| How to Prevent a Hip Replacement Posted: 05 Aug 2020 01:00 AM PDT Hip pain can make it hard to get through your day, and it might stop you from doing the things you love. Your doctor might recommend you get a hip replacement if your pain is severe, which is often due to arthritis.[1] You'll be happy to learn that you might be able to prevent a hip replacement. However, check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or exercise plan. [Edit]Making Diet and Lifestyle Changes - Lose weight if you're overweight. Losing weight can be really hard, but carrying excess body weight increases the pressure on your joints, including your hips. Talk to your doctor about your target weight range and whether or not losing weight will help you. Then, eat a healthy diet and exercise to help you reach and maintain your target weight.[2]
- Try staying active by biking, swimming, or walking since it can help keep your joints working properly.
- Talk to your doctor before beginning a new diet and exercise plan.
- Ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian if you need help planning a healthy diet.[3] of weight on your body puts 3 to 6 times as much pressure on your hip joints. That means losing might take of pressure off of your hips.[4]}}
- Choose foods that may help strengthen your bones and joints. You don't need to follow a special diet for healthy hips, but there are a few foods you might want to try. Some foods contain nutrients that support healthy bones and joints, and incorporating them into your diet may help preserve your hips for longer. Eat more of the following to potentially protect your bone and joint health:[5]
- Leafy greens and spinach
- Dairy
- Almonds
- Soybeans
- Tofu
- Salmon and ocean trout
- Shellfish
- Fortified foods
- Manage joint discomfort with NSAIDs if your doctor says it's okay. Coping with hip pain can be frustrating, especially if your hips hurt often. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) may relieve pain and swelling in your joint. By managing your pain, you may be able to delay or prevent a hip replacement. Ask your doctor if it's safe for you to take NSAIDs. If so, take them exactly as directed on the label.[6]
- NSAIDs aren't right for everyone. Your doctor may recommend you take a different pain reliever, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), instead.
- If you don't want to take NSAIDs, try relieving your pain with regular massage or acupuncture around your hips.
- Take chondroitin and glucosamine supplements to support healthy cartilage. You may want to add supplements to your diet to support your joint health. There's some evidence that chondroitin may help protect your cartilage, while glucosamine might help your body make more. These supplements may not work for everyone, so there's no guarantee they'll help. Talk to your doctor to make sure it's safe for you to take the supplements, then use them as directed on the label.[7]
- You can buy chondroitin and glucosamine at a drugstore, health food store, vitamin shop, or online.
- Wear supportive, flexible shoes to minimize the impact on your joints. You likely enjoy being active, but any physical activity, including just walking around, puts pressure on your hip joints. To ease that pressure, pick shoes that support your feet and have a flexible sole for added support. When shopping for shoes, try them on at the end of the day or after exercise when your feet are puffy. Make sure you can wiggle your toes, then walk around a bit to see if the shoes feel comfortable.[8]
- Consider having a shop assistant measure your feet so you know you're getting the right size.
- Try to wear supportive footwear most of the time. You might even get a supportive pair of house slippers for when you're hanging out at home.
[Edit]Stretching and Strengthening Your Hips - Practice simple range of motion stretches for a low-impact exercise. Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Move your pelvis in a circular motion as if you were using a hula hoop. Do about 5 rotations clockwise before switching directions for another 5 rotations.
- Do a seated hip abductor stretch using a resistance band. This exercise is an easy way to start strengthening your hips. Sit up straight in a chair with a resistance band wrapped around your knees. Slowly spread your knees as far as you comfortably can, then pause for 1-2 seconds. Slowly close your legs back together to complete 1 rep.[9]
- Do 2 sets of 8-12 reps 2-3 times per week.
- Do modified leg lifts while lying on your stomach. Try this modified version of a leg lift if you're just starting to exercise your hips. Lie face down on your stomach and stretch out. Then, lift 1 leg up into the air, keeping your knee straight. Hold for 1-2 seconds. Slowly lower your leg back down to the floor to complete 1 rep.[10]
- Do 2 sets of 8-12 reps on each side 2-3 times per week.
- Perform standing leg lifts when you feel strong enough. After you've mastered modified leg lifts, you might be ready to try them while standing up. Position a sturdy chair in front of you and hold onto the back of it for support. Lean forward at about a 45-degree angle. Keeping your left leg straight, slowly lift your right leg up behind you as high as you comfortably can, keeping your knee straight. Hold for 1-2 seconds, then slowly lower your leg to the ground to complete 1 rep.[11]
- Do 2 sets of 12 reps on each side 2-3 times per week.
- Open up your hips with clamshells. Clamshells are a simple exercise that target your glutes and thighs, which support your hips.[12] Lie down on your side with your knees bent and your legs stacked. Support your head with your bottom arm. Slowly lift the top knee as far as you can, opening your legs like a clamshell. Hold for 1 second, then slowly lower your leg back to start to complete 1 rep.[13]
- Do 2 sets of 12 reps on each side 2-3 times per week.
- Don't let your hip tilt back as you lift your knee. It may help to place your top arm at the back of your hip to remind you to keep your hips straight.
- Perform lunges to target your hips and thighs. Lunges can be a challenging exercise, so listen to your body and go at your own pace.[14] Stand up straight with your legs about hip-width apart. Step forward with 1 leg, then slowly bend your knees to lower your body down toward the floor. Stop when your knees are in 90-degree angles or when you feel uncomfortable. Hold for 2-3 seconds, then rise back up to start to complete 1 rep.[15]
- Do 2 sets of 8-12 reps on each side 2-3 times per week.
- Don't let your front knee go out past your toes. Additionally, don't push your body farther than it can go. It's okay if you need to modify the exercise by not going down very far.
- Perform dumbbell squats to work your lower body muscles. Stand up straight with your legs shoulder-width apart. Extend your arms at your sides and hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your body. Bend your knees and slowly lower your body as far as you comfortably can, trying to go down about if possible. Hold for 1-2 seconds, then slowly come back up to complete 1 rep.[16]
- Do 2 sets of 8-12 repetitions 2-3 times per week.
- You don't need dumbbells to do squats since it's already a bodyweight exercise.
- Don't let your knees go out past your toes. Additionally, stop doing squats and call your doctor if you experience any pain.
- Try the happy baby yoga pose to help open your hips. Lie on your back and bend your knees up to your chest. Grab the sides of your feet with your hands and pull them up so your soles face the ceiling. Gently rock your body from side to side to relax your back and try to straighten your legs so your knees aren't bent. Hold the position for 10–15 seconds before letting go and squeezing your knees tight against your body.[17]
- You may also try standing with your feet together and your knees slightly bent and arms straight up to complete the chair pose.[18] Try balancing on one foot and extending one of your legs straight back to add in the drinking bird position.[19]
- This stretch also helps stretch your piriformis muscle, which connects your leg to your pelvis.
[Edit]Getting Medical Treatment - Check with your doctor before starting a new diet, exercise plan, or supplement. You probably want to do everything you can to protect your hips, but it's important to run these changes by your doctor first. Your doctor can help you make diet and exercise choices that are right for your medical needs. Additionally, they can help you make sure the supplements you want to take are safe for you. Always consult your doctor before making changes and get their advice.[20]
- This is especially important if you're taking any medications.
- Tell your doctor you're specifically worried about your hips. They may be able to recommend changes to help protect your hips.
- Ask your doctor if cortisone shots are right for you. Painful hip joints may be hard to bear at times. Fortunately, your doctor may be able to give you cortisone shots in your hip to reduce pain and inflammation. Not only will you feel better, but the reduction in inflammation may temporarily slow damage to your hip. Talk to your doctor to find out if this treatment is right for you.[21]
- When you get a hip injection, your doctor will have you lie on a table. They'll clean your hip area and give you a numbing agent to minimize discomfort. Then, they'll use an X-ray to find the right spot for your injection. Your doctor will use a dye to illuminate the area, then they'll inject you with cortisone.[22]
- Work with a physical therapist to learn exercises you can do. While you can exercise on your own, seeing a physical therapist can help you learn proper form for your exercises. Ask your doctor to refer you to a physical therapist who can help you strengthen your hips. During your sessions, focus on learning the exercises and ask which ones you can do at home.[23]
- Your physical therapy appointments may be covered by your insurance, so check your benefits.
- Talk to your doctor about your specific needs. They can offer you targeted advice for improving your hip health.
- Check if there are infrared saunas near you since sitting in them can help relieve your joint pain.
- Stress can weaken your joints and immune system, so practice relaxation techniques and get a good night's rest to help stay calm.
[Edit]Warnings - Check with your doctor before starting a new diet or exercise plan and before taking supplements.
- Listen to your body when you're exercising and don't push yourself too hard. You might accidentally injure yourself if you push your body past its limits.
- Avoid overstretching since it can lead to hip injuries.
[Edit]References |
| How to Choose the Perfect Light Bulb for Your Lighting Fixture Posted: 04 Aug 2020 05:00 PM PDT There are so many different types of light bulbs available that it's easy to get confused about which one to choose. Rather than buying the first bulb that looks like it will fit in a fixture, take the time to find the perfect bulb for your room. You'll ultimately save money in the long run, end up with the most attractive lighting for your home, and prevent a possible mishap by using a bulb with the wrong wattage or voltage for your fixture. [Edit]Determining Wattage, Voltage, and Base Size - Take the old bulb out of the fixture to find the type of base you need to buy. If you already have a bulb in the fixture, remove it to inspect the threading, size, and shape. You can use this as a reference or take it into the store with you when you go to buy your new bulb.[1]
- Even if a bulb fits in the fixture, you still need to double-check the voltage and wattage for each bulb and fixture to make sure they line up. Don't assume that just because a bulb fits that it's safe to use.
- Measure or use a coin to assess the diameter of the fixture's base if you don't have a bulb. Since light fixtures typically come in three different sizes, you can use a coin to determine what type of bulb you need. Grab a quarter, dime, and a penny. Hold each coin over the opening for the bulb on a light fixture to determine the size of the bulb you need. You can always measure the opening if you prefer.[2]
- Standard bulbs (also known as medium or Edison base bulbs) go into bases that resemble the size of a quarter. These are the most popular type of fixture base and they're 26 mm in diameter.
- Intermediate bulbs are roughly the shape of a dime. These bases measure 17 mm in diameter.
- Candelabra bulbs have bases that are roughly the same size as Lincoln's head on a penny. These small bases measure 12 mm in diameter.
- If your fixture looks like two pins slide into it, you have a bi-pin, twist-lock, or plug bulb. There are hundreds of these bulbs and you'll need to read the instructions for the light fixture to figure out which bulb you need. For example, a G9.5 bi-pin can have a pin diameter of , while a G12 bulb will have a diameter of . Both bulbs will look nearly identical and they come in a variety of voltages, so you'll have to read the instructions for the light fixture to ensure that you're using the right bulb.
- Find the fixture's maximum wattage or use the old bulb's wattage as a guide. Read the instruction manual for your fixture or look on the back of the fixture for a sticker listing the maximum wattage. If you had a bulb in the fixture that worked fine, you can assume the maximum wattage on the bulb is identical to the maximum wattage of the fixture.[3]
- Never use a lightbulb with a wattage higher than the fixture's max wattage. This will eventually destroy the fixture, but it can even cause a fire if you leave the light on for too long.
- This information is often printed on the inside of the base for the bulb on the fixture.
- You can absolutely use a bulb with a lower wattage than the fixture's max wattage.
- Check the voltage to see if it's 12, 24, or 120 volts. Next to the maximum wattage information, look for a voltage. In the vast majority of cases, indoor lighting fixtures require 120-volt bulbs. Outdoor fixtures often require 12- or 24-volt bulbs, although smaller indoor lights may require these lower voltages as well. Purchase a bulb for your fixture that's designed for the voltage of your fixture.[4]
- You will destroy the bulb or the fixture if you use a bulb with the wrong voltage.
- In most cases, a bulb with an incorrect voltage won't even turn on. If you got a new bulb and it won't light up in your fixture, the voltage is probably incorrect.
- Convert the wattage if you're going from one type of light to another. Fixture wattages are typically based on incandescent light, which is mostly being phased out over time for energy reasons. If you are switching from one type of light to another, find the conversion by reading a light bulb's packaging to make sure you aren't exceeding the max wattage. This information is typically listed on the box of a bulb, but you may need to look the conversion up online if you can't find it.[5]
- For example, a 60-watt fixture requires an LED bulb that's 8-12 watts, and if you're going with a halogen bulb, it must be 43 watts. This is due to the fact that different types of bulbs produce different amounts of energy.
- This conversion measurement is often listed on a bulb's box as the wattage "equivalent." If you need a 60-watt incandescent bulb, you can use any light bulb that says "60-watt equivalent" on the box.
[Edit]Selecting a Bulb Type - Opt for an LED bulb for a standard, energy-efficient option. LED bulbs are popular and easy to find. They also last longer than other types of bulb and a single lightbulb may work for 10-20 years. They come in a variety of colors and bulb shapes, which makes them a great option if you aren't sure what type of light you prefer.[6]
- Some people dislike LED bulbs because they tend to be a little brighter and sharper than the old incandescent bulbs people are used to.
- LED bulbs tend to be the most expensive but they last for so long that it's often worth it in the long run.
- You find LED bulbs in almost every type of lighting fixture. They're so efficient and popular that you can find them in almost every style.
- Pick a CFL bulb if you want an efficient, whiter light. CFL is short for compact fluorescent. These bulbs use 20-40% less energy to produce the same light as incandescent bulbs. They are often color adjusted to produce light close to real sunlight. While they don't last quite as long as LED bulbs, they're still a relatively good option if you want a natural-looking light.[7]
- CFLs generate a little more heat than LED bulbs which is why they're generally not as popular. They tend to get very hot if you leave them on for a long time.
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs are commonly used in desk lamps, floor lamps, under-cabinet lamps, table lamps, linear strips, and sconces.
- CFLs have basically made fluorescent tube lighting entirely obsolete. If you really like the look of those old fluorescent tubes, get a CFL bulb. The feel of the light tends to be extremely similar.[8]
- Opt for halogen lights if you really dislike orange and yellow light. Halogen bulbs produce bright, vivid light. The main difference between halogen and other bulbs is that halogen light tends to feel blue. Halogen bulbs tend to burn out very quickly, but they're a great choice if you really prefer sharper, bluer light.[9]
- Halogen bulbs are popular options for track lighting, appliance lighting, and desk lamps. They aren't usually great choices for overhead fixtures, though.
- Avoid incandescent bulbs if you can since they don't last as long. Incandescent lighting is what many people grew up with, but it's wildly inefficient compared to the other options. It requires a lot of energy and it's not great for the environment. On top of that, most countries have banned the manufacture of incandescent bulbs. It's best to choose another option if you can.[10]
- If you really love the look of incandescent lighting, look for a "warm" LED with roughly 800 lumens. The texture of the light should look nearly identical.[11]
- Get a 3-way bulb if you have a 3-way lamp that clicks. If you have a lamp with one of those switches that clicks as you turn it, you have a 3-way lamp. Purchase a 3-way bulb for your lamp. These lamps and bulbs have 3 different wattages and light outputs: low, medium, and high. When you turn the switch so that it clicks once, you'll turn on the low-light setting. Turn it twice for the medium setting, and three times for the high setting.[12]
- Many 3-way bulbs are incandescent, but there are 3-way LED and halogen bulbs as well.
- These bulbs are almost exclusively used in freestanding and table lamps. You won't often find them on a wall fixture or ceiling light.
- Read the label on a non-incandescent light bulb to see if it's dimmable. Every incandescent light is dimmable, but only some LED, halogen, and CFL bulbs can be dimmed. On the bulbs that can be dimmed, it will say "dimmable" on the front of the packaging. Inspect the label carefully if you're buying a non-incandescent bulb and you have a ceiling light or fixture with a dimmable switch.[13]
- Dimmable light bulbs have adjustable voltages. When you turn a dimmer down, the voltage is throttled and less light is produced.
[Edit]Picking the Brightness and Shape - Choose a bulb with more lumens for a brighter light. Lumens refers to the brightness of the light the bulb will put out (as opposed to wattage, which is the amount of energy). The higher the lumens, the brighter the light bulb will be. Read the package on the bulb to see how many lumens it produces. This is entirely a matter of personal preference, but you usually want more lumens for bright overhead lights and floor lamps, while desk lamps and track lighting usually require fewer lumens.[14]
- The scale for lumens ranges roughly from 450-1600. A bulb with 800 lumens will produce an "average" amount of light. Again, how 800 lumens looks in your home depends on what you're using the light for. A desk lamp producing 800 lumens will be really bright. An outdoor motion-sensor light will feel really dim at 800 lumens.
- Pick a warmer color temperature for a yellowish light color. Most bulbs will advertise color temperature or light appearance on the package. This will give you a sense for the color and texture of the light. Although this may not be a serious consideration for you when choosing your bulbs, you might want to make sure you don't accidentally purchase a bright white bulb when you intended to buy a warm yellow bulb.[15]
- The softer the light is, the less harsh it will be when you look at it. Generally, softer lights are great for mood lighting and exposed bulbs. Harder lights are great for ceiling fans and lights that need to be bright. Harder lighting is often marketed as "bright" or "ultra-bright."
- Warmer lights tend to have tints of yellow, orange, or red, while cooler lights tend to have a bluish tint. It's entirely up to you which you prefer.
- Buy an Energy Star Certified bulb if you can to save money over time. If you look on the packaging for the light bulb, it lists the estimated yearly energy cost and the lifespan of the bulb. If these numbers are lower than standard light bulbs and produce less heat, the bulb may have "Energy Star Certified" printed on the label. Buy these bulbs if you can—they're much more efficient, cheaper to operate, and they're good for the environment.[16]
- Energy Star is the name of the certification program in the United States, but most countries have a version of this.
- Choose a globe or tube bulb if you have a round or long fixture. Globe bulbs are perfectly round and emit an equal amount of light in every direction. These bulbs are great for round fixtures that are covered in glass since they will illuminate the entire cover in an even shade of light. There are also tube-style bulbs that are longer and designed for thinner, hanging lights and fixtures with vertical sconces.[17]
- Tube-style bulbs come in a variety of sizes, so measure the length of a hanging fixture before purchasing a bulb to avoid getting a light that's too short or long.
- Get a recessed bulb for track lighting or directional lights. Unlike round bulbs, recessed bulbs have a flat surface that directs light downwards. If your light fixture is built into the wall or your want to focus the light in a direction, get recessed bulbs. These bulbs come in all types of lights and styles.[18]
- If you put a regular bulb in a track or directional light, you'll be wasting light on the sides of the bulb.
- Opt for a candle bulb if you want fancy, decorative lights. Candle bulbs are a general term for the tube-shaped bulbs that often end in a point to resemble the flame from a candle. There isn't much of a point to using them if you're covering the bulb with a shade or cover, but they're a cool option if the bulb is going to be exposed. This makes them a great choice for un-covered lamps, chandeliers, wall sconces, and modern lighting fixtures.[19]
- These types of decorative lights come in a few different styles. There are pear-shaped, blunt-tip, and tapered candle bulbs for different fixtures and looks.
- These bulbs tend to look softer than their round counterparts, even when the wattage is identical.
- Look for PAR bulbs if you're setting up outdoor lighting. PAR stands for parabolic aluminized reflector. A PAR lamp can be incandescent, halogen, or LED. PAR lamps rely on an internal reflector and a prism in the lens for a controlled, focused light beam. These bulbs are extremely bright, so they're great if you're setting up a motion-sensor light.[20]
- PAR bulbs are not a great option for indoor lighting. They'll feel really overwhelming, even at a low wattage.
- There are other types of bulbs, like xenon, but they aren't used in lighting fixtures.
- There is basically no reason to buy a fluorescent bulb. They contain toxic materials and they're less efficient than CLF bulbs, which basically look the same.[21]
- You'll see letters printed on bulbs to indicate the size of the bulb and the shape of the base. Unfortunately, these letters can be kind of confusing and arbitrary, especially since many of the codes for the base and bulb use the same letters and numbers. You're better off just measuring the base.
[Edit]Warnings - Never use a bulb that doesn't match the wattage of the fixture. If you use a bulb with a wattage higher than the max wattage of the fixture, it may catch fire. Always keep the wattage of the bulb at or under the maximum wattage of the fixture.[22]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Keep Aphids Away Using Eco Friendly Methods Posted: 04 Aug 2020 09:00 AM PDT Aphids, also known as tree lice, are tiny little insects that can wreak havoc on your plants. If left unchecked, they can destroy entire gardens. Although insecticides will effectively kill aphids, they may damage your plants, and they're not great for the environment. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can try to eliminate your aphid problem that are natural and eco-friendly. [Edit]Removing Aphids Manually - Look for the cottony threads and residue of aphid damage on your plants. Look on the underside of leaves, around new growth, and anywhere else on your plants for the classic cotton-looking threads and residue of aphid damage. Check around for large groups of the small insects, which are often green, but can be different colors, depending on the species.[1]
- Usually, the aphids aren't too far away from where they've just eaten, so finding the damage is an easy way to look for them.
- There are often more than 1 group of aphids, so examine all of your plants to try to spot them.
- Squish the aphids with your fingers to remove them. If you've spotted a group of aphids, put on a pair of rubber gloves and use your fingers to squeeze them to kill them. Try to catch as many as you can if they try to run as well. Look for the small insects and pick them off by hand to remove them without having to use any chemicals or products.[2]
- If you have a small number of aphid groups, manually removing them a few times a week may be enough to control the problem and keep them from damaging your plants.
- Spray the aphids with a garden hose to blast them off your plants. Focus a jet stream of water from your garden hose directly onto a group of aphids. Be careful not to damage your plants as you blast the bugs off of them. Check your plants for aphids every 2-3 days and spray them off to control their population.[3]
- Eventually, the aphids may move on to another area and leave your plants alone.
- Sprinkle flour over the aphids with a sifter to knock them off. Add some standard all-purpose flour into a sifter or sieve. Locate a group of aphids and cover them with the fine powder to coat them and cause them to slip off of your plants. The flour will wash or fall of your plants within a few days.[4]
- Don't worry, the flour won't damage your plants.
[Edit]Making an Eco-Friendly Aphid Spray - Mix of dish soap with of warm water. Fill a medium-sized bucket with warm water and add in a mild liquid dish soap. Stir the mixture well so it's fully combined and it's nice and soapy.[5]
- Use warm water so the soap combines with it more effectively.
- Use neem oil or essential oils for a natural aphid spray. Add 4-5 drops of an essential oil such as peppermint, clove, rosemary, and thyme to about of water for a natural alternative that will keep aphids out of your garden. Neem oil is also an effective repellent. Dilute the neem oil with the amount of water recommended on the packaging.[6]
- You can find neem oil at your local hardware or home improvement store. You can also order it online.
- Fill a hand sprayer with the solution. Use a pump hand sprayer and carefully pour the soapy water, neem oil, or diluted essential oil into the container. If you can't fit all of the solution into the bottle, keep it set aside so you can refill it if you need more. Close the lid tightly on the sprayer so the liquid won't leak out.[7]
- A hand sprayer will make it easier for you to coat the underside of the leaves and spray a wider swath of plants.
- You can find hand sprayers at your local hardware and home improvement stores. You can also order them online.
- Spray down the leaves, stems, and buds of the plant. Spray the solution all over your plants to get rid of the aphids. Focus on areas where the aphids like to congregate such as the new growth, and especially on the underside of the leaves. Even if you can't see aphids, spray down all of your plants to keep them from spreading.[8]
- The soapy solution serves as a mild insecticide that will effectively kill the aphids quickly, without harming your plants.
- Neem oil and essential oils will linger on the plants and keep the aphids from coming back.
- Apply the solution every 2-3 days until you don't see any more aphids. Take your sprayer out and coat your plants every couple of days. Periodically examine your plants and look for aphids. After a few weeks of regularly applying the solution, all of the aphids will be gone.[9]
- Depending on how serious your infestation is, it could take as little as 1 or 2 applications to eliminate your aphid problem.
[Edit]Using Natural Deterrents - Grow nasturtiums near your plants to draw the aphids away. Nasturtiums are easy-to-grow annuals with bright yellow, orange, and red flowers, and aphids absolutely love them. Use nasturtiums as a decoy plant that will attract any aphids to them by planting them in your garden near the plants you want to keep the aphids away from. When the aphids congregate on the nasturtiums, use an aphid spray or manually remove them to get rid of them.[10]
- Choose mature nasturtiums from your local nursery to plant them and have them start attracting aphids right away.
- Plant natural deterrents like garlic and petunias in your garden. Aphids hate some plants, and adding them to your garden near the plants you want to be aphid-free is a great way to deter them. Choose companion plants that aphids dislike and use them as a natural and eco-friendly way to keep aphids away.[11]
- Garlic and petunias also have beautiful flowers so they're great to plant near roses or other flowering plants that aphids like to eat.
- Other plants that deter aphids include mint, green onion, and chives.
- Bury a banana peel in the soil at the base of your plants. Banana peels are a great natural deterrent to aphids. Dig a shallow hole about deep near the base of your plants and add a small section of banana peel about long. Lightly cover the peel with dirt so it's still exposed.[12]
- The banana peel will keep the aphids from returning to your plants and will decompose to add nutrients to the soil!
- If you don't have banana peels, use orange peels instead.
- Introduce ladybugs into your garden to eat the aphids. Ladybugs, also known as ladybirds, love to feast on aphids, so adding them to your garden is an effective way to eliminate your aphid infestation. Visit a local nursery or look online for ladybugs that you can purchase and release into your garden.[13]
- Don't release ladybugs anywhere you've sprayed pesticide or they may die as well.
- Nasturtium spray also works well against aphids. Simply boil of nasturtium leaves in of water for 15 minutes. Strain out the leaves and wait until the water is cool to add it to a spray bottle to spray down your plants.
- Check your plants regularly for aphids to keep them from establishing a major infestation.
[Edit]Warnings - If you bury banana or orange peels, you may attract some animals such as raccoons or rabbits, who may try to dig them up and eat them.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
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