natural way to keep bugs off plants..

daisygirl17

So I have a few items planted in my garden...and most are okay, but the bugs seem to be getting the herbs (basil and mint). I wanted to keep the herbs inside, but we don't have very many places to keep them where my cat can't get to them...and she will get to them. So..I'm looking for some natural, safe bug deterring ideas

tokenhoser

Interplanting things like garlic and marigolds can help in the long term.

Short term, you can spray them with something nontoxic. Are they aphids, or do you know? 

CurbsideProphet

I have heard aluminum foil at the base of the plant can help reflect light to the underside of the leaves. This will deter certain insects. I have not tried it myself though. 

mandapanda18

Put some natural/chemical free soap (seventh generation, dr. bronners, etc) in a spary bottle with some water, shake up and then spray your plants a way.

CDMay2006

mandapanda18:

Put some natural/chemical free soap (seventh generation, dr. bronners, etc) in a spary bottle with some water, shake up and then spray your plants a way.

This is what my parents always did growing up (knock on wood, we haven't had to).

cap321

mandapanda18:

Put some natural/chemical free soap (seventh generation, dr. bronners, etc) in a spary bottle with some water, shake up and then spray your plants a way.

I do this and it works great!

cap321

mandapanda18:

Put some natural/chemical free soap (seventh generation, dr. bronners, etc) in a spary bottle with some water, shake up and then spray your plants a way.

I do this and it works great!

daisygirl17

cap321:

mandapanda18:

Put some natural/chemical free soap (seventh generation, dr. bronners, etc) in a spary bottle with some water, shake up and then spray your plants a way.

I do this and it works great!

Ooo this sounds awesome. And cheap because we already have a ton of Dr. B. Wooot. Thanks!

SuperGreen

CDMay2006:

mandapanda18:

Put some natural/chemical free soap (seventh generation, dr. bronners, etc) in a spary bottle with some water, shake up and then spray your plants a way.

This is what my parents always did growing up (knock on wood, we haven't had to).

Third vote for this.  This method works well on fleshy insects like aphids or flea beetles.  I doubt it would work well on catepillars, or something big like a tomato hornworm.  Our sure-fire method of pest control is to just pick them off and throw them into a jar of soapy water.  If you do this every day, there won't be enough to turn into an infestation.