If you’re looking for a gentle and effective pesticide for your plants, why not make your own?
With just 3 simple ingredients, you can make a homemade organic pesticide spray that keeps your plants happy and healthy!
Why Make Your Own Pesticide?
Store bought pesticide sprays are often made up of toxic chemicals that can sometimes do more harm than good. Some chemical pesticides can pose a health risk to humans and pets as they can be toxic if too much is inhaled or ingested.
Making your own homemade pesticide means you can use organic ingredients like neem oil, which is a natural pesticide. They are also more gentle than other pesticides as you only need 3 ingredients!
How Does It Work?
Neem oil is used in pesticides to control pests and prevent insects from feeding on leaves and other parts of plants. It is effective against hundreds of pests like aphids, mealybugs, spider mites and whiteflies.
Castile soap is a prediluted liquid soap that helps control pests on plants like aphids, spider mites, mealybugs and whiteflies. It simultaneously helps clean the plant (especially indoor plants that get dusty) and it is used to bind the oil and water together.
Pesticide Recipe
This recipe makes enough pesticide for a garden of plants. However, we recommend only making as much as you need.This pesticide spray does not contain preservatives so it will not last very long after it has been made.
So if you only have one plant to use it on, make a small amount (this will require a weighing scale that can measure below 0.1g).
Ingredients:
- Water 170g | 170ml
- Organic neem oil 1g | 1ml
- Castle liquid soap base 3g
Method:
1. Weigh the Ingredients
- Measure the neem oil, water and castile soap base in a bowl.
- Mix everything together really well until the oil and water has completely combined.
2. Pour into your spray bottle
- Pour the mixture into your spray bottle.
- Use the mixture straight away as it won’t last long!
TIP: If the oil looks like it is separating from the water, give the bottle a shake to combine the ingredients again.
How To Use It
Simply spray the pesticide over your plants, making sure to cover the stems and both the top and bottom of the leaves. Reapply if necessary to ensure all the pests are gone.
If you are using it as a precaution and to clean your plants, you can also use a microfiber cloth or microfibre gloves to gently wipe the plant. We recommend doing this once a week or every few weeks, to help keep the pests away.
Now your plant should be pesticide free and look fresh!
Continue Reading
Now you know how to make your own pesticide, why not continue reading?
- Fill your home with autumn scents with our easy autumn candle recipe!
- Learn about our ylang ylang oil with our blog!
- Can you use essential oils for cleaning? Find out with our new blog!
Did you like this homemade pesticide recipe? Let us know in the comments!
