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Non-Toxic Bug Spray

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Aurora blog photos
Joined: 4/24/2008
Location: Chesapeake VA
Posts: 1954
Posted: May/10/2008 11:34 AM PST

While at one of my local nurseries today I picked up this info sheet. The beekeepers that had a set-up were giving it out. Once I notice any pest problems I'll try this out and let everyone know how it works

It's from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture:

U.S. Dept. of Agr. researchers report that a low-cost, effective insecticide can be formulated at home using cooking oil and detergent. A gallon of the spray costs less than 50 cents.

It gives good control of many pests, including aphids, whiteflies, and spidermites. In some cases, the home remedy is better than a pesticide spray because many garden pests have developed a resistance to certain chemicals.

Ingredients for the Stock Solution:
1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid (Dawn, Ivory)
1 cup cooking oil (peanut, safflower, soybean)

For Ready to Use spray, mix:
4 teaspoons of Stock sloution
1 pint of water

Using a pump sprayer or atomizer bottle, spray plants THOROUGHLY (thorough coverage is the key to good pest control)

It is best to spray when the day temperature is below 85 degrees

This mix can be used on vegetables and herbs, as well as ornamental plants.
sweetlebee blog photos
Joined: 5/09/2005
Location:
Posts: 19587
Posted: May/10/2008 6:10 PM PST

Yep. That's all you need. I was told once to shake it up because it's the foam that suffocates the insects. Be sure not to spray in direct sun because it can burn the foliage, so get out there in your robe at 6 am.
witt blog photos
Joined: 3/28/2008
Location: Lancaster, SC
Posts: 16643
Moderator
Posted: May/11/2008 6:17 AM PST

Sounds easy enough! I'll have to try it!
stereoman blog photos
Joined: 3/17/2008
Location: beautiful southern appalachians
Posts: 2168
Posted: May/11/2008 2:26 PM PST

Sounds like a great "dark of night with flashlights" kind of family activity. Thanks for the info, Aurora!
Aurora blog photos
Joined: 4/24/2008
Location: Chesapeake VA
Posts: 1954
Posted: May/11/2008 3:10 PM PST

That's a great one Stereoman! Maybe I can combine it with a "Snipe" hunt!
DomesticLaura photos
Joined: 5/13/2008
Location: Suburban, Massachusetts
Posts: 77
Posted: May/14/2008 11:40 AM PST

Great idea...and so much cheaper than the bottled neem oil soap I bought last year!
kpeavey
Joined: 10/17/2008
Location: in transit
Posts: 8
Posted: Oct/17/2008 8:51 PM PST

Mix up two batches.

Batch 1, as listed above

Batch 2, add a couple teaspoons of lemon juice.

apply the 2 batches to different sides of the garden, see which one works better for you. The lemon juice seems to break the oil into smaller particles, lets it flow better or helps it to give a finer coating to the plants. Whatever the reason, I've tried the 2 batch test, and the little bit of lemon juice works better.

Other potions to try:
toss some rosemary in the blender with some water, then run the blend through a strainer, an old sock works just fine. Spray it on yourself. It might not do much for picking up chicks, but the mosquitos will leave you alone.

Garlic and water in a blender, strain it, spray it directly on plants. The garlic produces an enzyme called allicin when it is crushed. The allicin has antibiotic properties. Spraying it on your plants helps knock down bacterial diseases, molds, and mildews. It drives off some bugs, and surely helps keep the rabbits at bay.

Tomato leaves and water in the blender. Spray directly on plants, helps to drive off insects, sees to work well on aphids. Has a strong odor to it.

Herbs in a blender work much the same way as the tomato leaves. The strong odor is not the only thing that drives off the bugs. Some bugs will have a reaction with some plant teas. Basil has some strong acids in it that are water soluble. The acids come out in the tea. Oregano should be tried as well.

Most of these teas are made more potent by using hot water in the blender. Be sure to let it cool before spraying your plants.
Be sure to filter the tea. It's not a problem for your plants, the problem is in clogging the nozzle of your sprayer.
shiningstone08 blog photos
Joined: 10/06/2008
Location: Monrovia, CA
Posts: 15
Posted: Oct/22/2008 5:35 PM PST

Do any of the previously mentioned concoctions work on caterpillars? I just removed five fat little suckers from my lettuce; they almost took it to the ground If not, what will keep them away?
damethod blog photos
Joined: 5/04/2008
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 637
Posted: Oct/30/2008 6:01 AM PST

Quote:
Originally posted by kpeavey
Other potions to try:
toss some rosemary in the blender with some water, then run the blend through a strainer, an old sock works just fine. Spray it on yourself. It might not do much for picking up chicks, but the mosquitos will leave you alone.


LOL Yeah, I don't think it should be used as an organic cologne.
ceejay2005
Joined: 7/16/2009
Location: vestal
Posts: 1
Posted: Jul/16/2009 11:28 PM PST

I would go with natural, beacusue it doen't harm the environment or your children. If your kids are very little, then you should definatly use natural, but if you have a bit older kids, then I would only use the other kind if they don't breathe too much of it. The natural may have to be applied a few more times because it is weaker, but you still get good results. Hope this could help you http://www.pestbomb.com
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