Best Ever Garlic Spray for Garden Pests

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Best Ever Garlic Spray for Garden Pests

By Annie B. Bond, Executive Producer, Care2 Healthy Living Channels.

Simple Solution

Ever since my friend Doug Harp told me about the great results he

got from using soap spray on the gypsy moths that had infested his

apple trees, I've worked on perfecting the ideal insecticidal soap

spray recipe that will work on a wide variety of garden pests.

 

This is it. It's fast and easy to make, economical, non-toxic to the

environment and to our own bodies - and it works!

 

Soap has been used for centuries as an all-purpose pesticide. It

disrupts insects' cell membranes, and kills pests by dehydration.

The key is not to use too much soap, or you'll also kill the

vegetation near the pests. If you follow the proportions of soap to

water in the Basic Soap Spray recipe, below, the vegetation should

be fine.

 

Note: Buy a liquid soap, NOT a detergent. Health food stores have

liquid soaps, such as Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soaps.

 

Basic Soap Spray

1 to 2 tablespoons liquid soap

1 quart water

 

Combine ingredients in a bucket, mix, then transfer to a spray

bottle as needed.

 

Garlic Variation

1 to 2 heads garlic, chopped

Enough boiling water to cover

Put garlic in the bottom of a mason jar and cover with boiling

water. Put lid on and allow to sit overnight, then strain and add

garlic-water to the soap spray. This will decay, so be sure to

freeze leftovers until ready to use again.Helpful Hints

This formula also works as an effective repellent for mice and deer,

since they hate the smell of garlic.