Organic Garden Pest Control Sprays

Chemical pesticides are harmful to the environment and other wildlife apart from the pests. If a severe pest problem occurs effective natural insecticidal sprays can be used to control pests.

Garden Spray Tips

If methods of natural predation (encouraging natural predators of any specific pest), hand removing pest infestations and water spraying doesn’t work then organic natural sprays can be made to deter pests. Read Natural Garden Pest Control for ways to treat pest infestations without sprays. As plant oils and other organic substances are used the sprays are environment friendly.

Natural pest control sprays are inexpensive, non-toxic and an ideal alternative to pesticides. Use the following tips to ensure the sprays do not damage plants:

• Test the spray on a few leaves for sensitivity a few days before spraying an entire plant.
• Prevent damage from the sun’s rays by spraying plants on cloudy days or in the evening.
• Use sprays only as a last resort; a small number of pests mean predators will have a source of food and reason to visit the garden.

Homemade Non-toxic Pest Sprays

Many natural sprays use scent to repel pests, others use oil to suffocate soft bodied insects. Ensure that beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings and bees are not accidental targets of any sprays.

Garlic and Pepper Spray

Garlic and pepper deters pests from eating plants; the oil suffocates pests such as scale and it also kills ants, aphids, caterpillars and a host of other pests.

• 10 cloves of garlic
• 8 hot chilli peppers
• 1 tablespoon oil
• ½ teaspoon natural liquid dishwashing soap
• 2 pints water

1. Chop the garlic and peppers and blend with water.
2. Steep overnight.
3. Strain the mixture and add the oil and soap.
4. Pour into a spray bottle and shake well before use.

Always check for any damage to young and tender plants. Spray plants once a week and after rain until pests are under control. The spray can be kept refrigerated for up to four weeks.

Herbal Insect Repellent Spray

Chives, feverfew and rue repel destructive leaf eating garden pests.

• 30g chopped fresh feverfew leaves
• 30g chopped fresh chives
• 30g chopped fresh rue
• 2 pints boiling water ½ teaspoon
• Natural liquid dishwashing soap
• ½ teaspoon oil

1. Pour boiling water over the herbs.
2. Cover and steep until cool.
3. Strain and pour into a pump spray bottle.
4. Add the oil and soap and shake well before use.

Essential Oil Pest Repellent Spray

Sage is a natural insect repellent and combined with lavender and thyme helps to control destructive pests.

• 3 drops sage essential oil
• 3 drops thyme essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 teaspoon rubbing alcohol
• 4 pints water

Mix the oils with the alcohol and then combine with the water in a pump spray bottle.

Natural garden pest control sprays repel destructive pests without the need for harmful chemicals. Ensuring sprays are only used as a last resort means the fragile balance of beneficial insects to pests isn’t disrupted in the garden. Natural insecticides result in organic fruit and vegetables safe for human consumption.

Sources:

• Vukovic, Laurel, 1001 Natural Remedies, Dorling Kindersley, 2003
• Chevallier, Andrew, Herbal Remedies Handbook, Dorling Kindersley, 2001