Homemade Bug Spray for House Plants
There are bugs on your peace lily and schefflera. Your new puppy likes to chew on the plants, so you don't want to take a chance of hurting him by using a chemical pesticide. Make a homemade bug spray to use on your plants. It is quick to make and easy to use and won't harm your pets or the environment.
Soapy Bug Spray
You can make a simple bug spray for plants with dish soap. In a container with a lid, pour 1 quart of water and add 1 tsp. of Ivory dish soap or Murphy's Oil Soap and 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil. Put the lid on the container and shake it to mix the ingredients well. Pour the homemade bug spray into a clean spray bottle. Be careful not to use a bottle that had cleaning chemicals in it, because residue from the chemicals can harm the plants. Label the bottle and the lidded container. Spray the bugs on the house plant. The spray paralyzes and suffocates the insects. Check to be sure that the spray doesn't burn the leaves of delicate plants. Repeat every few days to prevent a re-infestation.
Garlic and Hot Pepper Spray
If you don't mind the smell, a spray can be made with garlic or hot pepper. Add 2 or 3 cloves of garlic and 6 large, or 12 small, chili peppers to the soapy bug spray. Put this mixture into a blender and puree it. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth or coffee filter. Pour it into a clean spray bottle and spray the plant. Repeat the spray every few days.
Wash your hands carefully and avoid touching your eyes because the chili peppers can burn.
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Writer Bio
After attending Hardin Simmons University, Kay Dean finished her formal education with the Institute of Children's Literature. Since 1995, Dean has written for such publications as "PB&J," Disney’s "Family Fun," "ParentLife," "Living With Teenagers" and Thomas Nelson’s NY Times bestselling "Resolve." An avid gardener for 25 years, her experience includes organic food gardening, ornamental plants, shrubs and trees, with a special love for roses.
