There are many different methods in keeping your survival garden nice and healthy without using harsh chemicals. Anything from fertilizing with compost to organically treating your survival garden against those pesky little insects can all be done the organic way.
A “no harsh chemical” approach is the healthiest option for your vegetables and your family. In this article, I will share recipes for 4organic DIY insect sprays that produce great results! Let’s begin!
Today, let’s talk about common (damaging) garden insects and how you, the gardener, can get rid of those havoc causing little creatures…organically, of course. Many insects such as aphids, spider mites, various types of beetles, and codling moths (to name just a few) can wreak havoc on your vegetable plants!
If you have had these unwanted visitors in your garden before, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. To see even just one plant with the damage these insects leave behind is disheartening to say the least. But, there is hope!
So, what are these organic solutions I speak of? Let's get started!
4 Organic DIY Insect Sprays For Your Survival Garden
Garlic Spray
What you need:
- 1 cup of vegetable oil
- 10-12 cloves of garlic
- 1 qt of water
Directions:
- In a blender, mix together the cloves of garlic and water.
- Using a cheesecloth, strain mixture into a bowl.
- Add vegetable oil.
- Let stand for 2 days and then it’s ready for use.
How to apply:
Every 3 days, spray on your herbs, vegetables, and fruits.
Protects against:
- Mealybugs
- Sucking insects
- Aphids
Even protects your garden from deer and mice!
How to store:
Keep refrigerated. Use within 7-10 days.
Oil Spray
What you need:
- 1 cup of vegetable oil – a freshly opened bottle is recommended for this recipe.
- 1 tbsp of dish soap – regular blue Dawn is my recommendation for this spray recipe.
- Water
Directions:
- Combine the dish soap and vegetable oil.
- Blend in the water. An effective ratio for this spray is 4 tsp of the oil/soap mixture to 1 pint of water.
How to apply:
Shake well and spray on your vegetable plants once a week.
Protects against:
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
- Thrips
- Spider mites
How to store:
Keep in a dark and cool (but dry) location.
Baby Shampoo Spray
What you need:
- 1 gal of water
- 2 tbsp of baby shampoo
Directions:
Combine water with the baby shampoo.
How to apply:
- Shake very gently and spray on your vegetable plants.
- After 5-6 hours have passed, gently spray water on the same areas to wash off the shampoo mixture.
Note: This spray mixture is not recommended for any “hairy leafed” plants or any vegetable plants that have a “wax like” leaf appearance such as squash.
Protects against:
- Whiteflies
- Codling moths
- Scale insects
- Aphids
- Spider mites
- Thrips
How to store:
Store at room temperature.
Red Pepper Spray
What you need:
- 1 gal of water
- 1 tbsp red pepper powder
- 6 drops of dish soap – regular blue Dawn is my recommendation for this spray recipe.
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients.
- Mix well.
How to apply:
Spray on your vegetable plants once a week.
Protects against:
- Loopers
- Leafhoppers
- Beetles
- Spittlebugs
How to store:
Store in a dark and cool (but dry) location.
Grasshoppers!
By now, a few of you may be wondering about grasshoppers. I didn’t forget! Last gardening season I dedicated an entire article just to these little devils!
Here in Texas, and so many other states, grasshoppers have been known to destroy entire crops in no time at all. It’s devastating! Although, grasshoppers aren’t a huge problem right now (as it is early spring), they will make an appearance soon enough.
If you are like so many other gardeners that struggle year after year with grasshoppers destroying your plants then keep this article handy: Natural Ways to Repel Grasshoppers. It is packed with great information which have produced effective results for so many gardeners and farmers across the country.
If you have a recipe for organic DIY insect sprays that you have had great success with, please share it with us in the comment section below.
Stay tuned for my upcoming articles on how to keep your survival garden in healthy shape all season long! Happy gardening, fellow survivalists!
Up Next: Beginner’s Guide To Having an Outdoor Herb Garden | Survival Gardening
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Editor's Note: This was first published on April 08, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
Can castile soap be used in place of Dawn?