Make Your Own Organic Pesticides

Not only have chemical control measures proven ineffective in the long run, home made organic pesticides are cheaper and safer.

Some of the most widely used and most potent organic substances include (in order of efficiency):

Neem (raw leaf & oil),

Tobacco (dried leaf),

Chrysanthemum (flowers),

Onion (juiced),

Garlic (juiced)

The juice of the raw neem leaf is the MOST POTENT wide-spectrum pesticide known to man. Neem juice and oil contains more than 50 different pest-killing chemicals, so even insects with immunity to some substances cannot build up enough resistance to all the chemicals.

We all know nicotine is harmful for us. Fortunately, it is also deadly for insects, whose nervous systems literally get overwhelmed by the nicotine input and die. "Khaini" is a tobacco based addictive substance widely used in India.

Chrysanthemum contains a neurotoxin "Pyrethrum" which attacks the nervous system of insects. Just boil the fresh or dry flowers, strain and use the water.

Onion, garlic, and other spicy things are used for their pungent odor. Gently boiling these will release the pungent oils into the water, which can be sprayed directly onto plants.

SOIL INFESTATIONS

Soil dwellers like ants, termites, root borers, and roaches tend to attack the root system. Some even have special relations with other pests and attack in tandem. These underground creatures have very weak but highly adaptive immune systems. So single component chemical pesticides don't work against them.

This recipe combines several ingredients for maximum effect:

2 parts Neem Oil

2 parts Liquid Detergent

5 parts Tobacco

1 part Copper Sulphate * [See Note below]

Mix first 2 components, swish until dirty white, add the rest, whisk until light brown, add 20 parts water and steep for 6-12 hours. Do not strain but pour directly into pot.

For very serious infestations, remove the root ball from the soil entirely and use the following recipe:

5 parts Neem oil

5 parts Liquid Detergent

Mix and whisk till dirty white, add 10 parts water and whisk. Dip the root ball and let soak for 1 hour, then re-pot in clean soil.

LEAF AND STEM INFESTATIONS

Surface-dwellers like aphids, caterpillars, mildew, and molds live above ground and destroy the aerial parts of the plant. These organisms have fairly strong but less adaptive immune systems, so are easier to conquer.

This general recipe will kill all but the hardiest pest.

2 parts garlic

2 parts onion

1 part Copper Sulphate * [See Note below]

3 parts Tobacco

1 parts Pine oil (quite effective for aphids)

2 parts Liquid Detergent

Mix the last two together and add the rest. Add 30 parts water and steep for 4-6 hours. Strain and spray on to the plants.

If this is not enough to stop them in their tracks, use the "neem only" approach:

Get enough fresh neem leaves to fill a 1 liter pot. Chop the leaves and cover with a liter of water, steep for 1 day, and strain. Store in a bottle. This juice is not very stable, so if possible, try to use fresh juice. Neem oil is even better, if you can find it. Neem juice or oil can be sprayed directly onto the affected parts of the plant.

Unhealthy plants are more susceptible to pest infestation. The best natural pesticide is prevention: give your plants the right amounts of air circulation, light, moisture, and nutrients, and they will be much better at fighting off pests.

*A note about Copper Sulphate: Despite use by some organic gardeners, copper sulphate is toxic to humans and other mammals and can cause eye and skin irritation on contact. Use protection and care when using this product.

Rituparno Chakrabarti lives in India, where he advises local farmers on crop issues and pest management techniques. He is also studying Ayurveda, the ancient art of healing with plants.

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