7 Natural Pesticides for Your Home and Garden

This article will help you finest the finest natural pesticides to protect your crops. Read on to discover more about organic farming practices that will reduce exposure from harmful chemicals.

Many gardeners are interested in organic pest repellents. In addition to being simple to prepare, natural pesticides are cheaper and safer than many store-bought pesticides. This article shows you how to make pesticides using all-natural, affordable, and organic techniques. 

Natural pesticides are preferable to chemical insecticides, but they should only be used as a last resort. While many commercial pesticides are effective against insect infestations, they can also kill beneficial insects and pose a danger to children and pets. 

Keep in mind that insects are essential to our ecosystems and are already suffering as a result of climate change. If at all feasible, employ live traps or other natural techniques to capture them, or take steps to avoid infection in the first instance. 

Without further ado, here’s our list of the best natural pesticides:  

1. Introduce a Companion Plant

One of the most effective (and visually appealing) techniques is to strategically place natural insect repellent plants in your yard. Placing the following plants in strategic locations will help discourage the presence of bothersome creepy crawlies. 

• Basil – Basil is one of the best mosquito-repellent herbs and is safe for dogs and cats. This is a great natural pesticide as basil is poisonous to mosquito larvae. 
• Rosemary – Rosemary is an excellent repellent for mosquitos and other insects while also giving a pleasant aroma to your garden. It is safe for dogs and other household pets. 
• Sage – In addition to being non-toxic to pets, sage possesses pest-repelling characteristics that benefit both you and your plants. Sage thrives in colder regions with less sunlight, and it may reach heights of up to 4 feet. 
• Marigold – A great addition for adding a splash of color to the yard and deterring many plant-eating pests. Marigolds aren’t dangerous to dogs or cats, however eating them may induce stomach and intestinal upset in pets so be careful where you place them. Plant them in window boxes or flower pots on tables where pets can’t access them. Indoor marigolds require 6 hours of direct sunlight every day.  

2. Garlic Pepper Spray

This natural pesticide works well against aphids, ants, beetles, caterpillars, slugs, and whiteflies in your garden. To make garlic pepper spray:  

1. Take 6 garlic cloves and 1 medium onion and puree them.  
2. Add 5 cups of water and 4-5 drops of dish shop into the mixture. You can even add a little sprinkle of ground cayenne pepper for an extra kick. 
3. Remove any big bits of the mixture by straining it through a cheesecloth or a fine sieve.  
4. Pour your strained mixture into a jar with a tight-fitting cover and leave it to sit overnight. This concentration will keep for up to a week.  
5. Dissolve the entire solution in 3 glasses of water before using, and then apply to plants with a reusable spray bottle.  

We recommend spraying both the top and bottom of the plant’s leaves when applying the solution. 

3. Chili Pepper Spray

Like garlic spray, chili pepper spray is an easy-to-make natural pesticide and repellent. Chili pepper spray can be made using either fresh or dried hot peppers, or with chile powder. The spicier, the better! We urge you to exercise caution as hot chili peppers can cause a burning sensation when they come into contact with humans.  

Be sure to keep your eyes, nose, and mouth protected when concocting this mixture. Always wear gloves and a mask when handling it. To make chili pepper spray: 

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of chile powder with 1 quart/4 cups of water and a few drops of mild liquid detergent.    
2. Add a few drops of liquid soap and spray as desired once the chili spray mixture has cooled. Leave to sit overnight 

If you decide to use actual chili peppers, simply:

1. Mix 1/2 cup of fresh chili peppers with 1 cup of water,
2. Then add 1 quart of water to the mixture and bring to a boil. 
3. Leave it to cool and sit overnight, then apply to your plants.

The leaves of infected plants can be liberally sprayed with this combination. On windy days, it’s best that you avoid using this natural pesticide. You don’t want a cloud of pepper spray flying at your face.  

There is no better time to go than after sunset. It’s best to reapply every three to four days and after heavy rain. Spider mites and aphids can be eradicated with this solution. 

4. Vegetable Oil Spray 

A DIY pesticide produced from vegetable oil and mild soap can be lethal to certain pesky insects including aphids, beetles, whiteflies, thrips, and mites. The soap and oil combo coats the insect’s bodies and suffocates them, as it obstructs their airways. 

Thankfully, it’s relatively straightforward to make. To prepare a basic oil insecticide spray:  

1. Combine 1 cup of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of soap, then cover and shake thoroughly.
2. When ready to use, combine 2 teaspoons of the oil spray mix with 1 quart of water.
3. Shake this mixture thoroughly before spraying directly onto the surfaces of the plants affected by the little pests. 

5. Dish Soap Spray

If you need to get rid of insects, soap spray insecticides can be used in the same way as the previous vegetable oil spray. Using soap as an insecticide is comparable to using oil as an insecticide since it may be used to reduce mites, aphids, whiteflies, beetles, and other tiny insects that are hungry for your plant’s precious nutrients.  

All you need for this natural pesticide is basic liquid soap with no additional bleach or antibacterial components. Castile soap or milder hand soap can also be substituted in lieu of dish soap. To make a simple soap insecticide spray:

1. Combine 1.5 tablespoons of mild liquid dish soap with 1 quart of water.
2. Shake thoroughly. 
3. Spray the mixture directly onto the afflicted surfaces of plants. Voila! 

Avoid applying this combination during the hottest portion of the day; instead, do it at night or early in the morning. 

6. Chrysanthemum Flower Tea

Pyrethrum, a potent chemical component in plants, is found in chrysanthemum blossoms and may be an effective natural pesticide. It’s as simple as putting some dried chrysanthemum flowers in a pan of water and letting them simmer for around 20 minutes. This potent mixture can be good for up to two months, so you can keep it in your pantry over the growing season. Here’s how to make chrysanthemum tea:  

1. Wearing gloves and a mask, use a blender or food processor to grind the heads of dried chrysanthemum flowers into a fine powder.  
2. Add 4 glasses of water for every 1/2 cup of dried flowers.
3. Add a splash of soap to the mixture to help bind the ingredients together. 
4. Bring to a boil and let the mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes. Wait for it to cool down before applying. 
5. Once cooled, fill a spray bottle with the mixture and spray on diseased leaves from top to bottom. If infestation is severe, you can spray the stems as well. 

We always advise doing a test run on a smaller section of the plant before committing to spraying the full plant. We further recommend only spraying this mixture when temperatures are below 85°F. For optimal results, spray this mixture at night-time. Repeat every week until the infestation appears to be under control.

7. Tomato Leaf Spray

Insects like aphids, spiders, mites, and other pests can be efficiently controlled by the alkaloids found in tomato plants, such as “tomatine.”  It’s possible to use fresh tomato leaves to manufacture a natural pesticide by chopping up 2 cups of the leaves and steeping them in 1 quart of water for a whole night.

Let this mixture sit overnight, and strain out the plant material when the time comes to apply it to your plant’s leaves. This natural pesticide has the sustainability bonus of being a zero waste option, as you’re using all parts of the tomato plant itself.

Precautions to Take Before Using Natural Pesticides 

Be sure to test any homemade natural insecticides on a tiny area of your desired plant first to ensure that it doesn’t hurt the plant. You should also consider the following:

• Avoid over-spraying plants or spraying scorched leaves. 
• Remove sickly leaves before spraying. Each leaf should be treated separately. 
• Do not apply some of these natural pesticides during the day in the glare of the sun, e.g. chili spray.
• Always apply insecticides with gloves and a mask. 
• Keep pets away from the spraying area until the insecticide has dried fully. 
• Inspect for damage 48 hours after spraying a few leaves. Retest after dissolving your solution in water. 
• If it appears that it may rain, postpone until the weather clears, as rain will wash away your hard work. If it has recently rained, wait until the vegetation is completely dry. 

Read on:

• Urban Gardening: 6 Creative Tips and Ideas for Small City Gardens
• What Is Guerrilla Gardening?
• 6 Rose Diseases and Pests and How to Treat Them

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Tags: DIY Garden Guide Plants

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