Chilli powder: The kitchen spice that protects your garden from pests

Aphids live in symbiosis with ants. The former secrete honeydew, a sweet nectar that the ants eat. In exchange for access to this nectar, the ants protect the aphids from other pests, including ladybirds.

This symbiotic relationship has serious consequences, as both pests can significantly damage plants. How can you protect your garden from ant and aphid attacks? You don't need any expensive products for this. Just sprinkle a spice that you most likely already have at home.

Ants are regarded as valuable and hardworking creatures. While creating tunnels, they aerate the soil, providing it with valuable nutrients. However, there is one issue. Sometimes, ants attack young plants' roots and buds, hindering their further development. Despite this, they should not be killed, as they are an important part of the ecosystem.

Aphids, on the other hand, are small insects that feed on the sap produced by the shoots, stems, and leaves of plants. They are exceptionally voracious. Like true pests, they reproduce at a rapid pace. If not removed in time, they can cause severe damage to the garden — especially if they start to collaborate with ants.

Have you noticed aphids and ants in your garden? It would be best if you got rid of them as soon as possible. How to do it? You don't need expensive preparations or chemical solid agents. There is a natural and safe way to drive pests out of the garden. You only need one spice that you probably already have at home. That spice is chilli powder. Just sprinkle it where ants and aphids appear, and the pests will flee from the garden. This is thanks to capsaicin, an irritating substance naturally found in chilli. Repeat the procedure once a week, and you’ll forget about aphids and ants for a long time.