Are there any alternatives to using chemical pesticides?
There are natural pesticides. “Chemicals” can be of natural or artificial origin. The stuuf that makes jalepeno pepper “hot” is a chemical…just a naturally occuring one. Whether you’re successful with home made remedies depends on the pest in question. A good all-purpose pesticide goes like this: Chop a fresh, very hot pepper (like habenero or jalepeno – the hotter, the better), crush an entire bulb of garlic, and add both to a quart of water. Let it sit for three days. Strain. Pouring spray bottle, add a couple drops liquid dishsoap, and you’re done! You’ll have to spray about once a week to deter critters. I find it works well on flea beetles, and squash bug and cucumber beetles. If you want more specific suggestions, tell us what you’re trying to deter, and what plant is affected. That same chemical can be a good pesticide, actually. ————————————–… Another responder suggested vinegar …Vinegar is an herbicide. If you spray it on a plant, you may kill it.
