Natural insecticides
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
Canada
March 12, 2007 11:25am CST
I'm staring out my window at all the snow and just WAITING for spring to come... I miss my garden and spending lots of time outdoors! To entertain myself in the meantime, I've been surfing around the 'net, reading tips and tricks for lawn and garden.
My mom taught me to use Sunlight lemon dishsoap in water as a very effective insecticide. I even pour it along the cracks between our patio blocks and it keeps the ants away for weeks at a time. She used to put it in a sprayer and treat her hedges if she started to notice a bug problem and it was also safe to spray over her beautiful flower garden, if needed.
Today, I read that you can make a natural insecticide by placing onions and garlic in a jar of water and letting it stand for a week. You then spray your plants with it. Has anyone tried this and can you tell me how effective it is (or isn't)?
2 people like this
4 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Great idea for the treatment of ants. I will have to keep that one in mind. I have heard of spraying plants with garlic water. It does work. But, you should add something stronger like jalapeno peppers instead of the onion. The bugs don't like the hot peppers.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
14 Mar 07
Oh super! That's great to know that it does work. Thanks, ElusiveButterfly! We already sprinkle our trash with cayenne pepper to keep the raccoons and other critters from tearing things open... so with those hot peppers, we'll have a really spicy yard! :)
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
12 Mar 07
The wheather just broke down here on Sunday. It's sixty degrees today and, I hope, the beginning of Spring. At least the ants think it's Spring. One day in, and they are already here. I think I'll try your Sunlight and water spray. I usually use black pepper but eventually you have to sweep it up and when you do, back come the ants. Thanks for the tip.
1 person likes this
@dragontester (570)
• Switzerland
12 Mar 07
I have not used it before. Will try to use it and see how effective it is. We normally use turmeric powder to prevent the ants from entering in. But, it is not all that effective.
