Best Natural Insecticides for Your NYC Garden
If you are trying to grow a successful garden in New York City, you're already faced with a series of challenges.
You might not have access to a lot of space or irrigation solutions. So, when you develop a pest problem, this can become even more discouraging.
Growing a garden is a humbling experience. But while you want to control pests, you don't want to risk contaminating your family with dangerous insecticides in the process.
Natural Insecticides for Your Insect Problems
#### Vegetable Oil
Mixed with a few drops of mild dish soap, a cup of vegetable oil can help annihilate damaging pests like mites, thrips, aphids, and others in your garden. The mixture works by coating the insects' bodies and then suffocating them. Most insects breathe through the pores in their shells.
#### Dish Soap
Dish soap, or even castile soap, is also effective when used by itself. Soap works like oil spray pesticide and can be applied in the cooler times of the day. Soap spray is merely a few drops of dish soap mixed with a quart of water. It can be sprayed all around your plants, including leaves, without risking damage to the vulnerable leaves and roots.
#### Diatomaceous Earth
This substance is useful in some settings around the home and is one of the best natural insecticides. This all-natural material is the sedimentary rock that was created by fossilized algae. It works simply by acting as an abrasive material.
When insects walk across diatomaceous earth, it hurts their feet, and it absorbs the lipids from their exoskeletons.
This dehydrates and kills them. You can find this substance at most lawn and garden stores. You only need to use a small dusting around your affected plants.
#### Garlic
Garlic is one of the great natural insecticides at repelling insects. This pungent vegetable deters pests simply because it is stinky. Just grind two bulbs of garlic in a food processor, and then puree with a small bit of water. Let the mixture sit overnight, and then add some oil and dish soap to give it true sticking power. It can be applied as often, and as liberally, as desired.
#### Chili Peppers
Chili peppers make an excellent insect repellent. But you must be careful when using them in your garden, as you can burn your eyes when spraying the mixture. Chili spray is made by mixing a tablespoon of chili powder with a quart of water and a few drops of dish soap. You can use it regularly on your plants, but make sure you allow it to cool first.
#### Neem Oil
Neem oil has been used for thousands of years as an all-natural solution to pest infestations. It is a hormone disrupter and discourages insects from feeding on leaves. It is also a natural fungicide and can get rid of powdery mildew and other fungal infestations.
Neem Oil can be used on all stages of pests including adult, larvae, or egg.
To use it on your garden mix two teaspoons of neem oil with a teaspoon of mild liquid soap and a quart of water. Spray the leaves of the plants either as a preventative measure or once an infestation has developed.
If all else fails, remember that mechanical removal of pests is another viable option. Many people find that hand-plucking aphids, slugs, and other pests off their plants are easier than investing time and money in an insecticide. Consider one of these natural insecticides treatments to get rid of your pest problem today.