Overview
Pesticides are an important part of any garden grower's routine for maximizing a garden's growing potential. However, many of them can be damaging to the garden or the environment. There are many organic pesticides that are useful for garden growers who wish to keep their food free from pests as safely as possible. This is a list of some of the most common and easiest to use.
Detergent Mixes
Liquid detergent can be used to create effective pesticides. Mix one teaspoon of detergent with one cup of vegetable oil to create a detergent mix. Use this mix with alcohol or red pepper to create an effective pesticide. It's useful for most insects, but it should only be used outside.
Tobacco or Nicotine Spray
If the use of detergent bothers you, another possibility is a tobacco spray. Mix one cup of tobacco with one gallon of water. Let it sit for twenty-four hours. This spray is useful against caterpillars and aphids, but it should never be used with tomatoes, peppers or eggplants. It can damage or even kill them.
Garlic Spray
Garlic is another useful type of organic pesticide. Soak garlic in mineral oil for a day. Dissolve one teaspoon of fish emulsion in a pint of water. Add it to the garlic mixture. Stir, strain and store in a glass container. Dilute this mixture with twenty parts water to one part solution. Useful for mosquitoes, aphids and onion flies.
Talcum Powder
Talcum Powder is an easy and cheap for use against pests. It's best used against flea beetles and corn ear worms. After it rains, put a light coating on your plants.
Soapy Water
This is a very easy pesticide to use. Simply take soapy water. Put it in a sprayer, and spray it over your plants. Most insects will be repelled by the soap, and it is safe for your plants.
- Doc and Katy Abraham. "Effective and Nontoxic Products to Zap Pesky Bugs." Motherearthnews.com. Accessed June 11, 2009
- Katherine West. "Homemade Organic Pesticide." essortment.com. Accessed June 11, 2009
- Sally Odium. "Organic Pest Control and Pesticide." Suite101.com. Accessed June 11, 2009
About this Author
Eric Benac began writing professionally in 2001. After working as an editor at Alpena Community College in Michigan and receiving his Associate of Journalism, he received a Bachelor of Science in English and a Master of Arts in writing from Northern Michigan University in Marquette.
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