Insects and other undesirable pests are the bane of many a gardener’s life, but it’s possible to protect your plants using entirely natural insecticides you can make yourself using everyday household ingredients.All-purpose insect and pest spray
This powerful all-purpose spray can see off a wide variety of garden pests. It’s strong stuff – use when you know you have specific problem rather than as a general repellent. It combines pungent garlic, onion and pepper to repel unwanted guests, with the added insecticidal property of soap. You’ll need:
- A bulb of garlic
- An onion
- A tablespoon of cayenne pepper, or three fresh jalapeno chilli peppers
- A tablespoon of organic washing-up liquid, or other organic liquid soap
- A litre of water
Preparation is straightforward. Chop or blend the garlic bulb and onion with the chilli peppers or cayenne powder, then stir into a litre of water. Allow the mixture to steep for at least an hour. Strain the liquid through cheesecloth or muslin, then add the washing-up liquid or liquid soap and mix well. It’s now ready to pour into a spray bottle.
To apply, spray plants thoroughly, including the underside of the leaves. Although this spray is organic, the ingredients can cause skin irritation, and it can be especially unpleasant if it gets in your eyes, so take care. It’s best to wear rubber gloves when preparing and spraying the mixture. Always be aware of the direction of the wind when spraying (you don’t want it blowing back into your face).
This mixture does wonders for keeping your plants free from pests but, as always, you should treat it as only a part of your overall strategy. Employing techniques such as companion planting can help keep away unwanted pests by attracting beneficial insects. It’s also a good idea to ensure that your plants and vegetables are kept healthy and well-fed with natural compost – strong plants rooted in nutritious and organically-fed soil are naturally more resistant to attacks from pests, fungus and disease.