Making Organic Pesticides
There are so many everyday products that can be used for pest control around the house and garden. You don’t have to spend a fortune on expensive commercial organic pesticides, or risk using harmful chemicals around your home. Just make your own and take control!
So, what can you use to control pests around your home? There is quite a list and we will look at a few of them here.
Liquid Soap
Liquid dish soap goes way back as a way to control pests. Long before organic was the way to go, rose gardeners used it to keep the aphids away. My grandfather was a huge fan of using a few teaspoons of a mild, liquid dish soap mixed with water. He would put it in a spray bottle and then spray away! This is one of the few methods that will control aphids and it is very effective. Liquid soap is also effective on slugs, but not as good as our next tip!
Beer Anyone?
Believe it or not, slugs are attracted to beer. So why not use this fact to your advantage. Put a small amount of beer in a shallow container and then bury the container partially in the dirt. The slug will be attracted to the smell, crawl over and fall in. Simply collect the containers and slugs in the morning and dispose of the pests.
Garlic
We have heard of using garlic to ward of vampires – but garden pests? That’s right. Garlic isn’t used to kill pests, but it is effective at driving them away. Use a garlic mixture that is similar to the liquid soap mixture above. Mix crushed garlic with water or oil and make a spray. Then spray the mixture on plants to help keep furry critters like rabbits away from the greenery.
Garlic plants can also be used effectively for pest control. Plant garlic sets around tomato plants to prevent spider mites. Use it around trees to keep borers away. See, garlic is effective against more than just vampires!
Marigolds
Did you think marigolds were just a pretty flower? Well, have you ever smelled a marigold? Not the sweetest flower in the bunch. But, it is sure good to repel pests in the garden! Plant rows of marigolds in your garden next to the vegetables and you will have fewer problems with bugs invading your crops.
You don’t have to use expensive commercial products to control pests around your home and garden. Just use the stuff you already have on hand and become a great gardener!
The Author:
Piper Cox is a freelance writer who enjoys fitness, good nutrition, and the outdoors. She loves to work in the garden and she couldn’t live without her hose caddy to keep her garden hoses stored and out of the way. She enjoys nature, reading and organic gardening for the best produce!
Garden Protector
An organic solution to keep cats and dogs out of the garden.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons tabasco sauce or 1 ½ tablespoons dry mustard powder
1 tablespoon plain white flour
1 medium cooking onion chopped finely
1 clove garlic chopped finely
2 teaspoons liquid dish soap
1 ½ quart warm water
Directions:
Mix together the dry ingredients, then add the chopped onion and garlic, stir well. Slowly add in the soap, then the water until all ingredients are thoroughly blended. Place garden mixture in a container or spray bottle and let the mixture settle, when ready to use give it a good shake or stir if its in a container. Spray or pour the repellent around the plants directly on the soil or at the base of bushes. Re-spray plant area every 2 weeks or after major rainfall.
This is a great natural pesticide recipe for keeping pets out of the garden. The combination of cayenne pepper and tabasco sauce will definitely deter them from digging or chewing on the plants. Just make sure to reapply the mixture every two weeks or after rainfall, as suggested.
Tips for Plants
Keep the water after you boil eggs, it’s good to water your plants with it! It has a lot of minerals in it. Grow extra large and juicy tomatoes. Before planting add one tablespoon of Epsom salt in the hole.
Homemade Insecticide: Spray plants with your old dishwater. The soap kills of the bugs.
Sprinkle crushed up eggs shell around flower plants and roses to keep slugs and bugs away.
Clean the leaves of your plant with a cotton ball dipped in milk. Makes it shiny.
These are some great tips for keeping plants healthy and pest-free! I especially like the idea of using dishwater as an insecticide and the use of eggshells to repel slugs and bugs. The milk tip for shining plant leaves is also interesting. However, it’s important to note that these methods may not work for every plant or insect problem, so it’s always best to do some research before trying them out.
Can I use geranium oil as a spray to kill off Japanese beetles on my rose bush?
Geranium oil has been known to repel Japanese beetles, but it may not necessarily kill them off. It’s always best to test a small area of the rose bush first before applying the spray all over. Additionally, make sure to follow any safety precautions when handling essential oils and dilute them as necessary.