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Home made organic way to kill aphids

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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    Believe it or not, NASA has done a study on plants for air purification and has produced a list of which does what - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_Clean_Air_Study

    Dracaenas and peace lilies come out tops.

     

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    For traffic fumes you're surely better off with a plant that filters benzene.   Spider plants don't.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    I was zapping my aphids with soapy water when I spotted a hoverfly darting around. No more soapy spray

    Devon.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    Aym - read the NASA list.  It's houseplants and which pollutants they're good at cleansing.  Spider plants don't do benzene and I assume you want something that would, given your traffic fumes problems. 

    They would have helped with the Damien Hurst dead cow exhibition though.......

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719

    Obelixx where have you been I bought the book several years ago, I think 2011, before we moved here, after reading about NASA,"grow your own Fresh Air".  Peace Lily is the best, followed by Spider Plant, Gerbera, lots of the indoor ferns.New carpets and lots of the paints contain formaldahyde, and lots of other nasties.  I dont think anything I would be allowed to print could "help" Damien Hurst!  Outside Silver Birch work wondered for air polutants, and particulates. 

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    Arum are not the same as peace lily.  Different family - http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/peace-lily/peace-lily-plants.htm

    Gerbera are good.

    We don't have fitted carpets, just a few oriental rugs made from wool and and laid on tiles downstairs or floorboards upstairs and with no chemically underlay or backing.   Don't use chemically cleaning products either except for a descaling spray for the showers as we have hard water.  Otherwise I just use various strength solutions of spirit vinegar and hot water for surfaces and taps.

    Not especially allergic to anything but I didn't want Possum growing up in a chemical house.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719

    Thanks Obelixx, saved me looking up, peace lillies are easy to find a cheap, Spider plants I keep propogating my own.  You can use white venegar for descaling your shower head too, lots of good tips of Kim and Aggies website for natural cleaning stuff.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    HI Nanny.  I do.  I use the spray on the walls, doors and shower pans just cos it's easy.   Next time I install a shower somewhere it will be an Italian walk in with no pesky glass door!

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Rhubarb leaf pesticide, using the plants naturally occurring poisonous oxalic acid is the best organic insecticide I know.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    Aym.  Possum is my daughter, now 21, and no allergies or other health problems.   Doesn't like plants though so something went badly wrong somewhere.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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