Homemade and Natural Bug Sprays for the Organic Gardener
ALL IN ONE GARLIC ONION
From the folks at Rodale’s Organic Life comes this all-in-one DIY natural insecticide. To make it, puree one bulb of garlic and one small onion with a cup of water. Add one teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder. Let it steep for at least an hour. Strain the mixture and add 3 cups of water. (Sounds like an enthusiastic salad dressing doens’t it? But no! Don’t do it.) Instead add one tablespoon of liquid soap* and mix well. To apply, spray it full-strength onto both the upper surface of the leaves, as well as the undersides. Store the remainder in the refrigerator for up to a week if desired.
*Please use a natural soap that doesn’t contain detergents or chemicals, like castile soap.
VEGETABLE OIL
A homemade insecticide made from vegetable oil mixed with a mild soap can have a devastating effect on certain troublesome insects, such as aphids, mites, thrips, etc. To make a basic oil spray insecticide, mix one cup of vegetable oil with one tablespoon of soap. * Cover and shake thoroughly. Then, when ready to apply, add two teaspoons of the oil spray mix with one quart of water, shake thoroughly, and spray directly on the surfaces of the plants which are being affected by the little pests. The oil coats the bodies of the insects, effectively suffocating them, as it blocks the pores through which they breathe. (We actually feel a little bad about that. Yikes.)
*Again, please use a natural soap that doesn’t contain detergents or chemicals, like castile soap.
SOAP SPRAY
A very similar homemade pesticide to the oil spray is a soap spray, which is also effective for controlling mites, aphids, whiteflies, beetles, and other hungry little insects. To make a basic soap spray insecticide, mix one and one-half teaspoons of a mild liquid soap* with one quart of water. Spray the mixture directly on the infected surfaces of the plants. A soap spray insecticide works in a similar fashion as an oil spray pesticide, and can be applied as necessary.
*Yup – please use a natural soap that doesn’t contain detergents or chemicals, like castile soap.
NEEM OIL: It’s a Preventative & Weapon Against the little critters
An oil extracted from the seeds of the neem tree is a powerful natural insecticide; it can disrupt the life cycle of insects at all stages (adult, larvae, and egg). Neem oil acts as a hormone disruptor and as an “antifeedant” for insects that feed on leaves and other plant parts. Neem oil is biodegradable and is nontoxic to pets, birds, fish, and other wildlife, and is effective against a variety of common garden insect pests, as well as being a natural fungicide that can combat powder mildew and other fungal infections on plants. It can be found at many garden stores or natural foods markets.
To use neem oil as an insecticide, either follow the instructions on the bottle, or start out with a basic mixture of two teaspoons neem oil and one teaspoon of mild liquid soap* shaken thoroughly with one quart of water, and then sprayed on the affected plant foliage. Neem oil can also be used preventatively by spraying the leaves of plants that are often ravaged by pests, before they’re actually infested.
*That’s right – please use a natural soap that doesn’t contain detergents or chemicals, like castile soap.
DIAMTOMACEOUS EARTH. : A NATURAL INSECTICIDE
This natural substance with a somewhat unwieldy name is made from a sedimentary rock created by fossilized algae (diatoms). A rather abundant resource, it is said to make up 26 percent of the earth’s crust by weight. Diatomaceous earth has a number of uses in and around the home, and acting as a natural insecticide is just one of them. This material works by virtue of its abrasive qualities and its affinity for absorbing the lipids (a waxy substance) from insects’ exoskeleton, which then dehydrates them to death. (again, feeling a little bad)
Diatomaceous earth isn’t cheap, often available at garden stores. If it only comes in large bags, consider splitting it with a neighbor. To apply, simply dust the ground around your plants, or even sprinkle it on the foliage, where it will help control snails and slugs as well as other crawling insects. Due to its dried nature, in order to be an effective natural pesticide, diatomaceous earth needs to be reapplied after every rain.
CHILE PEPPER SPRAY
Similar to garlic spray, chile pepper spray is a great homemade natural insect repellent that can be used for a variety of different pests. Chile spray can be made from either fresh hot peppers or chile pepper powder. To make a basic chile spray from pepper powder, mix one tablespoon of chile powder with one quart of water and several drops of mild liquid soap*. This mixture can be used full-strength on the leaves of affected plants. To make chile spray from fresh chile peppers, blend or puree one-half cup of peppers with one cup of water. Then add one quart of water and bring to a boil. Let sit until cooled. Then strain out the chile material and add several drops of liquid soap to it and spray as desired.
*In case you missed it, please use a natural soap that doesn’t contain detergents or chemicals, like castile soap.
TOMATO SPRAY
Tomato plants are part of the nightshade family, and as such, contain alkaloids such as the aptly named “tomatine,” which can effectively control aphids and other insects.5 To make tomato leaf spray for a natural insecticide, chop two cups of fresh tomato leaves (which can be taken from the bottom part of the plant) into one quart of water, and let steep overnight. Strain out the plant material and spray onto plant foliage.
YOU CAN MODIFY ANY OF THE ABOVE
If one doesn’t work for you, try another. We here at Upside Down Tulips cannot guarantee results for your garden. Cause we’re not scientists or experts – we experiment just like you do.
VERY IMPORTANT TIPS!
- Spray in the evening or early morning.
- Wear gloves for hot peppers.
- Spray both sides of the leaves.
- When the recipe calls for soap, please use a natural soap that doesn’t contain detergents or chemicals, like castile soap.
