Organic Garden Pesticides

Pest control is one of the integral and indispensable gardening chores. While there are many different types of synthetic pesticides available in the market, more and more people are now resorting to organic ones. If you are a person interested in gardening or who is already involved in maintaining one, then, you might be conversant with the term organic gardening. As per this concept, synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are replaced with organic ones, so as to save our environment as well as our health. It is said that most of the synthetic pesticides and fertilizers contain dangerous chemicals that are not good for the plants, soil and the ecosystem as a whole.

Homemade Organic Pesticides

With the increasing popularity of organic gardening, you may find organic garden pesticides and fertilizers readily available in garden stores. It has been observed that they come with a heavy price tag. Some of these pesticides may not prove effective too. So, it is always better to prepare some homemade organic pesticides that can be effective, inexpensive as well as safe. Such pesticides can be made from easily available household materials.

Organic Pesticides With Garlic

Garlic is very popular as an organic garden pesticide, as it can be effective against a wide range of pests. Planting garlic in between roses is found to be effective in getting rid of aphids. Even red spider mite attacks on tomatoes can be prevented with this method. You can protect your fruit trees from borers, by planting garlic around them. A homemade organic garden pesticide spray can be prepared with garlic by mixing garlic powder and water. Another method is to crush three to four ounces of garlic bulbs and mix it with two tablespoons of mineral oil. Keep it overnight and the next day, combine the mixture with a pint of water and a teaspoon of fish emulsion. You can strain and store it in a container made of glass. Use as and when required, but, make sure to dilute one part of this homemade organic pesticide with 20 parts water, before use. This solution is found to be effective against mosquitoes, aphids and onion flies. some people make a paste of one garlic bulb mix it with two tablespoons of vegetable oil and two cups of water. This is kept overnight and is strained next day, before mixing with a tablespoon of dish soap (sans bleach). This solution can be sprayed on the infected garden plants directly.

Other Homemade Organic Pesticides

Apart from garlic, there are many other materials that can be used to prepare organic pesticides. The following are some of the commonly used organic garden pesticides that are made at home.

• You can prepare a good homemade organic garden pesticide by crushing some tomato leaves and mixing it with a tablespoon of cornstarch and a few pints (4 to 5) of water. Strain this mixture and spray on plants to ward off pests.
• Hot peppers are one of the best choices for preparing organic pesticides for your garden. All you have to do is to make a puree of half cup chopped hot peppers and mix it with two cups of water. Keep it overnight and strain it the next day. Mix two tablespoons of dish soap (sans bleach) and use on plants for getting rid of bugs.
• Baking soda can also be used for this purpose. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a tablespoon of vegetable oil, two quarts water and a teaspoon of dish soap (sans bleach). Spray the solution on plants.
• Tobacco can be used effectively as an organic garden pesticide. You have to take a quart of water and shred some cigarettes (around 10) into it. Keep it overnight and strain the nicotine solution the next day. Add a teaspoon of dish soap (sans bleach) and combine well before spraying on plants.
• Lastly, there are different types of plants that can be planted along with the garden plants to ward off pests. They include catnip that can repel Colorado potato beetles, squash bugs, weevils and ants. For aphids, fleas and cabbage pests, anise can be planted in the garden.

Apart from the above mentioned ones, there are various other organic garden pesticides like neem oil, hot pepper wax as well as powder, ryania (toxic to fish and birds) derived from Ryania speciosa plant (is toxic for dogs) and sabadilla (derived from the South American sabadilla lily) are also good options. Before using these organic pesticides, it will be better to understand more about the particular pest that has affected your plants and the right pesticide. You may also consult a horticulturist to gain a thorough understanding about organic pesticides and their correct usage.