A Homemade Pesticide Recipe for Perennials

Neem Dream

• Neem oil is harvested from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), which is a subtropical or tropical evergreen hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 10. It is nontoxic to humans, pets and beneficial insects, but it repels a broad range of insects and has anti-fungal properties. However, bees can suffer adverse effects if they come into direct contact before the application of neem oil solution dries. To use neem to repel pest insects from your plants, combine 1 teaspoon of neem oil, 1/2 teaspoon of mild dish detergent and 1 quart of warm water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray all parts of plants, especially the undersides of the leaves. Apply it once a week until the pests are gone, preferably on cloudy days with temperatures below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not apply in direct sunlight or on hot days because doing so can burn plants. Avoid spraying buds and petals of plants because they may be sensitive to neem oil.

Proceed With Caution

• Hot pepper juice repels most types of insects. It's also an effective repellent for deer and rabbits. Wear gloves to protect your hands from burns, and don't touch your eyes when handling hot peppers. Blend about four habanero peppers in a blender until liquefied and add 2 cups of water. Strain this mixture into a container through a cheesecloth. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray the plants thoroughly once a week. The active ingredient in hot peppers that repels and kills insects, capsaicin, can harm humans and animals who ingest too much of it or inhale it. The pepper spray in the garden also kills beneficial insects, so use with caution.

Sudsy Combo

• Detergent and oil work well on soft-bodied insects such as aphids, mealy bugs, psyllids and spider mites. Combine 1 tablespoon of mild dish detergent and 1 cup of safflower, peanut or soybean oil in a jar to make a concentrate. Mix 4 teaspoons of the concentrate per pint of water in a spray bottle. Spray all parts of the plants thoroughly with this solution to kill the insects. Avoid application on hot, sunny days above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Reapply weekly as needed.

Aromatic Assault

• Garlic (Allium sativum), hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8, and mineral oil used together kills soft-bodied insects on contact. Peel and chop about 12 garlic cloves and soak them overnight in 1 cup of mineral oil. Strain the oil through a cheesecloth and pour it into a spray bottle. Apply this to the plants thoroughly once a week. You can also use this as a concentrate and add it to equal parts water with a few drops of mild dish detergent. Garlic is toxic to dogs, cats and horses, according to the ASPCA.