Natural pesticides for plants are less expensive than buying commercial pesticides, and they are much safer for your garden, your family, your pets and the environment. There are homemade natural pesticides for plants that are cheap and easy to make and they are as effective as some commercial pesticides on the market. You don’t need special or fancy ingredients, and some of them are probably stocked in your kitchen and garden.
But before you start to spray your infected plants, here are few important tips:
1. The best thing to do is to treat for insects as soon as you notice signs of an infestation. The sooner you start to apply the natural pesticides for plants, the easier it will be to get rid of the critters.
2. Test the solution by spraying it onto a small part of the plant and wait several hours to make sure there is no damage to the plant. If the sprayed part wilted, burnt or changed color, try a more diluted application or another type of pesticide.
3. You can mix several of the solutions below to create a stronger solution, for example you can add neem oil to the other pesticides.
4. Avoid spraying in rainy days as the rain will wash the application or dilute it. Also don’t treat the plant during a very hot and sunny day as it can burn the leaves.
5. Don’t forget to apply the solution not only on the top of the leaves, but also underneath them.
6. Don’t overdo the treatment to prevent damage. Spray every couple of days and see the progress.
Chili peppers + onion + garlic
Many natural pesticides use a combination of some or all of the above ingredients. While the amount may vary between the recipes, the usual amount is about 1-2 Chili peppers (or 1-2 teaspoons of chili powder), 1 large onion or large bulb of garlic (or both, and then you can half the amount). Put all the ingredient in a blender and add a little bit of water until a paste is formed. Then add about 1 liter warm water and blend again. Keep the mixture in a container in a sunny or warm place for 24 hours. Then strain the water and pour them into a spray bottle. Thoroughly spray the infected plant every few days and repeat the treatment for several times. If kept refrigerated, it will remain potent for several weeks.
Mild Liquid soap varieties
You need to select mild soap such as all natural Castile soap. Mix a few teaspoons of the liquid dish soap with 1 gallon of water and mix. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray the infected plant. Spray every 2-3 days for two weeks.
There are other varieties of this natural pesticide recipe in which other ingredients can be added, for example, some recipes add a few teaspoons of baking soda, while others add a peel of an orange. If you add a peel of an orange, firstly place the peel in a glass container and pour 2 cups of boiling water over the peel and leave the solution for 24 hours in a warm place. Strain the water to remove the peel. Then add to the liquid soap and water mixture.
Another option is to add a few teaspoons of vegetable oil to the mild liquid soap and water while mixing all the ingredients well.
Tobacco leaves
This solution is not suitable to use on nightshade vegetables (solanaceous family) such as tomatoes, peppers or eggplants. Mix 1 cup of tobacco leaves into 1 gallon of water. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours in a warm place or until it reaches the color of light tea. Some recipes add a few teaspoons of mild liquid dish soap to the mixture and mix well. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray the infected plant.
Chrysanthemums
This flower contain a chemical substance that can paralyze many garden insects. Use ½ cup of dried flower or 3 times the amount of fresh flower. Add to it 1 liter of water and boil the mixture for 20 minutes to release the chemical into the water. Strain the water, cool, and pour into a spray bottle. Spray the infected plant.
Neem oil
Mix a tablespoon of neem oil with a few teaspoons of mild liquid soap. Then add 2 liters of warm water and mix well. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray the infected plant.
Tomato or potato or rhubarb leaves
Cover 1 cup chopped rhubarb or tomato or potato leaves with about 2 liters warm water, let the mixture sit for 24 hours in a warm place, strain the leaves and add a few teaspoons of mild liquid soap. Cool and pour into a spray bottle.
Salt
Mix 2 tablespoons of salt into one gallon of warm water and spray on infected areas.
Mineral oil
Mix about 20-30 ml of high-grade mineral oil with one liter of water and spray on infected areas.
Lime sulfur spray
You can get it at any good garden center and it is applied during the dormant period. Lime sulfur has fungicidal properties and it kills many insects.
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