Organic Pest Sprays

Seen one of these sapsuckers? I’ll bet you have never seen ONE! They (like borg) are aphids – they are so prolific, that you will NEVER see one – they come in groups, swarms or infestations… The good news is they are fairly easy to deter. Left unattended, they will literally suck the life out of the leaves of many plants, leaving a shell of a leaf frame. I’ll admit the eaten leaves have a certain pretty, lace-like effect in sunlight…. but it prevents the plant from getting the nutrition it needs – so try a good, stiff spray of water to knock them off.  Encourage ladybugs, sparrows, or finches to visit (they all LOVE aphids!) your yard and garden. If they are still on the rise, you might want to try one of these combinations below. I’ve gathered these recipes over the years from friends and experience… The debate from friends is which “liquid detergent” to use – some of them swear by DAWN, others JOY … some say it doesn’t matter, any liquid detergent will do. The good news is they are VERY easy to make and VERY affordable. Please use the common sense precautions for storing any deterrent – X and label the bottle, store above child & pet reach – you know the drill.

#1 All Around Spray - This fragrant mix will put a dent in an aphid invasion! It is also detrimental to fungi spores that might be lingering on your plants

1 tbsp. of *Garlic Oil
3 drops of dishwashing liquid
1 qt. of water

Mix these ingredients together in a blender, and pour the solution into a hand-held sprayer. Then take aim and fire. Within seconds, those bugs’ will be on the run!

* To make your own Garlic Oil *
1 bulb of garlic, minced
1 cup of vegetable oil
Mix the minced garlic and the oil, and pour into a glass jar with a tight lid. Put the jar in the refrigerator and “steep” the oil for a day or two. Then strain out the solids, and pour the oil into a fresh jar with a lid. Keep a batch of this potent oil in the fridge, and you’ll always have ammunition against aphids and other garden thugs.

#2 Hot Pepper Spray This is reputed to repel, deer, rabbits and other pests from your flowers and some vegetables. Note, use caution with vegetables as a peppery taste may remain on fruit.

Ingredients: 6 hot peppers (hotter the better), 2 C water, 1 Quart of water

Put hot peppers and two cups of water into a blender. Mix at high speed for 1-2 minutes. Pour into a container and set aside for one day. Strain liquid through a cheese cloth. Add liquid into a one quart container. Fill container to top with water. Fill your spray bottle and label. Apply liberally to plants. Re-apply every week to two weeks or after a rain.

#3 Coriander spray Spray early in the morning on infested plant parts. This spray is useful for Spider mites, aphids and is Anti-fungal

Ingredients:
*200 grams of seeds, 1 liter of water, Mortar and pestle, 1 liter spray bottle
*Note* An excellent source of inexpensive coriander seeds is your local Asian store – they usually sell in 2oz packets for about 99 cents.

Crush seeds. Boil in water for 10 minutes. Cool. Strain. This will create the extract for your spray.
Dilute extract with 2 liters of water.

Please – Always LABEL and STORE solutions properly

A spray of capsicum to the face is no fun at all!