Anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors during mosquito-spreading season or who owns a garden knows the importance of controlling insects around the house. However, not everyone likes to use synthetic chemical insecticides. Fortunately, there are several steps you can follow to make your own natural insecticide at home. Most of these "recipe" insecticides require simple ingredients you can find at home so they are easy to make and effective at getting rid of insects such as fleas, beetles, and mites. The key is their use because in order to kill insects effectively, the insect must be exposed to the insecticide directly.
Ingredients
Soap Based Insecticide Spray
- 950 ml of water
- 20 ml liquid soap
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) neem or neem oil (optional)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) apple cider vinegar (optional)
Insecticide and Insect Repellent from Garlic
- 1 garlic bulb, peeled
- 950 ml water, divide into several parts
- 1 tablespoons 20 ml liquid soap
Insecticide from Chili
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) dried chilies (or 10 fresh chilies, such as cayenne, jalapeno, or habanero chiles)
- 4 liters of water
- A few drops of dish soap
Versatile Insecticide of Garlic, Onion, and Chili
- 1 garlic bulb
- 1 small onion
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) cayenne pepper powder (or regular chili powder)
- 950 ml of water
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) dish soap
Making Insecticide from Tomato Leaves
- 500 grams of chopped tomato leaves
- 950 ml of water
Step
Method 1 of 7: Recognizing Insects and Problems in the Garden
Step 1. Look for holes in the leaf
There are several types of bugs that are problematic in gardens, including caterpillars and beetles that bite and make holes in leaves. These types of insects can cause great damage to plants so you need to take steps to eradicate them.
In addition to using insecticides, you can also directly remove or eradicate caterpillars and beetles in the garden by hand. Grab the bugs from the plant with your fingers and drop them into a bucket of soapy water
Step 2. Check for discolored leaves
White, yellow, or brown coloration of the leaves can indicate disturbance or attack from insects such as mites or fleas in the garden. Both insects suck plant juices and cause discoloration of the leaves so that the plant dies.
- When getting rid of thrips and mites, spray the insecticide on the leaves, shoots, and soil around the plant.
- The thrip louse is a small winged insect with a slender body.
Step 3. Check for any disturbances or deformities in the leaves
Distortion of shape such as curled or weedy leaves can indicate the presence of leafhoppers, ringworms, and lice in the garden. These insects suck the sap of the plant, changing the shape of the leaves and causing them to fall.
Insects like this can be treated by spraying water on the plants. However, use insecticides for more serious disorders
Step 4. Notice the black, white, and yellow dots on the plant
Fungi and similar organisms can damage plants. Specifically, black mold, powdery mildew, and downy mildew can cause fine hairs or white dots on the leaves.
- This problem is not caused by insects so it cannot be treated with insecticides.
- The best way to deal with this problem is to prevent the development of mold by watering the plant from below to keep the leaves from getting wet. Remove leaves that are damaged or showing signs of fungal infection.
Method 2 of 7: Making Insecticide from Soap to Kill Insects
Step 1. Choose soft water or distilled water
The most effective type of water to use is soft water. If your tap water is soft, you can use it to make a soap-based insecticide. Otherwise, use distilled water with the minerals removed.
The minerals in the conscious water make the soap insoluble making the spray less effective
Step 2. Choose hand soap or dish soap
Soap has been widely used to control a variety of insects in the garden. The ideal type of soap to use is liquid soap, such as castile soap (eg Dr. Bronner products), liquid hand soap, or dish soap (eg Mama Lemon). Avoid powdered soaps, bar soaps, and detergents. Insects that can be controlled with liquid soap are:
- lice
- Japanese beetle (Japanese beetle)
- Spider mite (spider mite)
- White lice
- Boxelder Ladybug (Boxelder bug)
- Whitefly (whitefly)
- Flea jump
- Cockroaches or cockroaches
- Scale insects
Step 3. Mix the soap with water
Pour the water into a large bowl. Add the liquid soap and stir the mixture carefully to dissolve the soap in the water. Do not stir the mixture too quickly or vigorously to prevent foam from forming. All you have to do is dissolve the soap in water.
Step 4. Add additional ingredients if desired
There are several ingredients that can be added to a soap insecticide to increase its effectiveness in getting rid of various insects and problems in the garden. Two of the most popular ingredients are neem oil and vinegar.
- Neem oil is a plant-derived insecticide that is effective at controlling beetles, cabbage worms, beet armyworms, gnats, and thrips. This oil also keeps soap residue from sticking to leaves, insects, and their eggs.
- Apple cider vinegar is effective against powdery mildew, a fungal disease that affects many plants.
Step 5. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle
Insert the funnel into the mouth of the spray bottle. Pour the soap mixture into the bottle and remove the funnel. Replace the bottle cap. With a spray bottle, you can more easily apply the mixture directly to the insects on the plant.
To store any residual insecticide, transfer the mixture to an airtight container and keep the container at room temperature for up to (maximum) 1 year
Method 3 of 7: Making Insecticides and Insect Repellents from Garlic and Soap
Step 1. Make a puree of garlic with distilled water
Place all the peeled garlic cloves in a blender or food processor. Add 250 ml of hard water. Blend the mixture for 1-2 minutes until it becomes a soft paste.
- Garlic contains sulfur substances that can repel various insects. By adding garlic to a soap-based insecticide, you can kill the insects and keep them from returning to the garden.
- If you don't have a blender or food processor, mix the garlic and water in a glass jar and use a hand blender to puree it.
- If you don't have a food grinder, chop the garlic with an onion press or sharp knife.
Step 2. Add the remaining water
Pour 700 ml of water into the blender. Blend again for 1-2 minutes to soften the garlic and mix the sulfur substance from the garlic with the water.
Step 3. Combine the soap and garlic water in a glass jar
Pour the garlic water into a large glass jar. Add the soap and carefully stir the mixture. Make sure you're only dissolving the soap in water and not creating a lather. Put the lid back on the jar afterwards.
Some types of soap that are suitable for controlling insects are liquid hand soap, castile soap, and dish soap
Step 4. Let the mixture sit overnight
Place the jar with the mixture on the counter and let it rest for 12-14 hours. By letting it sit, garlic can release its insect repellent sulfur and mix it with water.
Step 5. Strain the mixture and put it in a bottle
Place the cheesecloth in a fine mesh strainer, and place the strainer in a large bowl. Pour the garlic mixture into a colander to allow the water to drain into the bowl below. After that, transfer the garlic water into the spray bottle and put the cap on the bottle.
Leftover mixture can be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator. Because it contains garlic, use this insecticide in a week
Method 4 of 7: Making Insecticide from Chili
Step 1. Put 4 liters of water in a saucepan
Make sure the pot is big enough to boil the water without spilling. You will need to simmer the mixture for quite some time.
Step 2. Add 3 tablespoons (15 grams) of dried chilies or 10 chopped fresh chilies
You can use cayenne, jalapeno, or habanero peppers (or regular red and cayenne peppers). Toss chilies with water.
Step 3. Boil the mixture for 15 minutes
Boiling speeds up the insecticide-making process because the heat helps remove the chili oil and mix it with the water. Watch the pot while boiling the dried chilies so the water doesn't overflow.
Make sure you wear gloves when handling chilies
Step 4. Turn off the heat and let the mixture sit for 24 hours
The water will mix with the oil and chili content so that it becomes an insecticide.
If you prefer, you don't need to boil the chilies and you can soak the chilies in water for 36-48 hours
Step 5. Strain the chilies from the water using a tofu filter cloth
Place a clean bowl under the cloth, then pour the mixture into the bowl through a sieve. Now there is only the chili mixture left in the bowl.
Step 6. Add a few drops of dish soap
The soap helps the insecticide to stick to the plant so it can work. You don't need to add a lot of soap; just a few drops.
Step 7. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle
A spray bottle makes it easy for you to apply insecticide to plants. Make sure you label the bottle so you can remember or know its contents.
Method 5 of 7: Making a Versatile Insecticide from Garlic, Onions, and Chilies
Step 1. Puree one garlic bulb until it becomes a paste
Peel the onion and cut it into small pieces. Use a mortar and pestle or spoon and bowl to grind the garlic into a paste.
Step 2. Soften the small onions until they become a paste
Peel the onion and cut it into small pieces. Put the pieces in a blender and puree.
If you don't have a blender, you can grind the onions manually using a vegetable cutter
Step 3. Combine the garlic and onions
Add the garlic paste to the blender and mix the two ingredients. Now you have a liquid or thick paste of both ingredients that have been mashed.
Step 4. Add 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of cayenne pepper powder (or regular chili powder)
Mix all ingredients until evenly distributed.
If you don't have a blender, you can still mix the ingredients in a large bowl
Step 5. Pour 950 ml of water into the mixture and let it sit
Leave the mixture for 1 hour. The juices of the garlic, onions, and chilies will seep into the water and produce an insecticide.
Step 6. Strain the mixture using a tofu filter cloth
Pour the mixture into a bowl through a cloth to filter out any solids. Now you have a bowl of the insecticide mixture.
Step 7. Add 1 tablespoon of dish soap to the mixture
Stir until it becomes insecticide. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, then spray it on the plants.
Step 8. Store the insecticide in the refrigerator for (maximum) 1 week
Close and label containers used to store insecticides. You will need to change the insecticide every week as the mixture will lose its strength.
Method 6 of 7: Making Insecticide from Tomato Leaves
Step 1. Pour 475 ml of water into a large bowl
The bowl should be large enough to hold about 950 ml of water. To protect the table, cover the bowl with a towel.
Step 2. Add 500 grams of tomato leaves to the water
It's a good idea to use tomato leaves that have been chopped and taken from the bottom of the plant. Toss tomatoes with water and let stand.
Tomatoes are members of the eggplant family that produce natural flea repellents
Step 3. Let the tomato juice soak in the water overnight
Cover the bowl with a towel to protect the mixture from dust, pests and dirt. The juice from the tomato leaves will mix with the water and become an insecticide.
Step 4. Strain the leaves from the mixture using a sieve
Place the bowl under the strainer, then pour the mixture into the bowl through the strainer. Now you have a bowl of a thick mixture of water and tomato leaves.
Step 5. Add 475 ml of additional water
Since the insecticide made is quite concentrated, you will need to add more water before using it. Stir the water to mix the ingredients evenly.
Step 6. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle
Make sure you label the bottle. Now the insecticide is ready to use.
Method 7 of 7: Using Homemade Soap Based Insecticides
Step 1. Spray the plant in the morning or evening
Soap-based insecticides need to be sprayed directly on insects for them to work and in order to be exposed to insects, you need to spray them on plants. If you spray in hot weather or in the middle of the day, the leaves of the plant may burn. The best times to use this insecticide are morning and evening.
Step 2. Do not spray insecticides on soap-sensitive plants
Some plants can be damaged or killed by soap, and you should not use soap-based insecticides on these varieties. Some types of plants to avoid are:
- Sweet peas
- Cherry
- Plum
- Purslane (Portulaca)
- Several varieties of tomatoes
Step 3. Test the insecticide on some leaves
To make sure the soap won't damage the plant, it's important that you test it on a small part of the plant before spraying it all over the plant. Select a few leaves that are damaged by insects and spray insecticide on the top and bottom to expose the insects to the poison. Leave it for 2 days and check for damage to the leaves.
- If the leaves are damaged by the insecticide, dilute the solution and retest the mixture.
- If the leaves appear healthy, spray the insecticide on the larger parts of the plant.
Step 4. Dissolve the soap concentration if necessary
Most soap-based insecticides use a 2 percent soap solution. For plants that react badly or are damaged when exposed to soap, try reducing the concentration of soap to 1 percent. To create a concentration from scratch, mix 950 ml of water with 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of liquid soap.
You can also add 950 ml of water to your prepared 2 percent soap solution
Step 5. Spray insecticide on insects
Look for insect-infested leaves and plants and spray the mixture on the tops and bottoms of the leaves. Insecticides must hit insects directly. Otherwise, the mix may not work. Also spray the plant stems and soil if necessary.
Let the spray sit on the leaves for a few hours
Step 6. Rinse the leaves with water
After a few hours, get a garden hose or spray bottle filled with fresh water and spray the insecticide-coated leaves. This rinse will remove any remaining soap solution and prevent damage to the plant.
Step 7. Repeat treatment as necessary for (maximum) one week
Since the insecticide must hit the insect directly, you may need to spray several times. Spray the plants daily for 4-7 days, or until all pests are dead.
