We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Make a Homemade Pesticide?

By C. Daw
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,694
Share

There are many different ways to make an organic homemade pesticide, many of which use common household items that most people will already have on hand. Some of them work for every kind of bug, while others work better in specific applications. In many cases, these homemade pesticides will not harm the environment, or the occupants in the area, including pets and children. They also seem to work better than most shelf products that can be found at the majority of home improvement stores, or local garden centers.

The first organic homemade pesticide that can be made to kill virtually every type of bug is the hot pepper spray. In order to make this, mix ½ cup (4 ounces) of hot peppers, 2 cups (16 ounces) of dish soap, ½ a cup (4 ounces) of horseradish and fresh spearmint, and ½ (4 ounces) a cup of green onion tops. Mix this together until a half of a gallon (2 quarts) is prepared, then mix in another half gallon (2 quarts) of water. Store this mixture in a cool area for two days and then spray it on any affected areas. This type of organic pesticide is safe for any type of plant, and is completely harmless to everything except the bugs.

Tobacco can make a good homemade pesticide. This mixture requires 1 cup (8 ounces) of tobacco and 1 gallon (4 quarts) of water mixed together in a bottle or bucket. This pesticide will work on many different bugs but is especially successful with caterpillars and aphids. It is safe for all plants except those in the solanaceous family, which includes peppers and tomatoes.

A common bug that people have problems with are slugs, which can easily be eliminated by using a basic soap pesticide. In order to make this homemade pesticide, save some old, soapy dishwater and pour it over the areas where the slugs are. This is safe for the plants, and the soil, but deadly to the bugs. If a slightly stronger dose is needed, simply add some more dish soap to the water before using it.

A spider mite infestation can be treated by using a salt solution. Mix up a batch of strong saltwater and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray all the areas where the mites are with the solution. This mixture also works well for cabbageworms, but it was designed by farmers to mainly kill spider mites.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-make-a-homemade-pesticide.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.