Homemade Organic Pesticide
Although the garden can be free from pest by the chemical pesticide, that can harm your health and plants in the long term. Therefore, I’d like to introduce the recipe of the home organic pesticide whose main ingredient can be found in the kitchen.
1. Tobacco or Nicotine Spray
This mixture is great for combating many different types of bugs, but especially caterpillars, aphids, and many types of those nasty worms.
- 1 cup of tobacco
- 1 gallon of water
Put the tobacco into the container of water. Allow the mixture to set for approximately 24 hours. After it has stood for a day, check the color. It should be the shade of weak tea. If it is too dark, just dilute it with water until it looks right.
*Warning: Don't use this solution on peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, or any other member of the solanaceous family. Tobacco chemicals can kill these types of plants!
2. Soap Spray
Another way to stop the slugs is with soapy water. Or you can just use your old, dirty dishwater. Collect some of the water in a pan and pour it into a watering can or even use a pitcher to pour it over the plants.
This works really well on hosts and mums, but also can be used on other hardy plants. Many bugs do not like their lunch spoiled by a soapy aftertaste! For a stronger solution, mix 3 Tablespoons of liquid detergent into a gallon of water, I prefer Dawn, but any will do. Use this weekly.
3. Alcohol Spray
This spray really is great for houseplants. This especially works on meal bugs.
- 1/2 cup of alcohol
- 2-3 tablespoons of dry laundry soap
- 1 quart of warm water
Mix all ingredients and spray immediately. You don't have to let this set, but you can't store it either. This solution must be made fresh for each use.
4. Buttermilk and Flour Spray:
Garlic spray is great for getting rid of cutworms, wireworms, whiteflies, and slugs too.
- 1 pint of water
- 1/4 cup of dish liquid
- 2 teaspoons of paraffin
- 6 tablespoons of chopped garlic
5. Garlic Oil Spray
· 3-4 cloves of garlic
· Mineral oil
· Strainer or cheesecloth
· Liquid dish soap
· Water
Mince or finely chop three to 
four cloves of garlic, and add them to two teaspoons of mineral oil. Let this mixture sit for 24-48 hours. Dissolve grated soap or flakes in warm water and then mix the 2 solutions together and then strain. Use 1 part mixture to 50 parts water. Spray as usual.
This mixture can be stored and diluted as needed. When you need to spray, use two tablespoons of the mixture added to one pint of water in a spray bottle.
To use your garlic oil spray, first test by spraying an inconspicuous part of the plant to see if your mixture harms it at all. If there are no signs of yellowing or other leaf damage after a day or two, it is safe to use. If there is leaf damage, dilute the mixture with more water and try the test again. Once you have determined that it won't harm your plant, spray the entire plant.
Warning: Garlic oil is a non-selective insecticide, which means that it will kill beneficial insects (such as lady bugs, who are natural predators of aphids) just as easily as it kills the bad guys. It's best to keep as many beneficials around as possible. So this spray should only be used if you haven't seen any beneficial bugs in your garden.
6. ONION AND CHILI SPRAY
This homemade insecticide and pesticide is very effective against any leaf-eating insects and has a limited effect against most scale and hard-surfaced pests such as shield bugs.
- 4 bird's eye chilies, chopped (or as hot as you can find)
- 4 large onions, chopped
- 2 bulbs garlic, chopped
- 2 L soapy water
Combine all the ingredients, including the seeds from the chilies. Cover with the soapy water and allow to steep for 24 hours. Add water to dilute if required and spray. Can be stored in a sealed container in a dark place for up to 2 weeks.
Source: www.essortment.com, http://organicgardening.about.com, www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com