Making Natural Pesticide

Making Natural Pesticide

Wood Ash

• Wood ash, as a dry powder or in a solution,is effective against many soft bodied or sucking insects.
• Thick applications as mulch will deter nematodes, slugs, snails, etc
• Can also be used as a dry dip for planting materials and cuttings to prevent bacterial, fungal and viral diseases.
• Spray mixtures of wood ash and soap solution will protect plants from flea beetles, mites and stink bugs, etc.

Neem

• Neem sprays neem oil and neem cake, provide protection against a wide range of plant pests.
• Neem spray (mix 500 grams of crushed neem seed in 10 litres of water and let it sit for 12 to 24 overnight).
• Neem oil (use 1 kilogram of neem seed powder in water to make a paste. Alternatively knead and squeeze paste to extract about 100-150ml of neem oil. The remaining solid is neem cake).
• Neem leaf extracts are also effective when combined with other preparations.

Red Peppers

• In powdered, liquid or with other ingredients, red peppers offer protection against many insects and bacterial, fungal and viral diseases.
• Red pepper powder at the base of the plant or sprinkled on dampened plants will deter many pests.
• Liquid sprays can be prepared by using 100 grams of crushed, chopped or dried peppers to 120 litres of water. Solutions can be prepared by boiling or allowing to stand overnight. Filtered and diluted to the required strength.

Milk

• Dilute solution sprays are effective against spider mites and some viral and fungal diseases.
• Use 1 liter of milk in 9 litres of water every 10 days for control of mosaic diseases in tomato.
• Use weaker solutions (1:12) for control of mites and viral and fungal diseases.
• All used in combination with wood ash.

Marigolds

Marigold sprays can deter a wide variety of insect pests and control certain plant diseases. Marigolds can also be planted among crops to act as a natural nematicide. 

• Fill container with water to cover a mixture of stems, leaves and flowers and allow to decompose over 5-10 days. Filter and dilute with water in a 1:2 ratio. Add soap solution for effective spray applications.
• Sprays are also used in combination with onion, garlic and red peppers.

Garlic

• Garlic is lethal to a wide range of insects and controls some fungal and bacterial diseases.
• Garlic spray solutions is prepared by using 1 crushed bulb in 1 litre of water. Add a little soap solution and use immediately.
• Do not use on legume crops since the strong taste will persist for some time.
• Garlic is also effective when used in combination with red peppers, onion and marigolds.