RobinDz62
Newly Registered
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 2:33 pm
Location: South Carolina

I want Natural pest control....

Is there a mixing ratio I need to use on the hot peppers and garlic?

I read online somewhere that using your dishwater after you are fininshed washing the dishes is a good bug repellent for plants.
What do you think?



~Robin

Dillbert
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Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2010 3:29 pm
Location: Central PA

>>I read online somewhere that using your dishwater after you are fininshed washing the dishes is a good bug repellent for plants.

not a good idea. most dish washing stuff is a detergent, not a soap - and detergents might kill the bugs, but also the plants. there are 'insecticidal soaps' on the market - these are carefully formulated to do in the bug but not the plant.

soaps are actually not a repellent - they "work" by dissolving the waxy protective coating on insects which lets them 'dry out to death' - as such it's a "contact insecticide" - you must get it on the bug proper.

what specific bugs are you having problems with?

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rainbowgardener
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Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: TN/GA 7b

Agree with above, that most dishwashing liquids are detergent and harmful to plants. But you don't really need insecticidal soap. Just be sure your soapy water is actual soap -- Ivory or Dr. Brunner's or something like that.

The garlic / pepper recipe doesn't need to be exact. I use a garlic/ pepper mixture and just throw in handfuls of this and that. Blend it all up in water, let it sit for a few hours, strain, dilute some more and spray. It's not rocket science! As long as it smells pretty potent, you are fine. You can put a few drops of SOAP, in your garlic/ pepper mix.



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