FEATURESTORY
by Mike Groarty
Homemade Organic Pesticides
H
ow do you prevent your garden from
being a 24-hour diner for every insect that
passes through the neighborhood? There
are several chemical products on the mar-
ket that will kill insects, but many gardeners are hesi-
tant to use strong chemicals on their plants. There
are very effective organic insecticides and repellents
available these days, and in a pinch you can make
your own natural insect repellent.
Most insects prefer a bland diet, so by making
your garden spicy you can encourage insects to dine
elsewhere. A hot pepper or garlic spray works great
as a repellent and can actually prevent insects – and
even hungry rabbits – from nibbling on your plants.
Hot Pepper Spray
To make hot pepper spray, toss a couple of hot
peppers, such as cayenne or habaneros, in a blender
with about a cup of water. Puree the mixture, strain
out any solids, and then add enough water to make
a gallon of concentrated hot pepper juice. To use the
hot pepper spray, mix a quarter cup of the concen-
trate with a gallon of water and a tablespoon or two
of liquid soap. The soap will help the spray stick to
the plants.
A good place to buy liquid soap for this purpose
would be a health food store. Do not use a detergent
or a heavily scented soap as these can be harmful to
plants.
Once you’ve made your insect repellent concoc-
tion, test it on a few leaves first before spraying your
plants. The hot pepper and garlic smell will be strong
when first applied but will fade, and your flowers
and vegetables won’t take on their odor or taste. The
spray should be reapplied every week or two, or after
a rainfall. GG
Mike McGroarty is the owner of McGroarty Enterprises
and the author of several books. You can visit his
website at FreePlants.com and read his blog at
MikeBackYardNursery.com.
PROTECT YOUR PLANTS
Garlic Spray
To make a garlic spray, roughly chop one or two
garlic bulbs, place them in a quart jar and pour
boiling water over the garlic, enough to fill the
jar. Close the jar and let it sit overnight. Strain out
the chunks of garlic and add the garlic water to your
sprayer along with a few drops of liquid soap. Left-
over garlic water can be kept frozen for later use.
April 2018
www.GardenandGreenhouse.net
Hard-working Insect and Animal
Repellents that also provide
moisture loss protection.
800 627 6840
hotpepperwax.com
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