Pestiticides

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Pestiticides

Many plants produce their own defensive compounds to deter or kill anything which tries to rob them of food or water. These can be extracted and used in the garden to our advantage. There are already commercial products available which are based on plant extracts, eg. Derris from brassicas.
Pyrethrin is prepared from the dried flowerheads of Pyrethrum cinerariifolium. The active ingredients are pyrethrins and cinerins which kill on contact by paralysing the nervous system. The insects do not appear to become resistant to Pyrethrin.

Over the years gardeners have used a number of concoctions to fight off pests and diseases some of which are included here for interest only as it is illegal in the UK to use anything which is not licensed for specific uses by 'Big Brother' in his ivory tower, or riding on the gravy train, in Brussels.

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Insecticide Soap Spray Use liquid soap available from health shops, not detergent as it may damage plants. 30ml liquid soap in 1 litre of water. It disrupts the cells of insects causing dehydration and death. Do not use in bright sunshine to avoid scorching foliage. Rhubarb Leaves - contain oxalic acid 1.1kg Rhubarb leaves to 1 litre water leave for one week, use liquid as a spray (Use Tomato, Elder or Nettle leaves instead)2.450g Rhubarb leaves in 1.1 litres of water Boil for 30 minutes, topping up to allow for evaporation. Allow to cool and add a dessertsoppnful of soap flakes as a wetting agent. Strain and use as a spray, undiluted. Elder shoots - contain hydrocyanic acid - effective against aphids and caterpillars. Laurel leaves also contain this acid.450g young Elder shoots in 3 litres of water Boil for 30 minutes, strain and cool. Can be bottled while hot and will keep for 3 months. Use as a drench or spray. Boric Acid (Borax) - a mild acidic powder which is the main ingredient in many proprietary products. Kills crawling insects by attacking their nervous system and causes dehydration - it can be mixed with an equal amount of icing sugar and sprinkled around as an ant bait. Also it can be dissolved in diluted hydrogen peroxide for use as a fungicidal disinfectant for hard surfaces or soil (not on plants). 2 to 3 drops washing-up liquid in 1 gallon or 4.5 litres water, use as a spray Cinamon powder will deter ants, so if it is sprinkled at the entrance to their nest, they will move away. Garlic Spray - kills many insect pests and friends so use carefully 1.Non-oily - Chop one or two complete garlic bulbs (heads) and cover with boiling water in a lidded jar. Leave to soak overnight. Strain and add to one litre of Soap Spray. Unused spray will decay but can be frozen to preserve.2.Oily - 100g chopped garlic soaked for at least 24 hours in 30ml Liquid Paraffin or Baby Oil. Add 500ml water with 5ml liquid soap and stir well to emulsify the oil. This should keep for a few months in a sealed jar. Use 30ml of preparation in 500ml water to spray plants.3.Powdered dry garlic bulbs Sprinkle the powder over affected plants or mix with water to make a spray.Do not use metallic containers as they may react with the mixture. Wormwood Tea: 8 ounces wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) leaves Simmer in 4 pints of water for 30 minutes. Strain, leave to cool and add 1 teaspoon of soft soap. Use as a spray for Aphids, Caterpillars, Flea Beetles and Moths. Place dried sprigs of Wormwood in the garden beside carrots and onions to mask their scent, thus distracting insects such as the carrot root fly. Water run-off into the soil from the living plant has a growth inhibiting effect on plants, but this does not occur with the dried herb.