There are homemade ways to keep bugs off your plants.
From time to time your plants fall victim to the nuisance of insects. There are countless products available in your local gardening stores to help get rid of these pests, but they often contain harsh chemicals and carry a heavy price tag. The truth is, you can make your own insect repellent at home that will get rid of the bugs on your plants without the use of dangerous poisons. And you'll get the job done for pennies on the dollar. Using some common household ingredients you probably already have at hand, you can effectively shoo the insects away. Does this Spark an idea?
Cayenne Spray
Add a little spice to the insect's lives by concocting a hot pepper repellent that will rid your plants of insects. Wash out a spray bottle and add two tablespoons of cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce. Put in two or three drops of liquid dish soap and then fill the bottle with water. Shake it and allow the mixture to stand for an entire day. The next day simply spray this liquid on your plants to keep all types of bugs from invading your garden. If they do come around, they will leave quickly once they realize what you've done.
Oil Spray
Soft-bodied insects such as mites, mealy bugs and aphids can be smothered to death with oil. Using cooking oil like canola mixed with liquid soap and water makes an excellent pesticide for these types of pests. Use one quart of water and add a teaspoon of canola oil and a few drops of the soap and shake it well. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray the plants you wish to protect from top to bottom, making sure you also coat the underside of the leaves. The concoction is perfectly safe for the plants, but deadly to many bugs that tend to cause problems in the garden.
Easy Soap Spray
You can make an easy soap-based repellent to get rid of soft-bodied insects without the oil or pepper additives. Simply put more soap in your mixture. In a gallon of water you can add three tablespoons of soap flakes and mix it together. Do not use laundry or dishwasher detergent. You can put the mixture into spray bottles and spray your plants to protect them from aphids and other soft insects.
Bug Guts Cocktail
Sometimes it's best to fight bugs with bugs. When the plants are covered in the scent of death, it's reasonable to think insects would avoid an area. Although it's a bit brutal, take your flyswatter and begin killing some of the bugs invading your plants. Gather up a good sized pile of their carcasses and use an old blender to liquefy the bug guts. You'll need at least a half-cup of dead bugs. Add enough water to make a thick solution and then strain out the solids through cheesecloth. Dilute 1/4-cup of your solution with one cup of fresh water in a spray bottle. Spray the pheromone-laced cocktail on your plants to warn insects to steer clear.
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