Five Homemade Bug Spray for Gardens That Works

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As with practically every household item, natural bug spray can be made inexpensively and naturally at home.

This recipe literally takes just seconds to mix up and can be varied based on what you have available. I’ve included several variations so you can try whichever one you have the ingredients for.

1.Make Bug Spray From Dried or Fresh Herbs

Ingredients:

  • Distilled water
  • Witch hazel or rubbing alcohol
  • Dried herbs: peppermint, spearmint, citronella, lemongrass, catnip, lavender, etc. I recommend using at least one herb from the mint family.

Directions:

  • Boil 1 cup of water and add 3-4 TBSP of dried herbs total in any combination from the above. I use 1 TBSP each of peppermint, spearmint, catnip and lavender, and also throw in a couple of dried cloves.
  • Mix well, cover and let cool (covering is important to keep the volatile oils in!)
  • Strain herbs out and mix water with 1 cup of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol. Store in a spray bottle in fridge.
  • Use as needed.

2.Vinegar of the Four Thieves Insect Repellent

Ingredients:

  • 1 32 ounce bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 TBSP each of dried Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme and Mint
  • At least quart size glass jar with airtight lid

Directions:

  • Put the vinegar and dried herbs into large glass jar.
  • Seal tightly and store on counter or place you will see it daily. Shake well each day for 2-3 weeks.
  • After 2-3 weeks, strain the herbs out and store in spray bottles or tincture bottles, preferably in fridge.
  • To use on skin, dilute to half with water in a spray bottle and use as needed.
  • Use whenever you need serious bug control!

Other Simple Insect Repelling Ideas:

3.The “Hot” Dusts

Black pepper, chili pepper, dill, ginger, paprika, and red pepper all contain capsaicin, a compound shown to repel insects.

If you grow and dry your own red peppers, chili peppers, or dill, you can make lots of dust at low cost. Use a mortar and pestle to grind the peppers, or dill, including the seeds, to dust. If you don’t have, then buy some packaged pepper dusts from the shop.

4.Nicotine

Nicotine is effective against ground and soil pests, and also on many leaf-chewing insects.

You can brew your own batch of nicotine tea by soaking tobacco leaves or cigarette butts in water to make a spray. Soak 1 cup of dried, crushed tobacco leaves, or an equivalent amount of cigarette butts, in one gallon of warm water with 1/4 teaspoon pure soap added. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth after it has soaked for 1/2 hour. The solution will keep for several weeks if stored in a tightly closed container.

For soil pests, pour the spray mixture onto the soil in the area of the stem base and root zone. For leaf pests, spray leaves thoroughly, especially the undersides.

5.Simple Garlic Spray

This is a very simple recipe, all you have to prepare is 1 head of garlic, 1 cup of vegetable oil and some drops of dishwashing soap. Put the garlic through a garlic press, toss in container with oil.

Place in fridge for 3 days until you get a strong garlic smell. Once you have the smell strain out the oil and mix with 3 cups of water and the dishwashing soap. Use at the first sign of buggies.

Sources : comfycountrycreations.com, body-in-balance.org ,littlehouseliving.com

Liu Jiao
I have written articles on various physical and mental health related conditions, including diabetes/ heart disease/ autism/depression/Nutrition/fitness/diets/fad diets/herbs/alternative therapies/weight loss/obesity in children and adults/smoking risks/alcohol risks/fast foods/disease....

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