Keeping your garden free from pests doesn’t mean you have to use harsh chemicals. In fact, you can make your own organic pesticides right at home using simple ingredients! These homemade solutions are safe, effective, and easy to whip up. Let’s check out three awesome organic pesticides you can make at home and how to use them to protect your garden.
1. Garlic Spray
Garlic isn’t just great for cooking—it’s also a powerful natural pesticide! The strong smell of garlic helps to repel pests like aphids, beetles, and caterpillars.
How to Make Organic Garden Garlic Spray?
- Chop or Crush: Start by chopping up 10-12 cloves of garlic. You can crush them too if you prefer.
- Mix with Water: Put the garlic into a blender with 1 liter of water. Blend it until it’s a smooth mixture.
- Let It Sit: Let the mixture sit overnight. This helps the garlic release all its pest-repelling properties.
- Strain and Store: Strain the mixture through a fine mesh or cheesecloth to remove the garlic pieces. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle.
- Add Soap: Add a few drops of dish soap (preferably natural) to the bottle. The soap helps the spray stick to the plants.
How to Use Organic Garden Garlic Spray:
- Spray your garlic mixture directly onto the leaves and stems of your plants, especially where you see pests.
- Reapply every few days, or after it rains, to keep the bugs away.
Why Organic Garlic Spray Works: Garlic contains sulfur, which is a natural bug deterrent. The strong smell confuses and repels pests, keeping your garden safe without harming beneficial insects like bees.
2. Neem Oil Spray
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that comes from the seeds of the neem tree. It’s super effective against a wide range of pests, including aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. Plus, it’s safe to use around pets and humans!
How to Make Organic Garden Neem Oil Spray :
- Get Neem Oil: You can buy neem oil online or at a garden store. Make sure it’s cold-pressed and pure.
- Mix with Water: In a spray bottle, mix 2 tablespoons of neem oil with 1 liter of warm water.
- Add Soap: Add a teaspoon of mild liquid soap to the mixture. The soap helps the oil mix with the water and stick to the plants.
How to Use Neem Oil Spray:
- Shake the spray bottle well before using it.
- Spray your neem oil mixture on the leaves, stems, and even the soil around your plants.
- Use it in the early morning or late evening to avoid burning the plants in direct sunlight.
How Neem Oil Spray Works: Neem oil works by interfering with the feeding and reproduction of pests, which eventually gets rid of them. It’s also biodegradable, so it won’t harm your soil or plants in the long run.
3. Chili Pepper Spray
Chili peppers are another fantastic ingredient for making an organic pesticide. The spicy heat of chili peppers helps to deter insects like aphids, mites, and even some larger pests like rabbits.
How to Make Organic Garden Chili Pepper Spray :
- Blend Peppers: Take 1-2 fresh chili peppers (the hotter, the better) and blend them with 1 cup of water until smooth.
- Boil the Mixture: Pour the blended peppers into a pot with 1 liter of water. Bring it to a boil, then let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Cool and Strain: Let the mixture cool down, then strain it through a fine mesh or cheesecloth to remove the pepper bits.
- Add Soap: Pour the liquid into a spray bottle and add a few drops of liquid soap to help it stick to the plants.
How to Use Chili Pepper Garden Spray:
- Spray your chili pepper solution on the plants, focusing on areas where pests are most active.
- Be careful not to spray it on windy days, as the solution can irritate your eyes and skin.
- Reapply every week or after it rains to keep the pests at bay.
Why Organic Chili Pepper Garden Spray Works: The capsaicin in chili peppers is what makes them hot, and it’s also what drives pests away. The heat from the peppers irritates pests, encouraging them to find somewhere else to munch.
Now that you know that these three sprays are all easy to make, effective, and safe for your plants, your family, and the environment – What are you waiting for!. Grab those ingredients and start protecting your garden the natural way! Happy gardening!
