298 Sustainable Farming
Spray with natural pesticides
Natural pesticides prevent crop damage with much less harm to people and the
environment than chemical sprays. They are easy to make and cost less than
chemicals.
But even natural pesticides must be used with care. Never use more
than you need. Always wash your hands after handling them. Always wash
food before eating or selling it. A natural pesticide may work well in some
conditions but not in others. If one kind does not work, try other kinds.
Natural pesticides for plant-eating insects
Plant-eating insects are best controlled by pesticides
made from strong-smelling plants such as garlic,
onion, chili pepper, marigold, and citronella leaves.
1. Collect the plant you want to use, let it dry, and
grind the dried plant to a powder.
2. Soak the powder in water overnight
(1 handful of powder to 1 liter of water).
3. Pour the mixture through a screen or cloth to remove solids.
4. Add a little bit of mild soap to help the pesticide stick to plants.
5. Spray or sprinkle the mixture on plants. Test your mixture on
1 or 2 plants first. If it seems to hurt the plants, it may be too strong.
Add more water and test it until it seems good.
6. Repeat as needed, and after it rains.
Natural pesticides for sap-sucker insects
Sap-sucker insects are killed by coating them with mild soap or oil that blocks
their breathing holes. Spraying plants with mild soapy water or water mixed
with vegetable oil will kill these pests. Do not use detergents or strong soaps
because they damage plants, soil, and insects.
Other natural pesticides
Urine diluted in water and sprayed on plants kills pests. Mix 1 cup of urine
with 10 cups of water. Let it sit in a closed container for 10 days. After 10 days,
spray the mixture onto your crops.
Tobacco kills many pests. Boil 1 cup of tobacco leaves or cigarette butts in
5 liters of water. Strain out the leaves or butts, add a little soap, and spray it
on plants. Do not use tobacco on tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant. It
will damage these plants and will not kill most pests that attack them.
Important: Tobacco juice is poison! Avoid getting tobacco juice on skin or
clothes. Avoid breathing the steam while boiling tobacco leaves.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012