Safer for the environment and for your family that chemical sprays, these homebrewed garden sprays deter insects and improve the health of your garden. To be effective, natural insect sprays should be applied frequently to break the breeding cycle of common pests.

Insect Spray Concentrate

• 3 unpeeled garlic heads
• 3 ounces liquid paraffin
• 1 tablespoon grated oil based soap (or Ivory Snow)
• 2 cups hot water

1. Crush garlic heads and add to parafin in a small bowl. Let stand for 24 hours.
2. Melt soap in hot water. Allow to cool.
3. Add soap mixture to garlic mixture.
4. Strain into a glass jar and store in refrigerator.

To use insect spray, dilute 4 tablespoons of concentrate in 4 pints of water. Spray at least every two weeks.

Wormwood Spray

• 8 ounces wormwood leaves
• 3 pints water
• 1 teaspoon Ivory Snow
• 2 cups hot water

1. Simmer wormwood leaves in 3 pints of water for 30 minutes. Stir, strain, and leave to cool.
2. Dissolve ivory snow in 2 cups of hot water. Add to wormwood water.

This spray is best used against caterpillars.

Red Pepper Spray Concentrate

• 1 unpeeled onion
• 1 unpeeled head of garlic
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 3 pints water

1. Chop onion and garlic and combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Simmer 20 minutes.
2. Cool and store in jars in the refrigerator for 6 weeks.
3. Strain and store in jars.

To use, dilute 1 tablespoons of concentrate with 1 pint of water. Add a little Ivory snow. Red pepper spray is a good general insect spray and is effective against caterpillars.

Comfrey Foliar Feed

• 2 plastic buckets
• Comfrey leaves
• Plate
• Brick or other heavy object that fits inside bucket
• Flower pot that fits inside bucket

1. Cut holes into the bottom of a plastic bucket.
2. Fill bucket 3/4 full with comfrey leaves. Pack down tightly.
3. Place a plate on top of the leaves and weigh it down with a brick or other heavy object.
4. Place an upside down flower pot inside another bucket. Set the bucket containing comfrey leaves on top of the flower pot.
5. After 3 weeks, there should be a brown liquid in the bottom of the lower bucket. Bottle this liquid, an place the contents of the top bucket in the compost heap.

To use comfrey spray, dilute 1 tablespoon with 2 pints of water. Add a little Ivory snow.

More Information

• Beneficial Insects