Stop slugs and aphids from invading gardens by growing 1 simple pest deterrent

Spotting mushrooms sprouting in your garden is usually a good sign as it indicates the soil is brimming with health and packed with organic goodness. But there's another perk to cultivating fungi– they canfend off pests like slugs, snails and aphids, no nasty chemicals required.

Mushroom expert Waine Delaney from SporeBuddies has shared the secret to harnessing mushrooms for pest control, including how to whip up your own mushroom pest repellent for a healthier garden ecosystem. He reveals that entomopathogenic mushrooms are top of the class when it comes to pest deterrence.

These fungi churn out microscopic spores that latch onto insects, germinate, grow and gobble up the insect from the inside out.

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While they're ace at keeping pests in check, they won't harm helpful insects such as bees, butterflies or ladybirds, and they're totally safe for humans, pets and birds. You can pick up entomopathogenic mushrooms in liquid and powder form from garden centres.

Edible mushrooms

However, it isn't just entomopathogenic mushrooms that can help with pest control; any edible mushrooms you currently have in your fridge can also be used. These mushrooms often contain certain bioactive compounds that are antifungal, antimicrobial, and insect-repelling.

Different edible mushroom varieties ward off different pests, so make sure you've chosen the right type before deploying fungi for pest control.

What mushrooms should you use?

• Oyster mushrooms are good for deterring slugs, snails, aphids, and greenflies.
• Shiitake mushrooms will deter caterpillars, aphids, and greenflies.
• Button or white mushrooms can protect your plants from greenflies and aphids.
• King oyster mushrooms will deter slugs and snails.

How to make your own mushroom pest repellent

Waine has shared some tips for making your own pest repellent from any mushrooms you may have in your fridge. Start by placing the mushrooms in a blender or food processor with water, and blend until you get a smooth mixture.

Next, sieve the mixture through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a jug to get rid of any remaining chunky bits that could clog up the spray and stop it working properly.

Waine suggests incorporating various essential oils into the mixture, explaining: "You can also increase the pest-repelling by adding things like peppermint oil, rosemary, garlic extract (good for slugs and snails), or neem oil (good against caterpillars, greenfly, and aphids)."

Gently decant the solution into a spray bottle, topping up with additional water if needed.

Give it a good shake before every application and spritz straight onto the foliage, remembering to cover the undersides, stalks, and soil around your plants' base.

Repeat the treatment every few days, particularly following rainfall.