Some homemade and organic natural pesticides
- Part 2 -

Dr Jogesh Laishram *

6. Rubbing Alcohol

Another excellent natural pesticide is 70% rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol not only kill the insects, but it also draws out the mobile insects from their hiding places, so it’s easier to control and get rid of them.

Methods of application

1 teaspoon of dish detergent in 1 quarter of water can be mix with 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and after shaking and mixing well it is pour into a spray bottle. The alcohol melts the protective wax covering parts of insects and dries out their bodies.

The mixer can be spray on stems and both sides of leaves. Special attention should be paid to leaf axils, as pests tend to hide there. Rubbing alcohol work best against aphids, thrips, whiteflies and mealybugs. It is mostly effective against adults, but it can sometimes work on eggs and pupae too.

7. Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is basically fermented apple juice. It has been utilized as a home remedy for quite a long time. It is also an effective organic bug repeller. In addition, it will not just repel the bugs, but by getting rid of harmful insects altogether due to its acidity it can give new life to flowers, vegetables and fruits.

Methods of application

Either white or apple juice vinegar can be utilize, however white is typically more affordable. Combine three parts water and one part vinegar in a spray bottle to make a spray. To help bind the solution a teaspoon of soap dish can be added. The mixer should be shake well until combined and all the ingredients are mixed.

It can then be spray directly onto the bug, or apply to the base of the plant. If the leaves are heavily infected it can be applied to them. Vinegar can also be use to repel dogs, cats, and coyotes from gardens.

Vinegar is good against slugs, snails, moths, ants, and fruit flies. Vinegar can likewise be utilize to kill weeds by mixing 50-50 vinegar and water and spray directly on weeds. If there are grasses to get rid of, for example, grass developing through breaks on the walkways, vinegar spray can be use.

8. Garlic Spray

Garlic is popular for its pleasant smell, which people either love or hate. It is actually this smell that makes garlic on the list of natural pesticides for vegetables. As a matter of fact, garlic is not so much a pesticide as an insect repellent.

Methods of application

To make sure the insects stay away garlic can be planted around vegetable beds or in them together with other vegetables. A garlic spray can also be made. Two garlic cloves with a little water are taken and put them in a blender or a food processor. It is allowed to sit for overnight then strain. A half cup of vegetable oil and a teaspoon of liquid soap can be added and put in sufficient water to fill a cup.

Combination can be utilize with one quarter of water and empty it into a spray bottle. Tops and bottoms of leaves should be spray once in 7 days. Garlic spray is great against ants, slugs, aphids, beetles, and whiteflies. The spray should not be done close to harvest as the vegetables will taste or smell strongly of garlic.

9. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance made up of bodies of prehistoric diatomic fossils and comes from a sedimentary rock. They are very sharp, and it feels like razor blades on the insect respiratory systems when the fossils are ground-up. It effectively dehydrates the insects to death. Diatomaceous earth has many uses, and a pesticide is only one of them.

Methods of application

Diatomaceous earth is found in garden stores. Various versions of diatomaceous earth are there but horticultural grade which is usually sold in large bags should be used. Put on a mask and gloves, and dust the ground around the plants with it, or put it around the garden bed to be protected. Some water on the foliage can be sprinkle to control the crawling insects.

After every rain diatomaceous earth should be reapply as it has a dried-out nature. Diatomaceous earth is effective against snails, ants and slugs. A brush or a small spoon can be use to get it into cracks to stop ants from crawling out. A flour sifter can be used to cover a bigger area.

10. Tomato Leaf Spray

Tomato plants belong to the nightshade family and that implies they have toxic compounds known as alkaloids in the leaves. The alkaloids are released when the leaves are chopped. The leaves can be use to make a spray that is toxic to aphids but safe for human and other plants. This spray is believed to attract beneficial predatory insects that help tomatoes to flourish.

Methods of application

Two cups of tomato leaves can be chop and soak them in a quart of water overnight to make the tomato leaf spray. With a cheesecloth or a strainer the leaves are strain. The water is then pour into the spray bottle and apply to stems and foliage.

Tomato leaf spray is best effective against aphids. The spray should be applied liberally to the underside of the leaves, as this is the place where aphids like to gather. It should also be apply additionally to stems and growing tips.

11. Salt Spray

One of the most outstanding homemade insecticides is salt spray. Nutrition absorption, such as sulfur and magnesium is increases by it.

Methods of application

Every week some salt around the base of the plant can be sprinkle. This will prevent the pests and help add magnesium to the soil, which will increase the plant nutrient absorption. To make a spray half a cup of salt in one gallon of warm water is mix.

It is stir well until the salt dissolves, pour into a spray bottle and spray on pest-infected plants. The salt will prevent insects from sitting on the plants and feeding off of it by drying them out. Salt spray is great against slugs, beetles, and cabbage worms.


Concluded ....