Pesticides are important when gardening. There is nothing worse than spending time and money just to find out that the pests enjoyed your hard work instead of your family. It is also really important that you aren’t using pesticides that will hurt the environment, or the plants you are growing. Here are some ways to make your own natural pesticides. Good for you and your plants….but get rid of the problem!
Natural Soap Spray
Recipe from Apartment Therapy.
Materials needed: spray bottle, biodegradable liquid dish soap, and lemon or orange essential oil.
Directions: In a spray bottle combine… 1 1/2 tablespoons of (biodegradable) liquid soap, 1 quart of water, and a couple drops of lemon or orange essential oil.
Once combined, shake well. Spray your plant thoroughly, making sure you cover the tops and bottoms of the leaves.
Oil and Soap Remedy
Recipe from Earth Easy for soft bodied insects (mites, aphids, and mealybugs).
Mix one one tablespoon canola oil and a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Shake well and pour into a spray bottle. Spray the plants on both sides…the oil will smother the insects and kill them.
Garlic Spray
Recipe from Home Guides.
The strong scent of garlic keeps certain pests away. Combine 10 to 12 garlic cloves with one quart of water in a blender. Once blended allow the mixture to set for 24 hours. Strain out any garlic chunks and add 1 cup of cooking oil. This mixture can be stored for several weeks until ready to use. When ready to use, dilute 1/2 cup of the mixture with 1 gallon of water, and spray on plants!
Hint: if you want an even more powerful pesticide add 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper to the concentrated mixture (before you dilute it).
This is a great rip, making a natural pesticide that may not harm your plants without using any chemicals.
Cheers to these natural remedies for maintaining your garden. Happy harvesting!