Natural Pest Control Sprays
Below are directions for making environmentally friendly pest sprays. To find out what pests they can be used against, click here.
Basil:
Pour 1 litre of boiling water over 2 firmly packed cupfuls of chopped basil leaves. Allow to stand until liquid is cool. Strain and use within 2 days.
Camphor plant:
Place a plant near affected areas; or place dried leaves in sachets and place them in effected areas.
Camphor tree:
Chamomile: Place 2 firmly packed cupfuls of fresh flowers into a bowl, pour over 1 litre of boiling water. Leave until cool. Strain. Use within a few days.
Chilli peppers:
Mix 1 cupful of packed dried chilli or 2-3 cupfuls of fresh , with 1 litre of water. Allow to stand for a few hours; then strain through a cloth. Dilute one part concentrate with two parts water. Mixture will keep for several weeks. Contact with spray may cause severe blistering.
Chives:
Place 1 firmly packed cupful of chopped leaves in a bowl, pour over 1 litre of boiling water. Cool and strain. Use within a few hours.
Citronella:
Combine one part citronella oil with 10 parts water. Pour the mixture into small containers/jars and hang them in the affected trees. Empty mixture and replace once a week.
Coriander:
Boil 3 firmly packed cupfuls of fresh coriander leaves and/or flowers with 1 litre of water for 10 mins. Cover and leave to cool. Strain. Use within a few days.
Elder:
Combine 200g of elder leaves and stems with 1 litre of water into a saucepan. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer for 30 mins. Cool and strain. Can be kept for up to 3 months. Store in a dark place. Spray is potent.
Eucalyptus:
Add 6 teaspoons of eucalyptus oil to 1 litre of water. Shake well; use within 2 days. Place 2 firmly packed cupfuls of crushed leaves in a bowl and pour over 1 litre of boiling water. Cover the bowl and stand until cool. Strain and use within 2 days.
Feverfew:
Pour 1 litre of boiling water over 2 firmly packed cupfuls of flowers. Leave to cool. Strain and add 2 teaspoons of pure soap. Shake well. Use within a few days.
Garlic:
Spray which only keeps for a few days: Roughly chop 10 cloves with 1 litre of water. Leave to infuse overnight, then strain. Roughly chop 200g garlic. Add 7 tablespoons of mineral oil. Cover and leave for approximately 24 hours. Dissolve 20g of pure soap in 1 litre of water, add this to the garlic mixture; mix well. Filter finely. Store in a cool dark place (cooler the better). Use diluted at one part concentrate to 10 parts water. Spray will keep for several months.
Lavender:
Place 1 cup of firmly packed flowers into a bowl. Pour over 1 litre of boiling water. Leave to stand until cool. Strain and use within 2 days.
Marigolds:
Pour 1 litre of boiling water over 2 firmly packed cupfuls of flowers and leaves. Allow to stand for half an hour. Strain and use within 2 days. Spray is potent.
Mints:
(Oil) Place several handfuls of mint leaves (preferably - pennyroyal or peppermint) into a glass jar and cover with oil (safflower or sunflower oil). Place in a sunny position for 3-6 weeks, shaking ever few days. Strain and use within a few days.
Onion:
Roughly chop 3-4 medium onions, mix with 1 litre of boiling water, cover and allow to soak for approximately 7 hours. Strain. Dilute with an equal quantity of water and add 2 tablespoons of pure soap. Spray will deep for a few weeks.
Parsnips:
Place 3-4 roughly chopped medium parsnip roots with 1 litre of water. Place into a food processor. Process and leave to stand overnight. Strain. Use within 2 days.
Rhubarb:
Roughly chop 10-12 large rhubarb leaves and place into a bowl. Pour 1 litre of boiling water over the top. Cover the bowl and allow to cool. Strain and dilute with 1 litre of water. Use within 2 days. Spray is toxic.
Rosemary:
Combine 1 litre of water and 2 firmly packed cupfuls of rosemary leaves and stems, into a saucepan. Bring to the boil and cover with a lid. Simmer for 15 mins. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Strain and use within 2 days.
Sage:
Pour 1 litre of boiling water over 2 firmly packed cupfuls of roughly chopped leaves. Allow to stand until cold. Strain. Use within a few days.
Turnips:
Blend in a food processor, 2 roughly chopped medium sized turnip roots and 1 litre of water. Blend finely. Leave overnight. Strain. Dilute with a equal amount of water. Use within 2 days.