In the last few years, the move towards organic has become incredibly active. People are more aware than ever of the chemicals they’re pouring into their homes, gardens and communities. The pest-control industry is one area where this transformation is most clear. Even old-fashioned bug killers can be loaded with toxic chemicals that can be dangerous to human, animal, and ecosystem health. The solution is, therefore, that many of us are opting for organic bug killers as a safer and greener alternative. In this essay I will show you how to make organic bug killers, tell you my own experience in doing it yourself, and expert advice to make sure that it works.
Why Choose Organic Bug Killers?
Let’s jump into the “how” but first, lets discuss the “why”. Bio-bombs are natural pest control products using plants, essential oils and household chemicals like vinegar or baking soda. They are biodegradable, non-toxic and green. They are not toxic in the way that synthetic pesticides are — they don’t linger on plants, in soil or in the air.
Personal experience: I began researching organic bug killers after my dog started to sneeze and scratch when I applied chemical pesticides to our garden. I worried about her, and I researched natural remedies. Not only did organic bug killers save my pet, but they worked as well to keep pests at bay without killing beneficial insects such as bees and ladybugs.
Tip: Whenever you’re switching to organic pest control, you need to take it on faith. The organic treatments might be a little bit more frequently applied than chemical pesticides, but the longer-term effects for your health and the planet are well worth it.
Organic Bug Killer Ingredients: The Most Common Ingredients In Organic Bug Killers.
And organic bug killers are beautiful because they are so simple. The majority of recipes are made with products that you’ll find in your kitchen or grocery store. These are some of the most popular parts:
Oils: There are oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree and lavender that repel insects. Peppermint, for instance, works against spiders and ants, and tea tree oil repels mosquitoes.
Vinegar: White vinegar is versatile, you can use it to kill weeds, ant and fruit fly.
Dish Soap: Adding a few drops of mild dish soap dissolves the outer layer of insects and works well with most organic bug kills.
Garlic and Chili Peppers: Mix the strong flavors to create a spray that will fight many kinds of insects, from aphids to caterpillars.
Neem Oil: Made from neem tree, the oil is an organic pesticide that disrupts the insect life cycle without killing plants.
Diatomaceous Earth: The powder of fossil algae, it is non-toxic to humans and animals but fatal to exoskeleton insect like ants and cockroaches.
Expert Tip: Never use your organic bug killer without first trying it out on a small patch of your plants. Sometimes ingredients, such as vinegar or essential oils, are too strong for some plants if they’re not dilute.
DIY Organic Bug Killer Recipes
After we got the ingredients out of the way, here are some easy home recipes. These are not difficult to develop, economical and very powerful if done right.
1. All-Purpose Insect Repellent Spray
This is my go-to recipe for insect prevention in my yard and home.
1 cup of water
1 cup of white vinegar
10–15 drops of essential oil (peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree)
1 teaspoon of dish soap
All ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray directly on plants or in the places where pests are getting in your home. The vinegar and essential oils scavenge insects; the dish soap keeps the mixture on surfaces.
User Testimonial: I’ve used this spray to keep ants from my kitchen. Spraying it on windowsills and door frames, I saw ants disappear in a day.
2. Garlic and Chili Pepper Spray
This recipe works best on a soft-bodied insects such as aphids and caterpillars.
2-3 garlic cloves
1-2 hot chili peppers
1 liter of water
1 teaspoon of dish soap
Combine the garlic and chilli peppers in water and strain out the solids. Sprinkle the dish soap and fill a spray bottle. Use it on plants in distress, especially on leaf edges where worms lurk.
Tips from an Expert: Don’t touch chili peppers with gloves, because the capsaicin can burn your skin. Also, don’t spray this solution when it is windy so it doesn’t get in your eyes.
3. Neem Oil Spray
Organic pest control with neem oil: this oil is absolutely potent.
1 liter of water
1-2 teaspoons of neem oil
1 teaspoon of dish soap
Combine in a spray bottle and shake. Apply the solution to plants to kill aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. Neem oil works by interrupting insect feeding and mating cycles.
My own Experience: I have applied neem oil to my tomato plants when they have developed a whitefly infestation. Several sprays later, the whiteflies disappeared, and my plants were happy.
4. Diatomaceous Earth Barrier
For crawling insects such as ants and cockroaches, diatomaceous earth is the new gold.
Just spread a few patches of food grade diatomaceous soil around the edges of your house, garden beds, or any other place where insects are present. Insects are killed when they contact the powder, which dehydrates them.
Tip from the Expert: Always reapply diatomaceous earth after a rain or overwatering because diatomaceous earth becomes ineffective when it is wet.
Guide to Organic Bug Killer Success Organic Bug Killer Tips For Success Organic Pesticides For Sale
Organic bug killers work, but they need a little more of a hand than chemical pesticides. A few tips to get the most out of them:
You Want it to Be Consistent: Organic treatments are often applied multiple times as often as chemical pesticides. For instance, I spray my plants with neem oil every 7-10 days in the season to keep bugs away.
Make It Work on the Right Pests: Different pests need different treatments.
