Maybe you have been looking for an effective yet safe way of getting rid of bugs and insects in your home or garden? You may also be concerned that most commercially available pesticides contain chemicals that are not only harmful to the environment but to pets and humans as well. If your problem only involves a few bugs and insects, you might be tempted to take the easy way out and use the bug spray. But it’s good to know that natural pest control remedies can be implemented safely and effectively, not to mention costing you less than most commercial products.
Various natural pest control remedies have been passed down over generations. They are proven to work and will get the job done. You can try any of the following remedies which are easy to make and use. All they require is that you invest a little time of your time and effort.
Try These Natural Pest Control Remedies
Chilies, garlic and onions
This concoction is popularly known as the garlic fire spray. Though the ingredients may vary, it mostly consists of garlic, peppers, onions, soap, vegetable oil, chili, kerosene, and water. Crush or blend the ingredients and mix with a small amount of water then strain, to form a mixture that can be sprayed.
It is recommended that you spray daily until there are no signs of pest infestation – and then every ten days to kill the larvae if any. Spray again following rain or dew. If you include oil and soap to the spray solution, it will ensure that it sticks to plants and suffocates the pests.
The chilies, garlic and onions mixture will kill ants, caterpillars, bugs, grabs and any other little invaders. By spraying it at the edges of the garden, insects, rabbits, woodchucks (groundhogs), among other garden gate crashers, will be discouraged.
Oil
Expanding on the already discussed garlic, onion, and chilies spray, you may choose to include some oil. A mixture of pure smothering oil may also work. To prepare this, mix liquid or grated pure soap to a cup of vegetable oil using a blender. Continue blending until it turns to a thick white consistent solution. To use, mix one tablespoonful with 1litre of warm water and then spray on the specific places where you find the pests.
This natural pest control remedy is suitable on nematodes, mites and insects with hard shells, as it suffocates them. It is good for both indoor and outdoor plants but with outdoor plants only use when the sun is gone otherwise it might burn the plant.
Tobacco Spray
Surprised, right? But in the same way that tobacco is dangerous to humans, it’s also harmful to bugs. Tobacco spay can also be used as an insecticides for killing pests, caterpillars, and aphids. The spray is also easy to make, just mix a cup of organic tobacco into one gallon of water and let the mixture sit overnight. It should be light brown in color after 24hours. Add water if it’s dark brown. This can be used in most plants except for the solanaceous family.
Shiny Things
Some garden pests get scared by tinsel decorations. To deter birds you can string some reflective garlands around the garden. This will only work for a few days though since the birds get used to them. You can also get aphids confused by using ribbons placed around the plant or on the soil. The shiny side of aluminum may be used to the same effect.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is useful as a pesticide, among other things, in and around the home. It does the job by absorbing the lipids from insect’s exoskeleton, which then dehydrates them to death. Diatomaceous earth is often available in garden stores and mostly in large bags.
To apply, sprinkle it on foliage or simply dust the ground along your plants where it will help control snails, slugs, and any other crawling insects. Diatomaceous earth needs to be re-applied after every rain due to its dry nature.
Soap
Other than being an ingredient in insect sprays, soap can be used on its own. Have a pure grated soap dissolved in warm water to make up a weak soapy solution. Use approximately 1tablespoonful to approximately 15 liters of water. This remedy controls a variety of soft bugs including spider mites and aphids.
Pyrethrum
The pyrethrum is from the chrysanthemum species of plants, and it’s known to make the most effective insecticide. It also happens to be an ingredient in many commercial pesticides. You can plant some in your garden for your own use. The flower is most effective at full bloom.
Let the flowers dry in an undercover area, preferably in a cool dark place. Grind into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle when it gets brittle and dry. To use, mix 2 teaspoons of the powder to 3 litres of water and then add a quick squirt of liquid soap and let it rest for 3 hours. You should use it immediately or store it in a refrigerated environment, since it loses its potency in 1 or 2 days.
The mixture is a “contact poison” which means that it must come into contact with the pest for it to work. It works by destroying their nervous system. A follow-up spray after two days will be more effective if the insect has come out of hiding. Light and heat encourage pyrethrum deterioration, so it is advisable to spray in the evenings.
Leaves
This remedy works well for the sap-sucking pests and the three most favored leaves to use are tomato and wormwood leaves. Simply boil a bunch of leaves in water and let it cool for a few hours. Use the mixture to spray where there are bugs or caterpillars. Other options such as rhubarb leaves are semi poisonous to humans and the mixture brewed from it kills smaller bugs such as mites, white flies and caterpillars.
Stick Yellow Traps
These are used to attract and kill white flies, leaf hoppers, leaf miners, moth and aphids. Coat yellow boards with glue and tack or hang near plants. The insects will be attracted to the yellow color and then get stuck when they land on it. This trap remains sticky in all seasons even in the rain until it is completely coated with insects or dust.
Fences and other Physical Barriers
These types of barriers are useful and easy to make but will require some handy-person abilities. Aside from the benefits of allowing plenty of light to plants and keeping the warmth in, fences and other barriers also helps to keep insects at bay. If your pest problem involves rabbits and other wildlife, you’ll need a more solid barrier. Fabrics should be removed at blossom time for plants that need insects for pollination.
Mosquitoes and Flies
If your pest problem is more of a personal nature, then here are some ways to get rid of annoying insects such as mosquitoes and flies.
Planting marigold flowers keeps the mosquitoes at bay – the perfume from the flowers is extremely unpleasant for them. Sage and rosemary are also scents that they aren’t too fond of. If you find mosquitoes trying to get at your meat when you’re cooking, throw these herbs on or next to the meat – the fragrance will turn them off.
Placing some basil, lemon grass, mint, or sachets of eucalyptus in areas when you don’t want flies to share your space, will provide an effective deterrent.
Make, Use, Observe, then Modify
Although there are many more natural pest control methods, the above should be a starting point to creating your own version. Paying attention to specific results may help you to modify them to suit whichever of the natural pest control remedies your own issues require. Killing off all the insects should not necessarily be the desired result, since any healthy ecosystem requires an abundance of beneficial insects, fungi, and microbes both in plants and soil. Effective pest management approach can also be implemented by introducing other predatory insects or creating a good habitat for them as well as building soil fertility.
