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Organic Pesticide???

Martha_VH
Martha_VH Posts: 386 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I would like to find an natural or organic insecticide that ACTUALLY WORKS! I would like to have healthy peppers and tomatoes. My dad is an avid gardener, and he has tried a few different natural home remmodies for his vegetables. But he said if its natural chances are the bugs will eat it.

Please share any successful things you have tried.

Replies

  • go2grrl
    go2grrl Posts: 190 Member
    Have you tried using DE (Diatomaceous Earth)? I don't have a garden but use it in the house to keep fleas and other bugs away. And have friends who swear by it for their gardens and chicken coops. There's a little blip about it here:

    http://www.ehow.com/how_2292919_use-diatomaceous-earth-gardening.html

    You just have to be careful when you sprinkle it around as there is anecdotal evidence it may harm lungs if inhaled. Since I'm not sure, I just wear a breathing mask until it's worked into every nook and cranny and floor board.
  • Larius
    Larius Posts: 507 Member
    Have you heard of companion planting? You plant certain plants together and they help each other out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants
  • pmjsmom
    pmjsmom Posts: 1,926 Member
    I use a brand called Garden Safe made by Schultz and have had good results. Sevin is also recommended a lot but I have never used it.

    Here is an article about different organic pesticides and how they work:

    http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenproblems/a/OrganicPesticid.htm

    Your local Garden Center should have a lot of these in stock and also people there to help answer any questions.

    Good luck!
  • Martha_VH
    Martha_VH Posts: 386 Member
    Sevin is not organic in the least. I am looking for non chemical solutions. My theory is that if you should not be swallowing it, is it really something we want to be spraying on our vegetables?

    Thanks for the garden safe. I will look into that.
  • kayemme
    kayemme Posts: 1,782 Member
    we make a tincture out of garlic stems and hot peppers, then spray that. it washes off easy, though,so you have to do it after you water. and maybe add a drop of soap.

    also i heard fish emulsion works as both a fertilizer and a bug repellent.
  • Pink_turnip
    Pink_turnip Posts: 280 Member
    There is an organic farm near me that uses bugs as a natural pesticide. They sell their produce to all the high end restaurants in my city.
  • pmjsmom
    pmjsmom Posts: 1,926 Member
    Sevin is not organic in the least. I am looking for non chemical solutions.

    As I said, I have never used it and was surprised to see it in the article on organic pesticides. I think that may be because it is broken down easily once it is used. I do hear the 'experts' in our local garden cenrecommendingding it a lot, though, as it washes off easily.

    To be honest, I have never had much of a problem with pests on my vegetables. My problem (I'm in the Pacific NW) is getting enough sun to for them to ripen!
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    I buy all my organic pest control products from www.gardensalive.com
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    Sevin is not organic in the least. I am looking for non chemical solutions. My theory is that if you should not be swallowing it, is it really something we want to be spraying on our vegetables?

    Thanks for the garden safe. I will look into that.

    I thought that Sevin started making organic pesticides.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Spraying a little salt water directly on the fruit will keep some bugs away. Don't make it too strong because you don't want too much salt to wash off into the soil. This is also helpful for keeps worms off of greens.
  • pepperedmoth
    pepperedmoth Posts: 37 Member
    Look into Pyrethrum, which is made from the powdered leaves of the Chrysanthemum- or, if you're willing to be less organic, the pyrethroids (pretty much anything with pyreth- in front of the name) which are the synthetic derivatives. All are quite safe for humans as long as they're not mixed with anything nasty. They're also VERY effective against insects!
  • Martha_VH
    Martha_VH Posts: 386 Member
    Thanks everyone. I value your input.
This discussion has been closed.

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