Make Homemade Insect Repellent For Gardens
Edited by Maureen D., Lynn, Anonymous, Graciela Franchesca Rosario and 2 others
It has been proven that plants that are stressed are more likely to be damaged by insects and pests. Lack of enough water, sunlight and fertilizer can make the plants and flowers be weaker. Too much water or sunlight can also be harmful. Making sure that the soil in your garden is fertile and adding organic matter will be very beneficial. Healthy plants and flowers depend on the soil's good structure, and water holding capacity.
- 1 Here are Other Ways to Keep your Garden Healthy and Insect Free
- 2 Tried and Tested Homemade Insect Repellents
- 3 Tips Tricks & Warnings
- 4 Cause of Attracting Insects in a Plant
- 5 Cause of Diseases of Plants
- 6 Questions and Answers
Here are Other Ways to Keep your Garden Healthy and Insect Free
- 1Maintaining good sanitation will greatly help in keeping the insects and other pests away.Pulling out weeds regularly can help, as the insects, snails and slugs inhabit them. Keep the whole garden clean of litter, rocks and other substances that could be breeding grounds for pests.
- 1Carefully examine transplants before purchasing, as they could bring insect-infested plants.
- 1Keep your plants hydrated and receiving the proper amount of sunlight.The best time to water plants is early in the morning as the weather is a bit cooler and does not make the water evaporate.
- 1However, despite these precautions, pests and insects are still naturally attracted to gardens.And eliminating them could be a real challenge, expensive at times and very time consuming. But there are homemade insect repellents that can be used to get rid of these garden pests. Aside from the fact that they are inexpensive, the ingredients can be found at every leading supermarkets and groceries. And they are less harmful to you, especially if you are using them in a vegetable garden where you are growing food for your family.
- 1A variety of plants still wither even the soil is moist.These plants include the Ligularia and Hosta. Withering is caused by dryness or lack of fluid. The plants Ligularia have big leaves so that means more fluid must be given to them to sustain all the parts of the big leave’s capacity. Like humans plants get dehydrated and the remedy is to water them. Water them in the early morning or afternoon. Since if you water them at noon the water dries out and cannot provide the plant enough water. You may place the plant in the shade to prevent getting heat from direct sunlight. Even the slope position of the plant have something to do with their withering. It is better to slope a plant facing northern because it is cooler rather than southern slope. But other plants only open their pores at night like Cactus, sedum, and hens. So they have special protection against withering. The sun cannot penetrate well to the plant since the pores are close at daytime. Bergenia cordifolia have leaves that are coated with waxy layer so they stay moist.2When you buy a plant you must check the physical aspects of the plant.You check its roots and stems . It must not be rotten. And see if there is an insect. Even the plant is in touch with the soil that means insects are necessary for the nourishing of the plant but in fact insect should be avoided. You tap the bottom of the plant in a surface to loose the soil and be able to check its root. A dark root is not a healthy root. The roots must have spacing, most often it is coloured white, and it is firm. And the leaves must not be chopped.3You must put the plant is a location where there is enough sunlight, but if it is withered place them in a shade.The location must be in moderate exposure to frost and wind. The place must also be damp enough. If the plant it not fit for a hot zone place it at a cool place or shade. or else it will grow weak and get infection easily.4Nourish the plant if it is already planted in the ground.The plant cannot thrive on its own, it needs watering and observation if insects have pested on it. If there is pests in the plant, you water the plant using a hose to force the pest to be removed. Then apply pesticide.5You must know the temperature need of the plant.Usually non-fruiting plants need cool soil, so put mulches on the soil like wood or bark. These mulches will bounce back the heat that is hit on it. While other plants like to be at warm soil. These plants are grape vines, pumpkins, etc. So when the place is cool you may want to apply infrared technology on the soil.6Use decomposed soil.But make sure that the soil is not infected. Using a decompose soil will destroy the pathogenic microorganisms in the plant. Pathogenic means harmful microorganisms. Because there are microorganisms which are also beneficial. Decompose waste do not decompose at the same rate. Avoid yard waste to avoid infected soil.7Trim the plants.Cut it at the site where it is rotten. You need to trim it on late winter rather than waiting for spring. When you cut the damaged part of the plant, you will prevent the spreading of the disease. Use sharp tool to cut the portion.8If you think placing fallen leaves into the surrounding of the root will help when the leaves decompose, this is not good.The leaves will become a thriving place of diseases. You save the fallen leaves for winter time, remove it before the time the plant grow on spring.9If you don’t want the moss in your garden, do not opt for chemical solutions instead do natural methods like putting it in shade and acidic soil.10There are plants which are resistant against disease.You can identify it my reading the label. Like tomato, it is VFN resistant, that means it is resistant to nematodes and fungi such as Fusarium and verticillium. You may ask the gardeners or greenhouse employees to help you decide on the resistant kinds of plants.11Allow spacing to the plants.The plant must establish a good humidity. This is done by putting space in between plants. This is letting a good airflow. Crowded plants induce powdery mildew.12Putting a lot of fertilizer to a plant will make it unable to absorb water and nutrients effectively.If this happens there will be a formation of black spot on the leaves. Putting too much fertilizer will burn and stress the plant. It becomes not strong against drought and to different temperature. There is a test to check the nutrient level of plants. You can let the local agriculture agency to make a soil test.13Indoor herbs needs sunlight so expose them to sunshine for a minimum of 5 hours.You may place the herbs under the fluorescent for about 14 hours a day. The light and plant must be 6 – 8 away.14There are herbs that are naturally equipped to repel insects.So you most probably want to include them on your garden. These are natural instead of the chemically produced pesticides. The following are the example of insect repellant herbs:
15To supply humidity to a herb, you put the plant’s pot on pebbles, put water on the tray of pebbles.The pots must not touch the water. Example of herbs that can be placed indoor are sage, basil, parsley, etc.16Water the plants the right way.Do not water the plant too much because it will cause root suffocation and let the fungi to rotten the roots. So it does not mean that more water that the plant takes it becomes healthier, like human it should be balanced. Water the leaves at minimal amount. Try to water the leaves at the time when it dries quickly but making the root absorb the water adequately before it is evaporated by heat. You must limit the moisture in the plant’s foliage as this allows the pathogens to grow. Pathogens needs air and soil to let them grow and populate. Plants contain 90% water, so they can survive even without moisture.17Prevent the roots from becoming rotten, so you give the plant a good draining soil mixture.You may put sand on the plant without soil. This ratio must be 1:4. Fertilize your plants with fish fertilizers. Do this once a month.18Clay soil is a hard soil so you put TLC on it for it be used.Since soil must be loose. You may put organic compost to it. You may buy compost.19Remove the weeds.These are unnecessary. They compete with the plants for nutrients from water, light and soil. A good suppressor of weed is the mulch. You collect the grass to make a mulch. Mulches makes the soil healthy by making the soil cool.20There is difference in the soil nutrient between the fruit and flower’s soil and herb’s soil.Herb’s soil does need too much nutrient so do not include compost into the soil. Because compost provide the soil more nutrients. While flower and fruit’s soil needs more nutrients so it is recommended to put compost on its soil. Putting compost will make the soil fertile. And prevent erosion on the soil, you can do this by adding mulch to the soil.
- Tansy repels flies, mice, ants, cockroaches, etc. Tansy is placed near doorway and places where rodents may enter.
- Feverfew repel insect and can treat insect bites.
- Pyrethrum is used to make insect repellant spray.
- Mint is rubbed into pants to get rid of ticks.
- Lavender is put into a sachet and hanged in the cabinet. It repels fleas and flies.
- Make an essential oil out of the insect repellant herbs. But be cautious to not let the children and pregnant women reach it since it has some side effects.
Tried and Tested Homemade Insect Repellents
Garden basic spray
- 1Finely chopped 6 cloves of garlic2Finely chopped 1 piece of onion31 Tablespoon of dish soap (liquid form)41 tablespoon of cayenne pepper5A quart of warm water
Mix the first two ingredients first, then pour in the liquid dish soap and cayenne pepper, and add the water last. Mix all of the the ingredients well. Set aside overnight to let the ingredients blend well. Run into a sieve and pour in a bottle with a sprayer.
Garden basic spray with a twist of jalapeno peppers
- 11 bulb of garlic, peeled22 pieces of onion36 pieces of jalapeno peppers42 cups of warm water5A couple tablespoons of oil soap62 tablespoons vegetable oil
Put all of the ingredients in a blender for a few minutes, then add a gallon of hot water. Continue blending for another few minutes, then cover and let sit for up to five hours. Strain the mixture with a cheesecloth, pour the strained mixture in a plastic gallon with sprayer. At this point, you can add oil soap and vegetable oil. Shake the bottle lightly to blend the mixture well.
Flea and Beetle spray
- 12 cups finely chopped tomato leaves2A quart of tap water31 teaspoon of liquid dish soap
Put the first two ingredients in a pan and bring to a boil. Then turn the heat off and set it aside to cool down. Strain the boiled tomato leaves and add the liquid dish soap. Pour in a spray bottle. This mixture can be used to get rid of worms too!
Citrus fruits peels spray
- 11 cup of chopped grapefruit, orange, lemon or lime peels21/2 cup of boiling water31 tablespoon of baby shampoo
Blend the chopped peels, adding the boiling water gradually until liquefied. Cover, and set aside overnight at room temperature before using.
- 11 tablespoon vinegar21 tablespoon of gin (or vodka)31 tablespoon liquid dish soap41 quart of hot water
Pour all of the ingredients in a gallon bottle or jug and shake well to allow perfect blend.
Vinegar of the four thieves
- 11 bottle of apple cider vinegar (32 oz.)2A couple of tablespoons of each of the following dried herbs:Mint, thyme, sage, rosemary and lavender3A glass container with an airtight lid
- 1Place the first two ingredients in a huge glass jar.2Cover tightly with a lid and keep at room temperature.Shake well daily and keep it stored for up to 21 days.3Strain the mixture after three weeks, and pour in a bottle with sprayer.4Store the liquid solution in the refrigerator.
Soft bodied insects spray
- 11 tablespoon canola oil2A few drops of Ivory soap31 quart of tap water
Pour all of the ingredients in a bottle and shake well. This insect repellent is best sprayed underneath the leaves where soft bodied insects usually inhabit.
Bug - away spray
- 11 cup of liquid dish soap21 cup of basic garden spray (see recipe above)31 cup mouthwash
Mix all of the ingredients together. Pour in a sprayer bottle. This is best used every other week, or after raining. You can optionally add finely chopped asparagus in this recipe.
Tips Tricks & Warnings
- Keep the insect repellents out of children's reach.
- Label the bottles properly.
- Never spray near foods.
- Avoid inhaling the repellents.
- Wash hands right after using them.
Cause of Attracting Insects in a Plant
A plant can also get disease. Like humans they get their sickness from pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. Even the environmental issues can also affect the stance of the plant this includes the drought and humidity. This conditions induces the attack of diseases. The remedy is to prevent drought and keep the plant at the right humidity.
Cause of Diseases of Plants
The insects are the modes of transport of pathogenic microorganisms. When the pores of the plant is open the bacteri can enter into that pore and cause a dark spots on the plant. The leaves become chopped and cause rottening of the stems and roots. An example of disease of a plant is Aster yellows, this is a disease transferred by leafhoppers.
Questions and Answers
Recent edits by: Rebecca M., Graciela Franchesca Rosario, Anonymous
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