Natural insecticides that work best

The natural remedies that work best (definitely more convenient and less harmful than chemical products) belong to two categories: aromatic plants (basil, mint, rosemary, lemongrass, lavender), which can also be kept indoors when temperatures rise; essential oils (from cloves to neem oil). Each natural remedy works best with one type of insect: mosquitoes are kept away by citronella and lavender, basil and mint are ideal for flies and midges, Chili peppers, like onions, keep insects away from plants in the garden, on the terrace, and on the balcony.

Chilli

What works, in the case of chili peppers, is capsaicin, the substance that makes the red peppers very spicy. This substance provides humans with the benefits of chili peppers , an extraordinary elixir for our health, while insects, which are harmful to plants, find it very unpleasant. To the point of forcing them to stay away.

The preparation procedure is really very simple:

• The chilli pepper must first be dried, then crushed with all the seeds and reduced to almost a powder.
• At this point we move on to the maceration, with the following dosage: 20 grams of chopped dried chili pepper in 10 liters of natural tap water.

The chilli pepper macerate should be sprayed on the plants and can be stored for several months in dark bottles, stored in a cool place.

Sodium bicarbonate

Water and baking soda is a combination we often use as a natural household cleaner. It's also very effective at controlling pests, particularly against powdery mildew, which affects plants like sage , zucchini, and cucumber. Here, too, the dosages of the basic ingredients and the preparation are very simple. Simply add two tablespoons of baking soda (about 4 grams) to a liter of water, stir until completely dissolved, and then pour into a spray bottle. Just two precautions: the spray must be gentle, in fine drops, and it should be applied to both sides of the leaves, the top and bottom.

Marseille soap

Highly effective against aphids and scale insects , this natural pesticide works mechanically. It essentially blocks the insect's breathing, rather than poisoning it and harming the environment. The most appropriate dosage for properly preparing this natural remedy is 15 grams of Marseille soap per liter of water, preferably lukewarm. The solution should be sprayed on the entire plant before it is completely infested, and in conditions (without sunlight) that prevent it from being absorbed too quickly, yet allow it to take effect.

Neem oil

Neem oil , completely non-toxic, is used with excellent results to repel pests, scale insects, beetles, and red spiders. The best way to use it is to create a solution of 2 percent neem oil, a liter of warm water, and Marseille soap.

Wood ash

Wood ash is a coarse, powdery material that can act as a physical barrier against some insects . When spread around plants or on the ground, the ash can deter insects such as slugs, aphids, flies, and other pests from direct contact with the plant. Ash dust tends to dry out insects' skin and can damage them, preventing them from moving freely. It can also act as a mild fertilizer.

Garlic and onion

This natural insecticide is incredibly easy to make, thanks in part to the ingredients you'll always have at home. Another huge benefit of making pesticides at home is that you can use up food scraps, completely eliminating unnecessary waste.

Necessary

• Garlic 30 grams
• Onion 20 grams
• A liter of water

Method

Boil the water for 15 minutes with 30 grams of garlic and 20 grams of onion . The best results were obtained with the ingredients used in these proportions, but the decoction remains effective even when the proportions are varied.

The preparation does not need to be diluted to perform its repellent and insecticidal functions. Among the animal groups it is most effective against are aphids and bedbugs. Furthermore, on liliaceae, due to its high sulfur content, this decoction can also play a role in controlling powdery mildew and other fungal diseases.

How to use it

Once cooled, the decoction should be applied directly to the plants . If it is to be used preventatively, it should be used once every 15 days. When used curatively, it is recommended to repeat the application every 3–4 days.

Multipurpose recipe against insects

Ingredients

• Distilled water: 60 ml
• Food alcohol: 30 ml (serves to solubilize the oils and evaporate the spray)
• Citronella essential oil: 15 drops (classic mosquito repellent)
• Eucalyptus Citriodora essential oil: 15 drops (powerful repellent for flying insects)
• Lavender essential oil: 10 drops (soothing and repellant to flies and mosquitoes)
• Peppermint essential oil: 5 drops (excellent against ants and spiders)

Tools required

• A 100ml dark glass spray bottle (essential oils degrade in light and can corrode lightweight plastic).

Method

1. Combine the alcohol and oils: First pour the alcohol into the bottle and add all the drops of essential oils. Shake well to dissolve them.
2. Add water: Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water and shake again.
3. Application: Always shake the bottle before each use. Spray the room, windowsills, or fabrics every 2-3 hours to maintain the active effect.

Read also:

• Mosquito-Repelling Plants: The Most Effective
• How to keep mice away with only natural remedies
• The plastic bottle that becomes an insect trap in the garden