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What is a good natural pesticide? (Original Post) ohnoyoudidnt Jun 2014 OP
I'd go with the garlic or pepper Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jun 2014 #1
I did not know about companion planting. ohnoyoudidnt Jun 2014 #8
For what pest(s)? TygrBright Jun 2014 #2
Thank you. ohnoyoudidnt Jun 2014 #10
What they said. littlemissmartypants Jun 2014 #3
I doubt any animals will be an issue. ohnoyoudidnt Jun 2014 #7
Carrots Love Tomatoes PADemD Jun 2014 #4
Thanks for the links. ohnoyoudidnt Jun 2014 #9
You're welcome PADemD Jun 2014 #11
You didn't say what the pests were malokvale77 Jun 2014 #5
I don't know what the pests could be. ohnoyoudidnt Jun 2014 #6
Pool diatomaceous earth won't work malokvale77 Jun 2014 #12

Erich Bloodaxe BSN

(14,733 posts)
1. I'd go with the garlic or pepper
Tue Jun 10, 2014, 07:06 PM
Jun 2014

since I grow those anyway. But I've also heard vinegar has its uses, iirc, and other people suggest planting certain flowers like marigolds. That's called 'companion planting', I guess.

TygrBright

(20,987 posts)
2. For what pest(s)?
Tue Jun 10, 2014, 07:21 PM
Jun 2014

Different things work on different types of pest. Also, just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's harmless to humans, animals, and the soil. That said, some general things used include:

Capsicum- crushed peppers or pepper oil
Diatomaceous earth
Soapy water
Vinegar

Also, as others have noted, certain "companion plants" protect, and discourage pests. Anything in the allium family, nicotiana, marigolds and others.

Lots of info on the Web, DuckDuckGo is your friend!

helpfully,
Bright

littlemissmartypants

(25,276 posts)
3. What they said.
Tue Jun 10, 2014, 08:50 PM
Jun 2014

What is the goal? Are we distracting ants or deer? Spraying vinegar kills some weeds. Red pepper can deter cats. Experiment.

Love, Peace and Shelter.

ohnoyoudidnt

(1,858 posts)
7. I doubt any animals will be an issue.
Wed Jun 11, 2014, 07:45 PM
Jun 2014

I was thinking about preventing whatever insects would go after my plants.

PADemD

(4,482 posts)
11. You're welcome
Wed Jun 11, 2014, 10:06 PM
Jun 2014

One of the best tips in Riotte's book is how to keep cats out of your garden. They hate the smell of Rue. Rue can even be dried and hung on furniture in a sachet to keep your cats from scratching the furniture.

malokvale77

(4,879 posts)
5. You didn't say what the pests were
Wed Jun 11, 2014, 05:58 PM
Jun 2014

My favorites are diatomaeous earth and wood ash for crawling insects. Pyrethium or soap and water for leaf eaters.

Hand pick and crush tomato horn worms. For red spider mites, just a cold spray of water will make them move along

ohnoyoudidnt

(1,858 posts)
6. I don't know what the pests could be.
Wed Jun 11, 2014, 07:43 PM
Jun 2014

I am just starting a garden and want to be prepared and know what I should use for preventative measure. I am in Florida and they are mostly tomato plants. I already have diatomaeous earth that I use for my pool. So I guess I could just use that and keep any eye out for any problems and go from there.

malokvale77

(4,879 posts)
12. Pool diatomaceous earth won't work
Sun Jun 15, 2014, 06:57 PM
Jun 2014

The sharp cutting spikes have been polished off. Those spikes cut into the exoskeleton and dehydrate the pest.

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