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Nothing ruins a gardener or a day of owner completely as noted a Infestation of pests , Whether it is aphids on a rose, ants in a kitchen area or slugs in a plot of lettuce. If you are interested in non -toxic alternatives to hard chemicals, you can turn to natural insecticides. These formulas eliminate problems similar to heavier pesticides (in fact, many of their ingredients are even used in these products!) But are generally safer and easier in the environment. Continue to read to find out more about the best DIY alternatives and expert advice on using them most effectively.

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What are the advantages of homemade pesticides?

There are many reasons why house gardeners and antiparasitic wrestling companies can promote homemade pesticides for plants.

"Choosing a natural way of managing garden parasites is like choosing a gardening style that cares to keep things balanced in the wild", explains Michel Johnson , entomologist and founder of Ciao bedbugs . "They are good for the environment and decompose without causing harm. In addition, they help keep useful insects, such as pollinators, around secret heroes who keep your garden in harmony."

Natural solutions are also excellent if you have a courtyard where children and animals like to play. Although traditional pesticides can be toxic, harmful or irritating when ingested, inhaled or touched, natural people have a minimum risk - they can feel funky or bad taste, but most will not cause problems.

Of course, the toxicity of pesticides also applies to adults, in particular those who spend a lot of time applying or inhaling them while performing other gardening tasks.

Finally, the use of a natural insecticide guarantees that you do not involuntarily harm a neighboring plant. According to University of California Agriculture and Natural Resource , "Pesticides can seriously damage certain plants." If you use something hard, you will want to read the label to make sure you don't hurt a plant or use a product near a plant that could be intolerant.

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10 natural insecticides to try at home

Natural pesticides are often safe, but before using one on a whole plant, it is intelligent to do a punctual test to check that the plant reacts well to your solution. Some plants could be intolerant to certain ingredients, and you would better harm a sheet as opposed to a whole plant.

1. Display soap spray

A soft liquid soap works better against soft body insects such as aphids, mites and white flies.

"The mechanism behind its prowess lies in the disturbance of the membranes of insect cells, causing dehydration and possible death," explains Johnson . It is also suitable for a budget, because your only expenses are liquid dish soap or something like Castile soap, which you should be able to find between $ 2 and $ 7.

To do it, mix a tablespoon of dish soap with a liter of water and add the solution to a spray bottle. (Johnson says that it is better to start sweeter and make your way to a less diluted solution if the problem does not disappear.)

"Spray the affected plants, covering the surfaces of the upper and lower leaves," advises Johnson. It is best to apply early in the morning or at the end of the evening to avoid potential sun damage, and you will want to reapply once a week.

2. Vegetable oil spray

A vegetable spraying solution is another large weapon against soft body insects such as aphids and mites. "This concocion creates an emulsion that covers insects, disturbing their respiratory functions," explains Johnson. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

The simple recipe includes only three ingredients: a cup of vegetable oil, a tablespoon of soap with soft liquid flat and water; If you don't already have these items like pantry staples, they will cost you between $ 5 and $ 12.

To use the spraying, cover the upper and lower surfaces with each sheet, either early in the morning or at the end of the evening, because the oil leaves the leaves vulnerable to the damage to the sun, especially if the plant is in full sun. Start by applying the solution once a week, although you may want more frequently depending on the severity of the infestation.

"Adapting your application to the unique needs of each plant and to the specific landscape of pests provides optimal and durable results," explains Johnson.

3. Neem oil spray

Neem oil comes from the Neem tree and can be used to eliminate insects such as aphids, beetles, fruit flies, speeds and mites. It has been used as a natural pesticide for centuries, but these days, there are many options available commercially in the $ sub10 range.

Buy a pre-averted version or mix about 1.5 teaspoons of pure neem oil And a teaspoon of dish soap with a liter of water. Spritz on all parts of the plant about once a week in the morning or in the evening. It works by putting on bugs so that they are sufficient and to reduce their desire to eat, which leads to famine.

4. spray with chili pepper

According to Shannon Harlow-Ellis , technical specialist at Joe mosquito , the spray chili of the pepper dissuades pests because of its capsaicin content, which irritates their mouths and skin. It is effective in keeping mammals like tamias, squirrels and even remote deer, dissuade insects such as aphids and ants, and kill insects like mites.

For the recipe, finely cut a handful of peppers and mix them in a liter of water (you can also use a mixer or a food processor here). If you want to add an additional boost, include a few drops of liquid dish soap to help the mixture to stay with plants - in total, that should only cost $ 5.

Spray each top and bottom on the sheet with the evening solution or in the middle of the morning and reappear every three to four days or after high precipitation.

5. Garlic spray

A chilli and a garlic spray can also be effective against aphids - and even if you do not have these ingredients at hand, it should not cost more than $ 6 to do.

Nathan Heinrich , A horticulturalist And botanical designer, suggests boiling 10 to 15 peppers with any variety in a gallon of water with 10 to 12 chopped garlic cloves. Then let the mixture stand for 24 hours. "Filter the liquid in a seellable gallon container and add two to three tablespoons of olive oil to help the liquid to stick to the leaves and stems of the plants you treat," he said, adding that soap dishwashing also works instead of olive oil.

Apply to all parts of the plant in the morning or in the evening every three to four days or until the insects left.

Similar to the mixture of straight pepper, it nests aphids and other insects and prevents squirrels, tamias, deer, rabbits and rats to eat your plants and vegetables. Just be sure to wash the edible plants carefully before eating!

6. Rosemary oil spray

Another Heinrich's favorite strategies of rosemary is to naturally eliminate pests. "It works in three distinct ways," he said. It paralyzes insects by disturbing their nervous systems, blocks the ability of the insect to breathe and dissuade insects with an intense perfume.

"Rosemary oil is very effective in killing mites, butterflies, flies, white flies, ladder and aphids," he said. Heinrich likes commercial products, as Control of allied insects of the earth ($ 10 on Amazon ). You can also fill a water spray bottle and add a few drops of rosemary oil, which generally sells less than $ 10 per bottle. SPRITEZ it on all parts of the plant if necessary.

7. Diedoma land

The earth of diatoms is a gentle sedimentary rock created by algae dust. The variety used for antiparasitic control is available in the form of powder and generally costs $ 15 for a bag of four pounds . It is particularly good for killing insects with exoskeletons, such as cockroaches and ants, according to Initiated , and works by dehydrating insects and their habitats, either killing or making them difficult to live.

Experts suggest using a Duster with a nozzle to apply the powder near the plant base and to block the tunnels that insects use to sail towards and out of your home. If you use the earth of diatoms outside, reappear it after the rain.

8. Pyrethrines spray

It is an organic pesticide that comes from the chrysanthemum cinerarifolium flower and can be used to control mosquitoes, flies, flies Arbico organics .

There are many commercial options available for less than $ 10, and most are preferred to make a DIY spray, which requires an intensive process of soaking dried flowers for a long time. Spray it directly on a plant or infestation.

9. Beer spray trap

Excellent news: you can use a remaining pint to create a natural insecticide that is effective against slugs and snails.

"Here is the idea: the yeast in the beer emits a tempting perfume, like a scented invitation, attracting slugs and snails with an aqueous end," explains Johnson.

To create the trap, cut the square holes two inches wide in a plastic container, like a bottle of soda. The holes should be about 1.5 inches from the bottom of the bottle, and the plastic shutters used to cut the squares should point downwards. Fill the base of the bottle (under the squares) with beer and place the bottle in the ground. The slugs will climb the plastic shutters in the trap, then fall into beer and drown.

You will want to change the beer every few days. All in all, this trap should not cost more than a dollar or two per week.

10. Vinegar spray

A vinegar spray works like a large natural insecticide both in the garden and in the house, killing pests like mosquitoes and spiders and making it difficult for ants to follow their usual paths.

"Thanks to the strong smell of vinegar, he becomes a goalkeeper, keeping certain bugs with his spicy perfume," said Johnson.

To do it, mix 1.5 cup of white vinegar with a quarter of water. Spritz around your input points to keep insects remotely or spray insects directly. You can spray the plants directly, but first make sure the spot test because some plants do not agree with the acidity of the vinegar. Reappear as needed - if you do not spray a plant directly, you can even use this mixture several times a day for about $ 1 per sprayer bottle.

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Additional methods

In addition to using a pesticide for plants, you can also try the companion plantation. It is at this point that you plant certain plants with the properties of fighting parasites alongside others whose defenses could be lower.

For example, when you plant cucumbers next to corn, cucumbers dissuade Life in freedom . In addition, concern anywhere can help prevent aphid infestations. You will need to search for plants that fight the specific problem of pests you have in your courtyard.

Conclusion

There are many ways to prevent and stop infestation of pests without using difficult chemicals. Certain homemade solutions can be used to combat specific pests, as well as the formulations available commercially that use similar natural ingredients. These options are better for the environment and are non -toxic, which makes them ideal for areas that children, pets and even adults frequent.

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