Recipes for Insect Pest Management

Safe, Non-Toxic, and Effective Home-made Soaps and Sprays

For Aphid Control

Hot Spray No.  1                  

Add to 1 gallon of water: In a blender, combine and chop 1 whole garlic, crushed 1 and 3 Tbs hot sauce (like Tabasco). Let soak for 24 hours. Strain out garlic and spray on outdoor plants.

Hot Spray No.  2 

In a blender, combine and chop 1 clove garlic, 1 small onion, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 quart water, Let steep, then add 1 tablespoon liquid non-detergent dish soap like Dr. Bronners.

For Repelling Sucking Insects

Home-made Soap Recipe No.  1

1 Tbs dish soap e.g. liquid such as Ivory or preferably Dr. Bronners, 1 cup oil (peanut, sunflower, corn), mix with 1 cup water . Take 1 to 1 ½   tsp of this mix & add to 1 c water.  Mix and spray on affected plants.  Rinse after 15-30 minutes.  

 Home-made Soap Recipe No.  2  

Mix 2 Tbs. liquid dish soap to 1 gal of water. Apply as spray. Rinse plants thoroughly after 15-30 minutes. 

Alert: Home-made insect soap is actually a detergent.  New research finds that, in the long-term, it slows maturity of vegetable plants, regardless of concentration, frequency or time of application.  Home-made insect soap reduces early maturity in tomatoes by 50% or more.   Total yield is not reduced; early maturity is.  Use a very weak solution of   2 tsp per gal. rather than 2 Tbsp.  Commercial insecticidal sprays like Safer, Concern, and M-Pede were not tested, but they are not made from detergents.  (From HortScience vol.30, no.7, 1995)