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Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Tenielle Jordison

Mushrooms that eat insects? It's not something from a sci-fi film, it's happening right now in your backyard – you can even use kitchen mushrooms to get rid of pests, too

Bright and colorful borders in an RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden in 2024.

The battle against pests in the garden can seem relentless. Just as you've got rid of one insect eating away at your flowers, you find another chomping on your crops. That's why I'm always hunting for new ways to repel pests. Any hacks that use things I already own, take little time, and have effective results are a bonus, just like using mushrooms to get rid of pests.

This is a natural pest control method I hadn't heard of before, but the science behind it makes a lot of sense. Mushrooms essentially contain compounds that a wide range of pests that destroy plants can't stand – from aphids and thrips, to slugs and snails. By including them in a DIY pest repellent, you can protect your ornamental and edible plants alike.

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