Let's talk about insects, shall we? About how much we hate them? And then, let's talk about an organic bug spray recipe.
Some days I can take a sucker punch, and some days I can't. Today was one of the “can't” days. Today was one of the I'm-going-to-loose-my-mind days. So when I went out to find my broccoli nibbled to teeny nubs, I may have lost it a little bit.
Shovels were thrown.
Fences were punched.
Chickens were kickedacross the barnyard.
I'm kidding! I would never throw a shovel.
Regardless, I came back into the house – steam coming from my ears – and decided I had one of two choices. I could either a) pray that the Lord would eliminate every single broccoli-nibbling-critter from here to kingdom come OR I couldb) try and be an adult and come up with a better solution, like perhaps coming up with anorganic bug spray recipemyself.
A quick reference in my gardening manual led me to anorganicbug spray recipe. That coupled with a few others I've heard of over the years lead me to the cookstove. Go figure.
Shaye? At the cookstove? Who'd've thunk.
I was ready to really bring my A-Game on these stupid bugs. I don't care if they were hungry. I don't care if they have to have their place in the food chain. I want them GONE! Because I love broccoli.
Organic Bug Spray Recipe
You will need:
– 1 organic onion
– 1 entire head organic garlic
– 1 teaspoon organiccayenne pepper
– 1 quart water
– 1 tablespoon dish soap
– 1 spray bottle
1. Mince or finely chop the onion and garlic. You don't have to peel them if you don't want to. I just threw them both in my food processor and practically liquified them. Chop. Mince. Liquify. Do what you want.
2. Combine the minced onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, and water together in a large saucepan. Turn the heat on low and let it gently simmer, infuse if you will, for 45-60 minutes.
By the way, your house is going to smell horrible. If you've got an outside cookstove I'd recommend doing that. Because seriously. It stinks baaaad.
Bad. I really want to emphasize that. Do NOT cook this pest spray before you have company or they'll wonder what sort of dead carcass you have hidden under your house.
3. Once the mixture has simmered, allow it to cool to room temperature. Lastly, strain it through cheesecloth. Once the majority of the liquid has drained through, use your hands to squeeze out all of the extra liquid from the super-stinky-mixture. It's bug fightin' goodness, baby.
4. Combine the stinky liquid with the dish soap in the spray bottle. Gently shake to combine.
5. Use theorganic bug spray recipeALL OVER your susceptible crops – I used it all over my broccoli, kale, collards, radishes, lettuce, and cabbages. I'll reapply after each watering – about once a week.
It deters the bugs. And if it doesn't deter them, and they eat a bite of my broccoli, I hope it burns their stomach and they never come back for more.
It's been a few days since the first application so it may be a bit too early to tell, but it surely seems that the plants are finally being left alone. I didn't think I'd have to worry about pests this early on in the season but they seem to have my address – showing up for breakfast, lunch, and dinner uninvited.
Isn't it wonderful that such natural ingredients can provide such a powder punch to the ‘ol garden bugs?
I'm thankful.
My broccoli is thankful.
Happy gardening, my friends!
Organic Bug Spray Recipe
- 1 organic onion
- 1 entire head organic garlic
- 1 teaspoon organic cayenne pepper
- 1 quart water
- 1 tablespoon dish soap
- 1 spray bottle
- Mince or finely chop the onion and garlic. You don’t have to peel them if you don’t want to. I just threw them both in my food processor and practically liquified them. Chop. Mince. Liquify. Do what you want.
- Combine the minced onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, and water together in a large saucepan. Turn the heat on low and let it gently simmer, infuse if you will, for 45-60 minutes.
- Once the mixture has simmered, allow it to cool to room temperature. Lastly, strain it through cheesecloth. Once the majority of the liquid has drained through, use your hands to squeeze out all of the extra liquid from the super-stinky-mixture.
- Combine the stinky liquid with the dish soap in the spray bottle. Gently shake to combine.
- Use the organic bug spray recipe ALL OVER your susceptible crops – I used it all over my broccoli, kale, collards, radishes, lettuce, and cabbages. I’ll reapply after each watering – about once a week.
FAQs
Make an All-Purpose Insect Repellent
2 cups witch hazel, ½ tsp. Lemongrass or citronella oil, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. 1 cup isopropyl alcohol, 1 cup water, ½ tsp. catnip oil.
What is the most effective natural bug repellent? ›
1. Lemon eucalyptus oil. Used since the 1940s, lemon eucalyptus oil is one of the more well-known natural repellents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved eucalyptus oil as an effective ingredient in mosquito repellent.
What is the best organic insect repellent? ›
10 natural insect repellents to try
- Castor oil.
- Cinnamon.
- Citronella.
- Cloves.
- Garlic.
- Peppermint.
- Rosemary.
- Sesame oil.
In fact, several products that attract fruit flies employ a vinegar attractant and a trap to help capture and control fruit flies. A container containing vinegar and dish soap can function as a trap since the vinegar lures flies to enter the trap and the dish soap will cause the flies to sink inside the trap and die.
How do you make a simple organic insecticide spray? ›
To make a basic oil spray insecticide, mix one cup of vegetable oil with one tablespoon of soap (cover and shake thoroughly), and then when ready to apply, add two teaspoons of the oil spray, mix with one quart of water, shake thoroughly, and spray directly on the surfaces of the plants which are being affected by the ...
What is the best DIY pesticide? ›
Homemade Insecticidal soaps
- Mix 1 cup vegetable oil with 1 tablespoon liquid soap (such as castile soap)
- To apply, mix 2 teaspoons of oil and soap mix with 1 quart of water. Shake, and spray directly on affected plants.
- Avoid spraying during heat of the day.
- Works on aphids, mites, thrips, etc.
Bugs hate the smells associated with repellency, such as lavender, citronella, vinegar, peppermint, and geranium. These oils are considered a natural way of driving away bugs from your home without harming you, your family, and other animals.
Does cinnamon repel insects? ›
The spice contains eugenol, an aromatic compound commonly found in traditional insect repellants. Bugs also don't like cinnamon's powdery texture, and cinnamon has chemicals that have been shown to kill mosquito eggs and repel adult mosquitos, making it a triple-whammy to keep bugs out of the sandbox.
Is apple cider vinegar a good bug repellent? ›
Apple cider vinegar repels ants, spiders, and mosquitos like white vinegar. It still requires dilution, but it's usable around sensitive plants due to its lower acetic acid content. You can also create a trap to kill fruit flies by mixing it with soap in a large bowl.
How to make homemade bug spray for humans? ›
Mix 1 part oil of lemon eucalyptus or lavender essential oil with 10 parts witch hazel in the bottle. (For each drop of oil, use 10 drops of witch hazel.) Shake gently to mix. Spray to apply.
Row covers are used against a variety of insects, including cucumber beetles and flea beetles. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is used against many dif- ferent species of caterpillars. Diatomaceous earth is used against various soft-bodied insects. Soap sprays are used against aphids, thrips, and spider mites.
How do you make homemade pest repellent? ›
One of the easiest homemade bug sprays, simply mix one cup of white vinegar, at Walmart, with three cups of water. You can also add half a teaspoon of dishwashing soap to help the solution adhere. Shake thoroughly and apply to the affected areas.
How do you make homemade dawn bug spray? ›
2.5 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing soap (preferably Dawn or Lemon Joy) and not automatic dishwasher soap Mix with 2.5 tablespoons of vegetable oil per gallon of warm water. Make only what is needed for one day's treatment. An insecticidal soap like this is generally not harmful to plants, animals or humans.
What bugs are attracted to vinegar? ›
You can also make traps for fruit flies and gnats using apple cider vinegar mixed with a few drops of dish soap. The insects will be drawn to the smell of the vinegar, but once they touch it, the soap will make it impossible for them to escape.
What bugs are repelled by vinegar? ›
Vinegar is one of the best ingredients to make a pest control spray. Vinegar is one of the best ingredients to make a pest control spray. It is effective in repelling ants, mosquitoes, fruit flies, and many others. Creating a mix is quite simple and is considered safe for humans and pets.
What homemade spray kills bugs? ›
One of the easiest homemade bug sprays, simply mix one cup of white vinegar, at Walmart, with three cups of water. You can also add half a teaspoon of dishwashing soap to help the solution adhere. Shake thoroughly and apply to the affected areas.
What natural product kills bugs? ›
Diatomaceous Earth for Most Insects
You're probably saying, “Diatomaceous what?” Well, if you don't know, Diatomaceous earth is a rock powder that is made up of prehistoric algae and kills pretty much all types of household pests. Think fleas, ticks, co*ckroaches and more!
What herbs are natural bug spray? ›
DIY Bug Spray
Herbs like rosemary, thyme, mint, lavender, catnip and citronella have bug repelling properties. Try making your own bug repellent spray from the herbs growing in your garden. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, mint, lavender, catnip and citronella have bug repelling properties.
How do you make bug spray with vinegar and dawn? ›
- Mix the Ingredients:In a bowl, combine 1 cup of water with 1 cup of white vinegar.
- Add Dish Soap:Add 1 tablespoon of dish soap to the water-vinegar mixture. ...
- Stir Gently:Gently stir the mixture to combine the ingredients. ...
- Transfer to a Spray Bottle:Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
