Organic pest control is on the minds of many gardeners these days. Natural pesticides are not only easy to make, they are cheaper and safer than many products you can buy on store shelves. The best method of pest control in the garden is to keep your plants healthy so they don’t attract bugs. Fertilize as needed and stay on top of weeds by pulling them as they appear or using weed killers. Here are some ways you do organic pest control .
Organic Pesticide that Work
Rhubarb Solution
1 C. rhubarb leaves*
1/4 C. liquid dish detergent or soap flakes
- Cover rhubarb leaves with 6.5 cups water and bring to a boil. Boil for 20 minutes then remove from heat and cool. Strain then add 1/4 cup soap. Good for aphids, june beetles, spider mites, thrips.
- *These are poisonous, take care when preparing and handling. Do not use on food bearing varieties.
Garlic Tea
- Make your own spritz by boiling a pint of water, throw in roughly chopped garlic cloves and steep until the batch cools. Strain.
Garlic, Peppers & Onion Insecticide
2 hot peppers
1 large onion
1 whole bulb of garlic
- Toss in the food processor and add 1/4 cup water, blend until a mash is made. Cover mash with 1 gallon hot (not boiling) water and let stand 24 hours. Strain. Spritz on roses, azaleas, vegetables to kill bug infestations. Bury mash in ground where bugs are heaviest. Good for thrips, aphids, grasshoppers, chewing and sucking insects.
Tomato Brew
- Crush leaves* from a tomato plant and soak in water for a couple days. Strain. Good for grasshopper and white fly control.
- These are poisonous, take care when preparing and handling. Do not use on food bearing varieties.
Basil Tea
1 C. fresh basil (or 2 TBS dried)
1 tsp liquid dish detergent
- Bring 4 cups water to a boil then add basil. Remove from heat, cover and steep until cool. Strain. Mix in the soap. Good for aphids.
