Some homemade and organic natural pesticides
- Part 1 -

Dr Jogesh Laishram *

These days many individuals like to cultivate their own vegetables at home and many are cultivating the same. To protect these vegetables from different pests, pesticides are required. Pesticide can be of two types 1. Chemical pesticides 2. Organic pesticides.

Chemical pesticides are harmful to human health and animals and also to our environment as compared to organic pesticides which are harmless to human health, animals and environment. Organic natural pesticides are also inexpensive and readily available.

So, we need to adopt natural ones or organic pesticides which are not harmful. Below are some few organic natural pesticides that could be used in the vegetables grown at our homes and their methods of application.

1. Neem Oil Spray

Neem has a long history of being utilized in medication and cooking. It not only acts as pest deterrent but can treat other garden diseases like powdery mildew and rust. It has an unpleasant taste and a solid scent that helps get the pests far from garden. It is not only non-toxic for people, animals, and plants but also biodegradable.

Methods of application

Neem oil is broadly available at garden stores or natural food markets. For its application producer’s guidelines should be adhered. We can also likewise make our own application methods. For 1 liter of neem oil, utilize 1 quarter of warm water, 1 teaspoon of neem oil, and two teaspoons of mild liquid soap. Blend water and soap, and shake them well, so the soap dissolves in water.

Then, at that point, add the neem oil and shake once more. Neem oil pesticide with a concentration of 0.5% is made. More neem oil can be added to make a stronger concentration. Proceed cautiously with how much neem oil is use, as an excessive amount of it can destroy the plant.

The mixture can be utilized to spray the affected plant leaves. Before they get infested neem can be used on young plants. It is effective for 22 days. Neem oil is protective against 600 insects like caterpillars, aphids, beetles, mealybugs, scale, thrip etc.

2. Pepper Spray

Capsaicin, the compound that gives peppers the hot taste is present in Pepper spray. It can be used to repel mammals. By causing membrane damage and metabolic disruption capsaicin also kills insects. Numerous insects will sense the pepper spray and will keep away from the treated plants.

Methods of application

Gloves and a mask should be worn while making and applying pepper spray since it can cause inconvenience in the eyes. It should not be applied on a windy day to be on the safe side. Two tablespoons of red cayenne pepper or paprika is mixed with a gallon of water. Then six drops of mild dish soap can be added. This makes the solution bind. The mixer can be empty into a spray bottle and apply at dusk.

The mixer is spray till there is a nice coat over the foliage and underside of the leaves. It is repeated every 3 to 5 days and after a rainfall. Pepper spray is good against spider mites, aphids, and deer. This spray can harm honey bees, so it should be use whenever they have returned to their hives in the evenings.

3. Vegetable Oil Spray

Commonly used vegetable oils for cooking like soybean oil and cottonseed are effective against pesticides. The making and using of vegetable oil spray is similar to the soap dish and this also contains soap. The mixer of oil and cleanser covers the insect’s body and chokes out it by obstructing the pores through which the insect breathes.

Methods of application

Blend one cup of vegetable oil and one tablespoon of mild soap. After mixing well, add two teaspoons of the blend to one quarter of water. Fill the mixer in a spray bottle or a gardener sprayer, and shake thoroughly.

Then, spray the top and lower part of each leaf, and if essential, the stems. Likewise with the soap dish, it should not be apply during the heat of the day, but in the early morning or evening. Vegetable oil is effective against aphids, beetles, whiteflies, thrips, and mites. To ensure the soap, water and oil are mixed well during the application the spray bottle should be pause and shake many times.

4. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is customarily utilized in business medications. It has a warm and earthy smell, and it can assuage stress. Nonetheless, it can relieve pests as well as stress.

Methods of application

Eucalyptus oil can be applied to plants in three distinct ways:
Repel - Many insects like as ants keep away from strong scents like eucalyptus. Use ¼ teaspoon of eucalyptus oil in one cup of water. The mixture is put in a spray bottle and shake well to mix. Then it is apply to infected parts of the plants every three days.

Wipe out - To kill off the insects, put one teaspoon of eucalyptus oil with half a teaspoon of liquid dish detergent and two cups of water. The mixer is pour in a spray bottle and shake well. Apply to plants every three days until all the insects are eliminated.

Mulch - Eucalyptus wood contains eucalyptus oil. Shredded or chipped eucalyptus wood can be used. As the mulch separates, it gives out oil. This will take weeks, so the plants will be insect-free for a long time. In case when the eucalyptus mulch is not found, pine mulch can be use and spray eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil is good against mosquitoes, ants, gnats and kills aphids, whiteflies, mites, and earwigs.

5. Dish Soap

Dish soap is a commonly used household ingredient which is used for washing dishes. Hence, it is cheap and easily available.

Methods of application

In a large bucket, blend one and a half teaspoons of mild fluid dish cleanser with one fourth of water. Empty the blend into a spray bottle or a nursery garden sprayer and splash the contaminated surface of the plant. Splash the undersides, tops of leaves, stems, buds and sprouts completely. Repeat each 7 to 14 days until all the pests are removed.

Cover the top and lower part of the leaf with the spray, and use it in the early morning or evening. Try not to splash in the middle of the day when plants are exposed to heat and direct sunlight. The cleanser dish work great against aphids, mites, beetles and whiteflies. Using of soap with bleach and using too much soap should be avoided as these can ruin the plants.


To be continued....