Author: Margie Frayne

Aromatic fragrances released by herbs mingle with and alter the aromas given off by vegetable plants, thus confusing and deterring insects which would normally be attracted to the various vegetables. Herbs can also be used as mulches under vegetables to deter insects.

It does happen that even though careful thought has gone into planning a companion garden, one or another pest will arrive to upset you. In this instance it is useful to have an alternate plan of action in the form of an insect spray to deal with the problem.

• It has been observed that pests do not develop a resistance to sprays that are made from a combination of plant matter.
• Most plant derived insecticidal sprays are cheap and easy to mix, and they can be personalized.
• There is no danger in mixing any combination of herbal plants – although from experience it has been found that complicated mixtures are completely unnecessary.
• Plant sprays deter pests to levels that are bearable.
• Most herbal sprays are not poisonous. (Except those in the table at end of chapter)

There are a few things that you need to remember when controlling plant pests using natural sprays.

Non-toxic insect sprays are used to deter or deflect the pest, or to disturb its breeding cycle. They don't kill the insects.

Strong healthy plants are less likely to be attacked by insects – to achieve this you have to focus your attention on enriching the soil with good compost and organic fertilisers prior to planting so that the plants will have the best base in which to grow. Weak plants, or stressed plants attract insects, without a doubt. A stressed plant is one which is over-watered, under-watered, grown out of season, grown in too much shade or sun, under-fed.

Here is a list of common pest problems and suitable herbs to deal with the problem.

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Proportions when Making Sprays

• This is for fresh herbs – reduce the herb by half for dried herb.
• This tabulation gives you an idea of proportions for a wide variety of herbs.
• Use this as a guide if you are using other herbs not mentioned here.

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Basic Herb Spray Recipes

If using fresh herbs:

• Use the suggested proportions of fresh herb material, and cut up roughly.
• Cover with boiling water. Cover with a lid and stand overnight. Strain.

If using dried herbs:

• Use the suggested proportion of crushed dried herbs.
• Cover with 1 litre boiling water. Cover and stand overnight. Strain.

It is not necessary to use more than one herb in a mixture to make the spray more effective. It will be a waste of herbs.

You should be aware that using mints (penny royal, mint, peppermint) for foliar sprays has been found to inhibit plant growth.

Here are also 4 tried and tested insect repellent recipes which are easy to make and successful.

PLEASE NOTE:

It is very important to use very little oil or soap in the recipes as both of these can have negative effects on the plants by blocking their breathing pores. These two ingredients are added into the recipes to make them stick to the insects more readily, but continual applications on the plants can be counter productive. It is therefore not essential to include either soap or oil in the recipe. Follow your instincts when making your own spray.

BENEFICIAL INSECTS are just as easily driven out of your garden as undesirable insects. They will be less vulnerable if your spray is applied in late afternoon / early evening.

GARLIC, ONION AND CHILLI SPRAY.

This spray is antibiotic, antiseptic, and a broad spectrum bactericidal, fungicidal, and insecticidal.
Use with discretion
It will deter or even kill beneficial pests also.
Avoid getting into the eyes.
Do not apply too much as it can burn tender plants.
(Rather spray less on the plants, two or three days in a row.)

• Roughly cut up a full pod of garlic, including skins
• Roughly cut up 4 onions, including skins
• Add a handful of crushed, dried or fresh chilli, or chilli seeds.(See warning under Chilli Spray)
• Place all in an old bucket with a lid.
• Cover this with 3 litres boiling water. Close the container, and allow to stand for 1 day.
• Strain through a fine sieve.
• Add 1 Tbs light oil – linseed oil or cooking oil.
• Add 1 Tbs Sunlight dishwash soap and mix well.
• Dilute 1cup of this mixture with 5 cups cold water and place in a spray canister.

Spray on plants (EXCEPT LEGUMES) that are being attacked by any of the following:
Aphids, cabbage butterfly, mites, scale, thrips, tomato flies, green fly, white fly, caterpillars, cutworms, red spider, beetles (all kinds), moths (all kinds), ants, termites, fungi, bacteria, blight, slugs, snails.
Use the entire mixture within a week as it will ferment if kept longer.

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GARLIC SPRAY CONCENTRATE

• Soak 100g chopped garlic and 2 Tbs cooking oil in a lidded container for 2 days.
• Add 1 Tbs Sunlight dishwash soap and 500ml boiling water.
• Cover and stand for 24 hours.
• Stir often. Strain through a fine sieve.
• Dilute 3 tsp to 1 litre water to use.
• Bottle, label clearly with name and date, and keep in a cool place

CHILLI SPRAY CONCENTRATE

WARNING : Do not work indoors with dried chilli and chilli seeds – the fumes take your breath away. Use gloves when handling chillis. Avoid touching your eyes and mouth. The natural chilli oil is very strong and will burn for hours afterwards. There is nothing really that stops the burning !

• Put 1 handful of chilli seeds (fresh or dry) or chopped whole fresh chilli in a container and cover with 500ml boiling water. Close and soak overnight.
• Blend, strain and add 2 tsp Sunlight dishwash soap.
• Dilute 3 tsp to 1 litre water.
• Bottle, label clearly with name and date, keep in a cool place.

PYRETHRUM OR FEVERFEW SPRAY

• 2 tsp crushed flower heads
• 2 litre boiling water
• ½ tsp Sunlight dishwash soap
• Mix together and stand for 30 mins. Strain and use.

Never underestimate that a strong burst of water can dislodge many plant pests and this should be the first action in the control of plant pests in the garden. Should this not be effective enough, then use your natural herbal sprays, repeatedly, until you see that the action is taking effect.

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DANGEROUS OR POISONOUS HERBS

There are several herbal plants whose leaves are TOXIC to humans AND to other creatures. They are found in the garden and field. They are, unfortunately, often recommended by ill informed people to KILL insect pests in the garden. Please be aware that not only do these potions KILL all insects, but they also KILL small birds & small animals that dwell on ground level in your gardens, as well as the millions of microscopic inhabitants in the upper surface of the soil. Their toxic effects remain on the plants that are sprayed, or drenched, so they should never be used on plants that will be eaten, namely herbs and vegetables.

Author:

Margie Frayne, a herbalist and organic practitioner, (082 375 0918) has used natural sprays for many years in an organic farming environment.
Herbalist, organic agriculture consultant, author and lecturer.'

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