Although there are many natural pesticides available in the market, such as Bt, milky spore, nicotine, pyrethrum, and iron phosphate, they are expensive and not a hundred percent organic. If you are concerned about using pure organic and natural insecticides for your home garden, then you need to consider different home-made organic insecticide options.
The following article will describe natural, cost-effective, and organic methods for making insecticides for your home garden.
Horticultural Oil Spray Insecticide
Spraying horticultural oil to kill insects in your home and outside in the garden or lawns is a popular and efficient way to keep bugs under control. The main ingredient of it is vegetable oil, which is present in every kitchen. Take one tablespoon of vegetable oil, mix it with one teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent powder, and then add 2 cups of water.
Mix thoroughly in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture directly on plant parts that are affected and infected with insect pests. This home-made insecticide causes suffocation, blocks breathing pores, and eventually kills insects.
Neem Oil Insecticide
Naeem oil is the most powerful insect repellent that has been used for many decades. It’s a natural oil that is extracted from neem’s tree seeds. It works as a powerful natural insecticide, disrupting the life cycle of insects at all stages, i.e., adults, larvae, and eggs, which makes it the best insecticide for an organic garden.
This oil is non-toxic to pets and biodegradable. To make neem oil insecticide, take two teaspoons of high-quality organic neem oil and one teaspoon of liquid soap in a spray bottle. Add one quart of water in it and shake it well. Spray this magical insecticide on affected plants.
Garlic Insecticide Spray
Garlic is famous due to its pungent smell. This characteristic is a powerful tool to repel or control insects munching on your garden. Although there are various garlic containing natural pesticides available in the market, you can easily make it in your home.
A basic ingredients and recipe to make this natural insecticide are given below:
- Take two garlic bulbs and grind them by adding little water in a grinder.
- Keep this mixture overnight, then strain it into a bottle, add half a cup of vegetable oil, one teaspoon liquid soap, and fill it with water.
- Apply this spray to affected areas to kill insect pests in your garden.
Salt Spray
Salt spray is most effective and efficient for treating spider mites, chewing critters, caterpillars, cabbage worms, fleas, black scale beetles, and many other insects that attack your vegetable garden and lawn. Salt is a popular ingredient to cause dehydration in snails and slugs as well. Take two teaspoons of salt and mix it into one gallon of warm water. Spray it on infected plants and areas to have phenomenal results.
Chrysanthemum Flower Tea
Pyrethrum is a powerful chemical compound that is profusely found in chrysanthemum flowers. It damages the nervous system of insects and makes them immobile. You can easily make this powerful natural insecticide at home.
Boil 100 g (3.5 oz) dried flowers in 1 L water, wait for it to cool down, then strain it into a trigger spray bottle and apply it to the plant’s affected parts. You can store this insecticide spray for two months.
Conclusion
- Before applying any home-made insecticide, first, test it on a single plant. If it doesn’t harm your plant, then apply it to infected areas.
- Avoid using bleach-based detergents on plants as it can damage them.
- Don’t apply any insecticide spray on a hot day because it can cause the burning of the plants, leading to their death.
- Most of these home-made insecticides are effective as a weekly treatment.
- Overuse of these insecticides can affect vegetation and kill the beneficial insects that you need in your garden (honey bees, earthworms, ladybugs, etc.).
- Don’t spray insecticide If the day is too sunny or rainy.
- Wait until the weather is clean and cool to ensure the effectiveness of your insecticide application.
