Visit a local cafe and after you have had a coffee, ask if they can spare some used coffee grounds, sprinkle it around to make borders. Aphids apparently can be controlled by companion planting so that good bugs eat them, need to attract lady beetles. Also make sure that the soil is healthy, plants are getting the right nutrition because a lot of bugs will eat unhealthy plants. You can also try garlic spray. Go to Yates website and ask them, they have a chat function for free.

Love it, just planting my own garden, very interested in these answers. I also read on here about sprinkling black pepper around the plants. Not sure what works and what doesn’t, but I’ll use all 3 suggestions. The spray, the coffee grounds and the pepper. Thanks for your help

I tend to go straight to the Gardening Australia website with these types of questions. I’m also keen to investigate companion planting as that would assist.

Good luck!

Used coffee grinds sprinkled around plants keep the pests away.

I’ve heard sprinkling egg shells around the base of the plants work but I’m not sure if this is just for snails.

If your kids like picking up bugs etc make a game out of it…who can catch the most in 10 minutes…..then pour boiling water over them NOT in front of the kids.
or make a garlic and water spray…..or google companion planting.

I’d like an answer too as I like to grow spinach and kale but the bugs make it not worth my while. Do the garlic/ chilli sprays work and do they affect the taste of your home grown veggies?

I don’t know much about caterpillars but for snails sprinkle egg shells around the base of your veggies and they won’t cross. Amazing what yiu can learn on dirt girl world lol!

If you like pet guinea fowl will eat the bugs and should leave your garden intact

I’ve heard that coffee grinds sprinkled around the base of plants work. But also crushed egg shells as they don’t like crawling over them.

If you arer staaying organic you need to check what is is the liquid soap you add too.
Check Pyrethrum. It is derived from the pyrethrum flower and the insects hate it.

Chop and grind one garlic bulb and one small onion. Add 1 teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper and mix with 4-5 cups of water. Leave to sit for 1 hour and then strain through cheesecloth. Add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap to the strained liquid and mix well. Spray your plants thoroughly, including leaf undersides. Store the mixture for up to 1 week in a labelled, covered container in the refrigerator. Remember to wear gloves and keep away from your eyes!