Natural Pesticides for Vegetables
Hello gardeners, we are back with a new and interesting topic called natural pesticides for vegetables. Do you want to know about natural pesticides for vegetables? Well, and then follow this complete article to know in detail.
Introduction to Natural Pesticides for Vegetables
Natural pesticides are pesticides that are made with the help of other organisms usually for their defence or are derived from a natural source such as a mineral or even plant. Pesticide products will contain at least one active ingredient and other intentionally added inert ingredients. Insets are chemicals, compounds, and even other substances, including common food commodities for example certain edible oils, spices, herbs, and some natural materials for example beeswax, cellulose.
A Step By Step Guide to Natural Pesticides for Vegetables
Growing vegetables will provide fresh produce for you and your family while giving you full control over what is used in the care and maintenance of your vegetables. Pest control is very important in vegetable gardens to keep hungry insects from feasting on the plants. However, pesticides often contain very harsh toxins that can leave chemical residue on your vegetables. Thankfully, homemade organic pesticides are the very safe choice and they can be easily made from inexpensive items that most people have in their houses.
Types of Pesticides
- Insecticides – insects
- Herbicides – plants
- Rodenticides – rodents (rats & mice)
- Bactericides – bacteria
- Fungicides – fungi
- Larvicides – larvae
Benefits or Advantages of Natural Pesticides for Vegetables
The major and main advantage of pesticides is that they protect plants from insects and other pests. However, listed below are some other primary benefits of it.
- It Controls pests and plant disease vectors.
- It Controls human or livestock disease vectors and nuisance organisms.
- It Controls organisms that harm other human activities and structures.
Best Natural Pesticides for Vegetables
- Vegetable Oil Spray
A homemade pesticide that is made by using vegetable oil and mixed with a mild soap can have a very devastating effect on troublesome insects, which include aphids, mites, and even thrips, etc. To make a basic oil spray pesticide, you need to mix one cup of vegetable oil with one tablespoon of soap after mixing cover it and shake thoroughly, and then when ready to apply, better to add two teaspoons of the oil spray mix with one quart of water, then shake thoroughly, and spray directly on the surfaces of the plants which are being affected by the very little pests. The oil will gently coat the bodies of the insects, by effectively suffocating them, as it blocks the pores through which they breathe.
- Soap Spray
It is a similar homemade pesticide to the oil spray is a soap spray, which is also very effective for controlling mites, aphids, whiteflies, beetles, and even other hungry little insects. To make a basic soap spray pesticide, you need to mix one and one-half teaspoons of mild liquid soap such as castile soap with nearly one quart of water and then spray the mixture directly on the infected surfaces of the vegetable plants. A soap spray pesticide works very similarly to an oil spray pesticide and it can be applied as necessary which means though it is always recommended to not apply it during the very hot sunny part of the day, but rather in the evenings or early mornings.
- Neem Oil Spray
This is my favorite and one of the best natural pesticides for vegetables. It is an oil that is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree and it is a very powerful natural pesticide that is capable of disrupting the life cycle of insects at all stages that mean adult, larvae, and even egg, making it a very great resource for the organic gardener. Neem oil will commonly act as a hormone disruptor and as an “antifeedant” for insects that usually feed on leaves and even other plant parts. Neem oil is known as biodegradable and it is non-toxic to many pets, birds, fish, and other wildlife, and is very effective against a variety of common garden insect pests, as well as being a very natural fungicide that can combat powdery mildew and other fungal infections on vegetable plants. It can be easily found at many garden stores or natural foods markets. To use neem oil as a pesticide, you need to either follow the instructions on the bottle or better to start with a basic mixture of two teaspoons neem oil and then one teaspoon of mild liquid soap shaken thoroughly with one quart of water and then you can spray on the affected plant foliage. Neem oil can also be used very preventatively by spraying the leaves of plants that are often ravaged by pests before they are infested.
- Garlic Spray
In case if you miss this: Vegetable Gardening Calendar In India
This is also one of the Natural Pesticides for Vegetables. Garlic is well-known for its pungent smell, which is very delectable to some and yet repellent to others and it is this strong scent that comes into play when used as a natural pesticide. To make a basic garlic spray, you need to take two whole garlic bulbs (not just two cloves) and puree them in a blender or food processor with a very little amount of water or quart of water. Let the complete mixture sit overnight, then strain it into a quart jar, by adding one-half cup of vegetable oil (optional), one teaspoon of mild liquid soap, and enough water to fill the complete jar. To use this homemade pesticide, you need to use one cup of mixture with one quart of water and spray liberally on infested vegetable plants.
- Chilli Pepper Spray
This is also one of the best natural pesticides for vegetables. Very similar to garlic spray, chilli pepper spray is a very great homemade natural pest repellent that can be even used for a variety of different pests. Chile spray can be made from either fresh hot peppers or even from chilli pepper powder. To make a basic chilli spray from pepper powder, you need to mix one tablespoon of chilli powder with one quart of water and then add several drops of mild liquid soap. This mixture can be easily used full-strength on the leaves of affected plants. To make chilli spray from fresh chilli peppers, better to blend or puree one-half cup of peppers with one cup of water, and then add one quart of water and bring to a boil. Let it sit until cooled, then strain out the complete chilli material, after that add several drops of liquid soap to it, and spray as desired.
[Caution: very hot chilli peppers can be very potent on humans as well, so be aware to wear gloves when handling them, and then keep any sprays made from them away from the eyes, nose, and even mouth.]
- All-in-One Homemade Spray
It is said to be a combination of many different sprays submitted by readers. To make it, puree one bulb of garlic and then one small onion, then add one teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder and let steep for an hour. Strain the complete mixture and add one tablespoon of liquid soap and mix it very well. To apply this homemade pesticide, spray it full-strength onto both the upper surface of the vegetable leaves, as well as the undersides, and then you can store the remainder in the refrigerator for up to nearly a week if desired.
- Tomato Leaf Spray
Tomato plants belong to the nightshade family, and they even contain some sort of pest repellent thing and named “tomatine,” which can very effectively control aphids and other insects.
To make tomato leaf spray for a natural pesticide, chop two cups of fresh tomato leaves that mean which can be taken from the bottom part of the plant into one quart of water, and then let steep overnight. Strain out the plant material and then spray it onto plant foliage.
How to Make Natural Pesticide?
The best and better way to make natural pesticides is to use natural products that you have laying around your house. Garden pests are easily repelled or killed by a surprising number of safe and natural products. Here are a few natural insect repellent processes:
- Process 1:
1 head of garlic
1 tablespoon or 15 ml. dish soap (Note: do not use a dish soap that contains a high content of bleach)
2 tablespoons or 29.5 ml. mineral or vegetable oil
2 cups or 480 ml. water
Peel the garlic cloves and then puree the cloves along with the oil and even with water. Allow it to sit overnight and then strain the complete mixture. Then add the soap and mix toughly. Pour into a spray bottle and then use on pest-infected vegetable plants.
- Process 2:
1 tablespoon or 15 ml. vegetable oil
2 tablespoons or 29.5 ml. baking soda
1 teaspoon or 5 ml. dish soap or Murphy Oil (Note: do not use a dish soap that contains a high content of bleach)
2 quarts or 1 L. of water
Combine all these ingredients and pour them into a spray bottle. Use this organic bug spray on your affected vegetable plants.
- Process 3:
1/2 cup or 120 ml. chopped hot peppers (the hotter the better)
2 cups or 480 ml. water
2 tablespoons or 29.5 ml. dish soap (Note: do not use a dish soap that contains a high content of bleach)
Puree peppers and even water. Let it sit one night. Strain very carefully (this may burn your skin) and mix in dish soap. Pour it into a spray bottle and then spray this organic bug spray on your buggy vegetable plants.
Tips for Appling Natural Pesticides for Vegetables
Apply the chosen pesticide on top of the vegetable plant leaves as well as underneath–you should not overdo it, excess can cause damage.
Most of them are very effective as a weekly treatment. Excessive use can affect vegetation as well as kill the beneficial creepers you want to encourage in your garden (earthworms, bees, ladybugs, etc.). If you are not able to see results with a 7-day treatment, you can bump it up to 5 but watch very carefully to make sure plants can handle it without being damaged.
Avoid treating plants during very hot sunny weather and do so later in the day to reduce the risk of burning.
If it looks like rain, you can delay until the weather is clear since any rain will wash away the new pesticide application. If it has recently rained, then you need to wait till greenery is dry before applying to prevent the mix from being diluted with rain.
When you are trying a new solution, better to test on just a couple of leaves first which means apply then watch how they react after two to three days if no signs of damage then you can proceed with spraying.
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Commonly Asked Questions about Natural Pesticides for Vegetables
What is the main difference between organic and inorganic pesticides?
Most pesticide active ingredients are either inorganic or even organic pesticides. From a scientific view, inorganic pesticides do not contain any sort of carbon and are usually derived from mineral ores extracted from the earth. Organic pesticides contain some sort of carbon in their chemical structure.
What are some examples of natural pesticides used?
Milky spore is the best example of this type of natural pesticide. Botanical pesticides come from plants. Nicotine, Neem, Rotenone, Sabadilla, and even Pyrethrins are all derived from other plants.
What are the basic natural pesticides?
Natural pesticides include lavender; garlic, tea tree oil, and even diatomaceous earth are natural forms that help to repel pests. Some natural pesticides like the diatomaceous earth- can even kill the insects that come in contact with it.
Are home pesticides are safe?
However, there are no safe pesticides. Some are safer than others like boric acid is one example. You can choose pesticides that are organic or labelled as non-toxic, but often they must be reapplied and they take very long to work out.
What is the main difference between insecticide and pesticide?
Pesticides are natural chemicals that will be used to kill fungus, bacteria, insects, plant diseases, snails, slugs, or weeds among others. Insecticides are a different type of pesticide that is used to specifically target and kill insects. Some insecticides include snail bait, ant killer, and even wasp killer.
How do pesticides kill pests?
pesticides easily kill pests by getting inside their bodies where they then act as poison. There are three different ways that pesticides can get into a pest body. One of them is the pesticide enters the body through the skin. In pests, the skin is called the cuticle.
Vinegar is a good pesticide?
A good mix of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts of water with a few drops of mild dish soap can even help to control garden pests. Spray it on vines, and vegetables that have had any sort of infestation of aphids, caterpillars, or stink bugs. The soap will suffocate the bugs, and the vinegar will even repel future attackers for a short time.