What is a good natural pesticide?

[ohnoyoudidnt]

Last edited Tue Jun 10, 2014, 09:32 PM - Edit history (1)

I found a few here: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/homemade-organic-pesticide-vegetables-45069.html

What is your favorite?

Tomato , peppers, and herbs .

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. I'd go with the garlic or pepper

since I grow those anyway. But I've also heard vinegar has its uses, iirc, and other people suggest planting certain flowers like marigolds. That's called 'companion planting', I guess.

[ohnoyoudidnt]

8. I did not know about companion planting.

I will look into it, thanks.

[TygrBright]

2. For what pest(s)?

Different things work on different types of pest. Also, just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's harmless to humans, animals, and the soil. That said, some general things used include:

Capsicum- crushed peppers or pepper oil
Diatomaceous earth
Soapy water
Vinegar

Also, as others have noted, certain "companion plants" protect, and discourage pests. Anything in the allium family, nicotiana, marigolds and others.

Lots of info on the Web, DuckDuckGo is your friend!

helpfully,
Bright

[ohnoyoudidnt]

10. Thank you.

[littlemissmartypants]

3. What they said.

What is the goal? Are we distracting ants or deer? Spraying vinegar kills some weeds. Red pepper can deter cats. Experiment.

Love, Peace and Shelter.

[ohnoyoudidnt]

7. I doubt any animals will be an issue.

I was thinking about preventing whatever insects would go after my plants.

[PADemD]

4. Carrots Love Tomatoes

Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening by Louise Riotte

http://www.amazon.com/Carrots-Love-Tomatoes-Companion-Successful/dp/1580170277/ref=la_B001H6IT68_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402494505&sr=1-1

also by Louise Riotte

Roses Love Garlic: Companion Planting and Other Secrets of Flowers

http://www.amazon.com/Roses-Love-Garlic-Companion-Planting/dp/1580170285/ref=la_B001H6IT68_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402494505&sr=1-2

[ohnoyoudidnt]

9. Thanks for the links.

I have a lot to learn.

[PADemD]

11. You're welcome

One of the best tips in Riotte's book is how to keep cats out of your garden. They hate the smell of Rue. Rue can even be dried and hung on furniture in a sachet to keep your cats from scratching the furniture.

[malokvale77]

5. You didn't say what the pests were

My favorites are diatomaeous earth and wood ash for crawling insects. Pyrethium or soap and water for leaf eaters.

Hand pick and crush tomato horn worms. For red spider mites, just a cold spray of water will make them move along

[ohnoyoudidnt]

6. I don't know what the pests could be.

I am just starting a garden and want to be prepared and know what I should use for preventative measure. I am in Florida and they are mostly tomato plants. I already have diatomaeous earth that I use for my pool. So I guess I could just use that and keep any eye out for any problems and go from there.

[malokvale77]

12. Pool diatomaceous earth won't work

The sharp cutting spikes have been polished off. Those spikes cut into the exoskeleton and dehydrate the pest.