Garden pest sprays do not have to be toxic to everything. Most of the sprays that are available are just that. They are broad spectrum pesticides, which means they kill everything. Good bugs and bad. Organic land care has a more direct approach when it comes to controlling pests in the garden.
Remember: EVERYTHING IS THERE FOR A REASON!
Some insects are on the planet, in part, to eat weaker plants so they are not consumed by animals further up the food chain. It is only when the populations get out of balance that we need to step in and adjust things. When that happens, some of the following concoctions will help keep specific pests (not all of them insects) from throwing off the balance of your garden.
Spicy Garlic Spray for Flea Beetles
6 Garlic Cloves
1 Tablespoon dried Hot Pepper
1 quart of Warm Water
Crush the garlic as small as you can & mix all the ingredients together. Let it sit for 2 days (you will probably want to cover it). Strain the mix through a cheese cloth into a spray bottle. Apply liberally to the effected plants.
Even Spicier Spray for Squirrels & Mice
1/2 oz Hot Sauce or 2 Tablespoons of crushed Cayenne Pepper
1 Litre of warm Water
1/2 teaspoon of Liquid Soap
1 teaspoon of Chilli Powder
Mix all the ingredients together into a spray bottle & apply liberally to the effective area. You may need to strain the cayenne pepper through a cheesecloth, if you go that route.
Fish & Kelp Spray for Deer
1 Tablespoon of Kelp Emulsion
1 cup of Fish Emulsion
3 Tablespoons of Liquid Soap
1 Gallon of Water
Mix all the ingredients together in a big spray bottle and apply liberally to the effected area and/or the perimeter of your garden.
Cat Spray
2 tablespoons of Cayenne Pepper
3 tablespoons of Powdered Mustard
5 Tablespoons of Flour
2 Quarts of Water
Mix dry ingredients together & add water. Mix it all really well and pout through a funnel into a spray bottle with a squirt function & squirt it around the area.
Dog Spray
A Clove of Garlic
1 medium Onion
1 quart of warm Water
a teaspoon of Hot Sauce
& 1 Tablespoon Cayenne Pepper
Mix all the ingredients and let it sit for 24 hours. Drizzle the mix on the soil around the area.
Peppermint Spray for Aphids
15 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
1 Tablespoon Castile Soap
1 Litre of Water
Mix the ingredients into a spray bottle & apply liberally to the effected plants
All Purpose Essential Oil Pest Spray
10 – 15 drops each of
Rosemary Essential Oil,
Peppermint Essential Oil,
Clove Essential Oil,
& Thyme Essential Oil,
1 Tablespoon of Castile Soap
1 Litre of Water
Mix all the ingredients into a spray bottle (preferably glass if you are going to leave the mix in the bottle for an extended period of time) & spray liberally to the effected plants
Chamomile for Seedlings (not really a garden pest spray but..)
Basically make some relatively weak chamomile tea.
Allow it to cool to room temperature and water your seedling with it using a spray bottle. It helps to prevent damping off, where seedlings wither and die before they get a chance to really get going.