Alternative Pest Sprays

The world of home garden pest control has changed dramatically over the years I've been gardening. The attitude used to be if you see a bug, spray it-more often than not with a chemical spray. Today, an increased awareness of the environment and health concerns are making gardeners think twice about the indiscriminate use of chemical sprays. Hosts of new organic pest control products are on the market that kill targeted pests and are less harmful to the natural world. But you can also concoct a few home remedies right in the kitchen to keep pests and diseases at bay.

Hot Pepper Anyone?
Probably one of the most basic of home remedy pest controls is a hot pepper spray. There are commercial products mixing hot pepper with wax, but I like to make my own using hot pepper and garlic. I add 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper flakes and 2 cloves of garlic into the blender. I blend them together with a dash of liquid soap and 1 quart of water, then strain. I spray this mix on soft-bodied insects such as aphids and they go running. It also repels critters such as rabbits. Reapply this mixture after a rain.

Baking Soda for Roses
Many gardeners have heard of dissolving 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in 1 gallon of water and adding it to their roses for healthier leaves and better blossoms. There's another kitchen item that will help roses as well. A baking soda solution sprayed on rose leaves prevents the spread of powdery mildew and black spot disease. Research at Cornell University shows that mixing 3 teaspoons baking soda with 2 tablespoons horticultural or summer oil in 1 gallon of water will create a mixture that stops these fungal diseases. Use this recipe as a preventive spray every 10 to 14 days.

Biological Sprays
Not all my sprays are from the kitchen. Different strains of Bt (Bacillus thuriengensis) have been used for years to control cabbageworms and Colorado potato beetles. Spray Bt in late afternoon to avoid the hot summer sun and add a dash of liquid soap to help it stick to the leaves. Once an insect eats the bacteria it will die within a few days. This is a great control because it only effects targeted insects and is harmless to beneficial insects, animals, and humans.

So, if you're looking for a pest or disease control agent, first check out your kitchen pantry, then look for organic controls at your garden center.

Photography by NationalGardening.com

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