How to make organic pesticides for plants?

It is very annoying for a gardener to see pests sucking their plants. A plant lover hates watching the flowers, leaves and the plant being suck by pests even after taking utmost care of them every day. Some of organic, natural and inexpensive methods for making pesticides are given below:

1. Neem Spray - In a spray bottle, add some neem oil, little quantity of liquid soap and some warm water and stir slowly and use immediately. It is said to be effective for about 22 days and its bitter taste and strong odour keeps the bugs away.

2. Onion and Garlic Spray - Take about a bulb of garlic and one medium-sized onion and grind it together. Now take 1 litre of water and mix the grinder ingredient and keep it for some time. After some time, add a teaspoon of pepper and a little liquid soap and mix all together well. Your organic pesticide is ready. Just spray it on the plant to keep pest away.

3. Tobacco Spray - In a gallon(3.75 Litre) of water add 1 cup of dried, crushed tobacco leaves and keep it soaked for about 2-3 hours. The more you soak, the stronger it gets. To the content add one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid soap and a pinch of pepper powder and mix well. Now strain it and fill in the spray bottle.

4. Salt Spray - In a gallon(3.75 Litre) of water, mix 2 tablespoons of salt and mix well. Now pour it in a spray bottle and use it.

5. Orange Peel Spray - In a liter of water put two cups of orange peels or orange oil and boil it. Once it boils, strain it and let it cool. Now to it add few drops of neem oil and little liquid soap and mix all together well. Now pour it in a spray bottle and your orange peel spray is ready to use.

Some of the points to note before using pesticides on the plant:
- Do not use a dishwashing liquid soap that contains bleach for your preparation.
- Use the pesticide on a small portion of the plant before spraying it all over to test it for any sensitivity.
- Do spray on the underside of leaves as many pests and insects hide underneath the leaves.
- For better results, spray in late afternoon or evening or when there is no wind. It will help to target the plant properly.
- The organic or natural pesticides work slowly on plants and for better results, be patient and use them regularly.

The natural homemade pesticides are as follows -

1. Tomato leaf
Tomato plants are a part of the nightshade family. They contain alkaloids like "tomatine," which can control aphids and other insects. It can be used as a natural pesticide. In order to make tomato leaf spray pesticide, you need to cut two cups of fresh tomato leaves into one-quarter of the water and leave it overnight. It is advised to take leaves from the bottom part of the plant. Now strain out the plant material and spray the liquid on the plant foliage.

2. Garlic
Garlic spray can be used to the knockdown insect infestations in the garden. Its pungent aroma is delectable to some and repellent to others. This strong scent helps in making garlic a natural pesticide. In order to make a garlic spray, take two whole garlic (not only two cloves). Now, puree them in a blender with a small amount of water. Leave it overnight. Then strain it into a quart jar, adding a half cup of vegetable oil, one teaspoon of mild liquid soap and sufficient water to fill the jar. Use one cup of mixture with 1 quart of water and then spray on insect-infested plants.

3. Neem oil
Neem oil is a very powerful natural pesticide. The oil extracted from the seeds of the neem tree can knock down different insects in their different life stages. Neem oil is biodegradable and even non-toxic. You can easily buy a neem oil bottle from the market and follow the instructions written on it on how to use it. You can also use one teaspoon of mild liquid soap mixed in 1 quart of water with 2 teaspoons of neem oil to spray on the affected plant part. Neem oil can be sprayed on plants to prevent the growth of insects even before they infest the plant.

4. Vegetable oil
Vegetable oil spray can have a good impact on trouble-causing insects like aphids, mites, thrips etc. In order to make a vegetable oil spray insecticide, you need to mix one cup of vegetable oil with one tablespoon of soap. Cover the container and shake it thoroughly. When you are going to use the spray, add two teaspoons of oil spray and mix it with 1 quart of water. Shake it thoroughly and spray on those parts and surfaces of plants that are affected by the pests. The vegetable oil coats the body of the insects blocks the pores through which they breathe and eventually suffocate them.

5. Soap
Soap spray can also be used to knock down insects like whiteflies, mites, aphids, beetles and other insects. In order to make a soap spray insecticide, you need to mix one and a half teaspoons of mild liquid soap with one quart of water and spray it directly on the affected parts of the affected plant. It is advised to apply it during evenings on plants instead of applying it in afternoons.

6. Chile Pepper
Chile pepper is also very effective in killing insects. It is a homemade natural pests repellent. It can be made either from fresh hot peppers or chile pepper powder. In order to make a chile spray from pepper powder, you need to blend a half cup of pepper with one cup of water. Then you need to add one quart of water and boil it. Let it cool down. After this, strain out the chile material and add several drops of liquid soap in it. You can now spray it on affected plants. It is advised to wear gloves while applying it because this spray is very potent on humans as well.

7. Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth has many uses. One of them is that it acts as a natural insecticide. It is made from sedimentary rock created by fossilized algae. It doesn't poison the insects, it absorbs the lipids from insects' exoskeleton and then dehydrates them to death. Diatomaceous earth is available in garden stores. It is usually not available in small packages. In order to apply it, you only need to dust the ground around your plants or sprinkle on them. Because of its dried nature, it needs to be reapplied after every rain.

8. All-in-one spray
As the name suggests, it is made by a combination of different kitchen materials. In order to make it, you need to blend one whole garlic and one small onion. Now you need to add one teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder. After doing so, leave the mixture for one hour. After that, strain the mixture and add one tablespoon of mild liquid soap. Mix it well. Now spray it on both the upper and lower sides of leaves. You can store this spray in a refrigerator for up to a week.

9. Baby Shampoo
Baby shampoo can be used to control common garden pests both indoor and outdoor including aphids, whiteflies, scale, thrips and spider mites. It is gentle and contains unnecessary chemicals. In order to make baby shampoo pesticide spray, you need to mix two tablespoons of baby shampoo with one gallon of water. Spray the mixture on the plants and let it rest there for hours before gently rinsing it off with a water hose. It is advised to not use this spray in the sun, or on plants with hairy leaves or wax-like coating.

10. Salt
Salt spray can also be used as a pesticide. It does not only knock down pests but also helps in increasing nutrition absorption by the plants like magnesium. It also helps plants take important nutrients like phosphorus and sulphur. It is very easy to make. You only need to add some salt in the water and spray it on the plants, on leaves, or at the base of plants. You need to reapply it every week for better results.

11. Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil also acts as a natural pesticide. Its strong smell deters insects and bugs. You will see the result with your own eyes after you apply it on the affected plant foliage. You can buy it from the market.

12. Chrysanthemum flower
These flowers contain a very powerful chemical compound known as "pyrethrum". Pyrethrum damages the nervous system of insects and pests. In order to make chrysanthemum flower spray, you need to boil some dried flowers in a vessel for about 20 minutes. Let it cool down. Then, strain the flower material. Now you can put it in a spray bottle and spray it on the affected plant. You can store the solution for up to 2 months. Adding neem oil in it can make it even more effective.

Instead of resorting to expensive products for Pesticides, we prefer to use pesticides made indeginiously to an expensive items available in the market. We may use some of the items available in our kitchen to make effective and natural pesticides. They would prove to be inexpensive, all natural, favourite and organic method for making pesticides in our garden. Some of the pesticides available in our kitchen are as follows -
1) Neem Leaf - Neem has been used for long for its antibacterial, antifungal, anti viral properties and culinary properties. It is used as a deterrent to pests. It has the strong odour to keep the bugs and pests away from the plants but at the same time, it is nontoxic to humans, animals and birds. We need to use Neem - oil sparingly along with a dash of liquid shop and warm water. The mixture has to be stirred uniformly before it is sprayed keeping the same in a bottle.
2) Eucalyptus- oil - The strong pungent of this oil deters insects and bugs. What is needed to spray some oils on the base of the plants regularly in order to see the visible effect of this oil.
3) Peppermint- oil - This oil is very effective in the arresting the the menace of Pests and Bugs. This oil in a little quantity should be added in the warm water and the mixture taken in a bottle should be sprayed on a regular basis in order to expel pests and bugs.
4) Salt - spray - in order to make this mixture, one has to use two tablespoon of common salt being used in the kitchen and mix the same in around three litres of water and by thoroughly stirring the same, pour in a bottle and spray the same on the plants on both leaves and the base. Regular usage of this concoction would eliminate the pests and bugs menace.
5) Onion and Garlic Spray - Take one glove of Garlic and one medium sized Onion. Add some water in them . Let it stay for a while and add one tea spoon of cayenne pepper and a dash of liquid soap in already prepared mixture. Crush it thoroughly and after filtering the same, transfer the same in a spray - bottle and use it as a pesticide. Regular use for a couple of days would eliminate the pesticide.
6) Chrysanthemum flowers Tea contains a strong chemical compound known as Pyrethrum. This chemical has the potential to damage the nervous system of the insects and pests.This solution can be stored up for two months without the detoriation of its property. To make it more effective, add some some amount of Neem - oil. Use the same for spray.

Organic pesticides are pesticides derived from natural ingredients. These will be obtained from botanical and mineral sources. They are safer than synthetic pesticides. These will protect the plants and not harmful to living beings. But synthetic pesticides will have some negative and side effects on human beings. These synthetic pesticides will affect the birds and animals also. That is why it is always better to use natural organic pesticides.

The following are the types of natural pesticides.

1. Biochemical: They will decrease the mating behaviour of insects and thus see that the insects will not propagate beyond control.

2. Microbial: These pesticides will bring disease to insects and may also make a toxin. They will also minimise the reproduction capacity of insects.

3. Botanical: These are derived from plants and effectively control flying insects

4. Mineral: These are the materials obtained from minerals from the earth. Sulfur, limestone and other minerals can be classified as Mineral-based pesticides.

Homemade pesticides.

The best way of controlling the problems of plants to grow different types of plants which will support the other plant in combating with these insects. Growing a neem plant of bonsai type in the rooftop garden will help to control the ill effects on other plants.

The following are some good organic pesticides.

1. Garlic is one good naturally occurring pesticides. They will fight beetles. Feverfew and tansy are also good insect repellents.

2. ladybugs and wasps are good to control the increase of population of unwanted insects. It is better if we can allow them to grow.

3. Vegetable oils are good pesticides. But the concentration is very important. They should be used after mixing with enough quantity of water and organic dish soap. This is good for small sucking insects.

4. Sticky papers can be used as traps to control insects going on to the plants.

The following recipes can be made and tried.

1. one garlic piece and a tablespoon dish soap without any bleaching property are to be mixed in two tablespoons of vegetable oil and then added two cups water. Keep the mix overnight and then filter. Fill it in a spray bottle and spray.

2. One tablespoon vegetable oil is mixed with two tablespoons baking soda and one teaspoon of dish soap is added Then two quart of water is added Combine ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. Use this organic bug spray for plants on your affected plants.

The homemade pesticides also can damage the plants if not made properly or you maybe not using the correct variety. So it should be tested on a trial base and then only should always be used for the plants.

Many people have home garden and some are even having small set up in the flats where they are managing it in the balconies. Once the plants and saplings are ready to flower then they will require two times watering and some external nutrition in terms of manures. At the same time it also happens that some insects or weeds or fungus can accumulate on the plants and harm it. We can use some home remedies for killing these weeds or insects but one single remedy can not be sufficient to kill all types of the harmful insects etc. So, sometimes composite solution might be required in this situation. Some of the home remedies are -

1. . Neem oil - Neem oil is a very good organic remedy for getting rid of the many varieties of the insects harming the vegetation. To use it a spray will be required to be made by adding 2 parts of Neem oil to 1 part mild liquid soap and 20-25 parts of water. Use this spray on plants to get the plants cured of insect infestation.

2. Diatomaceous earth - This is a very good material for poisoning the insects and putting it in the flower pot will help immensely. This will be available in local gardening shop.

3. Garlic - It is more of a repellent than the insecticide but it works in many cases and insects leave the plant. Many are killed with its pungent smell. To make the garlic spray, 2 numbers of whole garlics are to be taken and to be peeled out and now we have to make a paste of it by grinding and add tomatoes and vegetable oil. Dilute it with water and use as spray.

4. Tomato leaves - Take 3 cups of tomato leaves and mix with 3 cups of water. Keep this overnight and then rinse and make a paste. Filter it and use the liquid for killing the insects and infested parts of the plant..

5. Soap spray - It is also a common home remedy. We have to mix 1 tablespoon of mild soap in 2 cups of water and mix well and use this spray directly on the plants to kill a variety of insects.

A pesticide is a substance that kills organisms that we consider to be pests such as weeds, damaging insectsetc. Natural pesticides are pesticides that are made by plants or other organisms naturally.
Commonly occurring organic pesticides are household detergents, lime sulfur, pyrethrin, sabadilla, ryania, garlic, onions, tomato leaves, tobacco water, oil and sulfur sprays, talcum powder, soap etc..

There are four types of natural pesticides:
Biochemical – They will decrease the mating behaviour of insects and control insect populations.
Microbial –These pesticides minimizes the reproduction capacity of insects either by introducing some diseases or producing a toxin.
Botanical – They come from plants like Nicotine, Neem, Rotenone, Sabadilla and Pyrethrins .
Mineral – These are the materials obtained from minerals from the earth. e.g. sulfur and lime-sulfur.

Plant origin pesticides: These can be obtained from plants. In fact, plant parts are commonly used for elimination of insects or pests in households. A large variety of plant based insecticides or insect repellents can be easily made at home. Some of them are listed below:

1. Neem: Neem is having antibacterial, antifungal and anti viral properties and used in prevention of insects. Due to its srong odour it keeps the bugs and pests away from the plants. The best part is that it is nontoxic to humans being and other animals. For use as insecticides we can use either neem leaves or neem oil. Take to 2 teaspoons of neem oil and 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap and mix in 1 quart of water. Mix it well then fill it in a spray bottle and spray to the affected part of the plant. It is very effective and can kill various stages of insects. Besides, planting some neem trees in garden will also be useful. As smell from neem trees can keep insects away.

2. Garlic: It is one of the good naturally occurring insect repellent due to its specific pungent smell. It works on a no. of insects and insect larvae. Garlic spray can be prepared by taking garlic pieces and crushing them in mixer and then adding a tablespoon liquid soap, two tablespoons of vegetable oil and two cups of water. Keep this mixture for some time and then fill in a spray bottle and use this spray of affected areas.

3. Onion and Garlic Spray: Onion and garlic can also be used in combination. To prepare this insecticide take one Garlic bulb and one medium sized onion. After grinding them in a grinder add some water. After some time add one teaspoon of pepper and some amount of liquid soap and mix well. Fill this liquid in a spray bottle and use regularly on the insect affected areas.

4. Tomato: Tomato leaves also acts as good repellent as it contain a compound named tomatine alkaloid. This alkaloid is very effective in keeping insects away. To make a tomato leaf spray mix 2 cups of tomato leaves in 2 cups of water. Keep them overnight and then mix in a grinder. By using a sparya bottle this liquid can be used on plants to kill pests.

5. Eucalyptus oil : Due to its strong smell it also keeps insects and bugs away. Take some oil and spray on the plant part infested with pests. This oil is easily available in the market.

6. Orange Peel Spray : Orange peel can also used as insecticides. In order to make orange peel spray, two cups of orange peel should be taken and mixed and boiled in one liter of water. After boiling, strain it and let it cool. Add a teaspoon liquid soap in it. You can also add some neem oil in it. Use this spay regularly of plants to keep away bugs and other insects..

7. Chrysanthemum flowers: These flowers contain a chemical compound commonly known as Pyrethrum. Various mosquito repellents made from this compound are available in market like mortein, all out etc. But for elimination of insects from plants a liquid mixture can be prepared by boiling some dried flowers in water. After cooling down and straining, this mixture can be sprayed on to affected plant part. This chemical has the potential to damage the nervous system of the insects and pests.

8. Peppermint oil : This oil can be mixed in water and this spray is also helpful in prevention of insects and bugs.

9. Pepper: Pepper powder is also very effective to repel insects. It can be prepared by adding pepper powder in one cup of water and get it boiled. After cooling down add some liquid soap in it. Now, it can be sprayed on affected plant parts.

10. Oil spray: Vegetable oils can be used for this purpose. They are also good insecticides as they create a coating over insect body and block their breathing system. It can be prepared by adding one tablespoon vegetable oil with two tablespoons baking soda, one teaspoon of liquid soap and two quart of water . Mix them thoroughly and fill into a spray bottle. Use this spray on affected plants.

11. Tobacco water Spray: Tobacco leaves can be taken in around 3 litre of water and soak it for some time. Now add one teaspoon of liquid soap and little pepper powder and mix well. Now strain it and fill in the spray bottle.

12. Diatomaceous earth: It is also a natural insecticide. It is also helpful as it attacks on the exoskeleton of insects and then dehydrates them. You can get it from any local gardening shop.

Some other materials that are easily available in home can be used as insecticide. Some of these are listed below:
a. Baby powder: It can be used to deter ants, other insects and larger animals like bunnies and raccoons also. Just sprinkling of some baby powder on and around plants can help get rid of ants, aphids, plant lice, beetle and other insects.

b. Baby Shampoo: Baby shampoo can also be used to control insects. It can be prepared mixing two tablespoons of baby shampoo with one gallon of water. This mixture can be sprayed directly on plant to avoid bugs and aphids.

c. Soap spray: Soap spray also helpful to kill a variety of insects. For this, mix 1 tablespoon of mild soap in 2 cups of water and mix well and use directly to plants.

d. Salt spray – It also acts as insecticides and in order to make this spray, take two tablespoon of common salt and mix it in three liters of water and stir thoroughly. Then pour in a bottle and spray regularly on the plants.

e. Vinegar: White vinegar can also be used to kill weeds, grass and ants.