Aphids - who doesn't know them, these annoying beasts that suck the plants dry and rob them of their nutrients. The stinging hairs of the nettle come in handy. They can be used to destroy these pests and other vermin.
How do nettles help against aphids?
Stinging nettles are an effective, natural remedy against aphids. By making nettle manure or nettle broth, the formic acid it contains can be used to combat pests such as aphids, spider mites and whiteflies. The plants should be regularly sprayed or watered with the undiluted manure or broth, but not in direct sunlight.
Formic acid against lice
The stinging hairs of the nettle make it possible. At its uppermost tip there is a kind of head that bursts open when touched and releases an acid it contains. This is formic acid. This acid kills aphids, but also spider mites and whiteflies.
Make nettle manure or nettle broth
In order to obtain a usable pesticide from the nettle, the plant should be made into a manure or a decoction. Both liquids are effective. However, the manure requires a little more patience and can e.g. B. can also be used as an effective fertilizer if the amount is too large.
If the nettles are placed in water, the 'heads' containing the poison also open. The formic acid is released into the water. The manure also releases the silica from the leaves, which strengthens the cell walls of the plants and has a preventative effect against vermin.
Stinging nettle manure: it takes 1 to 2 weeks
How to process the nettle into a manure:
- Harvesting and chopping nettles
- Add 1 kg of nettles to 10 liters of water
- wait 1 to 2 weeks
- stir regularly
- Manure is ready when no more bubbles form
Stinging nettle broth: wait 12 to 24 hours
The only thing that changes with the nettle broth or broth is the soaking time or waiting time. If you make the brew in the evening, you can use it the next morning. Unlike manure, it is not fermented and is less rich in nutrients.
How manure/broth is used against aphids
Anyone who sees the success will probably refrain from fighting nettles in the future
- Use undiluted manure/broth
- Put in a spray bottle (€27.00 on Amazon) and spray plants
- Broth can also be poured over it
- Repeat application regularly
- check for new pest infestation
Tip
Never spray or water your plants with the nettle liquid in sunlight! The leaves could be damaged and burn, for example.
