plant tissue, slowly removing the nutrients and destroying the plant. Fortunately, there is a simple and easily accessible way to ensure that your garden is safe from these invasive pests. Aphids are easily deterred by Epsom salt, a common item that you likely already have on a shelf in your pantry. When combined with soap and water, it makes the perfect aphid do-it-yourself repellent.

Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects that are drawn to the nectar in plants. In fact, the sugary liquid from stems, leaves, and roots is the only thing that aphids eat, making groups of these tiny bugs a huge problem. But, if a gardener notices the signs of an aphid invasion early on, creating and utilizing an Epsom salt spray could be the difference between a thriving garden and a nonexistent one.

Unlike other do-it-yourself pest deterrents, this hack isn't as simple as surrounding the base of your plant with a ring of Epsom salt. However, it is nearly as quick and extremely accessible. To start, gather your materials. You will need liquid soap, water, a spray bottle, and, of course, Epsom salt. Thoroughly mix together 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt, 2 teaspoons of liquid soap and 1 gallon of water before pouring your mixture into a spray bottle. Secure the bottle's lid and shake it well until the contents are evenly distributed.

Once your solution is prepared, it's time to integrate it into your garden and regain control of your plants. Apply a coat generously and evenly on the leaves and stems of every plant affected. Not only will the solution repel aphids, but it is safe for your plants and repulsive to other uninvited pests.

Despite only being made of three simple ingredients, your new anti-aphid solution spray works in eliminating plant lice in numerous ways. The majority of the solution is water, which is capable of rinsing small pests like aphids off of plants on its own. However, for the stubborn aphids that stick around, the remaining solution can take over. Liquid soap is often used in do-it-yourself pest deterrents because it does not harm the plants and helps to ensure your solution sticks onto the plants to allow the Epsom salt to take effect.

Water and soap are important to this hack, but Epsom salt is the star of the show and the main ingredient that individualizes this solution to target aphids specifically. Epsom salt solution is believed to kill aphids on contact and repel other aphids from visiting. Not to mention, Epsom salt includes magnesium sulfate, providing plants with vital nutrients while directly attacking insects.