Some insects find vegetable gardens nearly as appetizing as do humans.
Organic growers and gardeners try to minimize their environmental impact by avoiding the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizer. For those who choose to grow organic vegetables, there are a number of different options for pest control. Does this Spark an idea?
Types
Vegetable gardeners can make their own sprays to ward off insect pests. Alternatively, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service maintains a database of options, including commercial products, for specific pest and insect problems.
Function
According to Mother Earth News, mixing a teaspoon of liquid detergent with a cup of vegetable oil and a quart of tap water will make a spray that can help cope with whitefly, spider mites and aphids on vegetables in your garden. The spray should be applied directly to the insect pests. Pyrethrin is a common organic insecticide derived from the pyrethrum plant and available from a number of different companies and gardening stores.
Features
Soapsuds works against aphids in vegetable gardens. Some gardeners mix garlic and onions and then strain the mixture to make a spray they can apply to control insect pests. According to Mother Earth News, spearmint spray concentrate blends a cup each of chopped spearmint and green onion tops, a half cup of red hot peppers mixed with water and a half cup of liquid detergent.
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