For These Insects Go To This Treatment

Aphids, root flies & cabbage butterflies: Clover Underplanting

Aphids, carrot root fly, cucumber beetles, midges, peach tree borers 
& root maggots: Elder Leaf Insecticide; 

Elder Leaf Insecticide: 
Target insects:Aphids, carrot root fly, cucumber beetles, peach tree 
borers, and root maggots. It is particularly effective against 
midges. Elder leaves also have fungicidal properties and may be 
useful against mildew and blackspot diseases.

To make: simmer 8 ounces of leaves in 16 ounces of water for 30 
minutes. Stir this thoroughly, then strain. Take 16 ounces of warm 
water and mix with 1 tablespoon of castille soap. Add soap mixture to 
the elder water, spray as needed. Note: Set your sprayer to a coarse 
or large droplet setting as this mixture will tend to plug a fine 
setting.

Aphids, cabbage loopers, grasshoppers, June bugs, leafhoppers, mites, 
squash bugs, slugs & whiteflies: Garlic Spray;

Garlic Spray
Target insects: Aphids, cabbage loopers, grasshoppers, June bugs, 
leafhoppers, mites, squash bugs, slugs and whiteflies. May also help 
to repel rabbits! Never use oils sprays on Blue Spruce as it will 
remove the blue waxy coating on the needles! Because garlic contains 
naturally occurring sulfur it also acts as an antibacterial agent and 
fungus preventative. Aphids, cabbage loopers, grasshoppers, June 
bugs, leafhoppers, mites, squash bugs, slugs and whiteflies. May also 
help to repel rabbits! Never use oils sprays on Blue Spruce as it 
will remove the blue waxy coating on the needles! Because garlic 
contains naturally occurring sulfur it also acts as an antibacterial 
agent and fungus preventative. 


All purpose: Great Fleabane Treatment; 
Great Fleabane: (Inula conyza) the leaves and roots of this plant 
make a strong general insecticide. It is also a nice addition to the 
perennial flower bed.

To make: Take one cup of leaves and or roots. Bring 4 cups of water 
to a boil and pour over the fleabane, put a lid on this and let it 
steep for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture, let cool. Mix in a 1/4 
teaspoon of pure soap such as castille, spray. 

Aphids, blister beetles, caterpillars, Colorado beetles, whiteflies, 
soft-bodied insects & maybe even slugs: Horseradish Pesticide;

Horseradish Pesticide
Target insects: Aphids, blister beetles, caterpillars, Colorado 
beetles, whiteflies and soft-bodied insects. Maybe even slugs.

To make: Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil, add 2 cups of cayenne 
peppers, a 1 inch piece of chopped horseradish root, and 2 cups of 
packed scented geranium leaves, any kind. Let mixture steep for 1 
hour, cool, strain and spray. Note: this can be made without the 
scented geranium leaves if you don't have them to spare.

NOTE:Penn State University announced in 1995 that minced horseradish 
holds promise in decontaminating wastewater and now says it may clean 
contaminated soils as well!

Penn State's center for Bioremediation and Detoxification reports 
that minced horseradish combined with hydrogen peroxide can 
completely remove chlorinated phenols and other contaminants found in 
industrial wastes. Experiments involve applying the mixture directly 
to tainted soils or growing horseradish in contaminated soil and 
rototilling the roots just before applying hydrogen peroxide!
The cleansing properties of horseradish have been known for more than 
a decade, however creating a purified form has been far too 
expensive. This method has proved to be just as effective, but at a 
fraction of the cost!

Cucumber beetles, mites & all purpose: Lime Spray

Lime Spray
Target insects: Cucumber beetles, mites and general purpose.

To make: Mix 1 ounce of hydrated lime, 32 ounces of water and 1 
teaspoon of castille soap. Use up to twice a week. 
****
Repels asparagus beetles, tomato hornworms, leaf cutting & chewing 
insects: Marigold Spray;

Marigold Spray (use pot marigold: Calendula officinalis)
Target insects: Repels asparagus beetles, tomato hornworms, leaf 
cutting and chewing insects, like leaf cutting bees on your roses and 
lilacs.

To make: Mash 1 cup of marigold leaves and flowers. Mix with 1 pint 
of water. Let soak for 24 hours. Strain through cheesecloth. Dilute 
further with 1 1/2 quarts of water then add 1/4 teaspoon of castille 
soap. Spray target areas.
****
Aphids, fungus gnats, mealy bugs & as an ant repellant: Orange Peel 
Spray;

Orange Peel Spray
Oranges and other citrus fruit contain natural ocurring pesticide 
compounds called limonene and linalool. These compounds can be used 
as a treatment for soft bodied pests such as aphids, fungus gnats, 
mealy bugs and as an ant repellant.

To Make: Pour 2 cups of boiling water over peelings of one orange. 
Let this steep for about 24 hours. Strain the mixture into a glass 
jar and toss the peels into the compost. Use this liquid as a spray 
mixing in a few drops of castille soap on target insects or on ants 
and their nests. Smells nice too!
****
All purpose: Pepper and Herb Dusts

Pepper and Herb Dusts
Target Insects: General

Peppers and certain herbs contain the compound "capasaicin" which 
will irritate and repel many insects. Cayenne, chili, dill, paprika, 
red and black peppers can be used as dusts. Purchase the cheapest you 
can find, or grow hot peppers and dill in your garden. Dry them and 
pulverize them in a food processor. Sprinkle on moist plant foliage 
and the surrounding soil. 

Pepper Spray
Target insects: All-purpose

Just like the pepper dusts a spray made from hot peppers will release 
the capasaicin compound to repel insects.

To make:Mix 1/2 cup of finely chopped or ground hot peppers with 1 
pint of water. Let this sit for 24 hours. Use as is for a soil drench 
application or strain the mixture through cheesecloth until you have 
a clear liquid. Add a few drops of castille soap and use as a foliar 
application. Keep away from your eyes and skin when using. 
****
Bad nematodes: Sugar Drench
Sugar Drench
Target insects: Bad nematodes. Sugar also adds trace minerals to the 
soil.

Mix 1/2 a cup of sugar with 1 gallon of water. Stir to dissolve 
sugar. Pour on the soil around plant roots where you have had 
nematode problems or use as a treatment prior to planting.
****
Repels asparagus beetles & flea beetles, will kill earworms & 
maggots, acts as an antifeedent for other insects: Tomato or Potato 
Leaf Spray

Tomato or Potato Leaf Spray
Target insects: Repels asparagus beetles and flea beetles.This will 
kill earworms and maggots and acts as an antifeedent for other 
insects.

Plants belonging to the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes etc.) 
have large amounts of compounds called "alkaloids" in their leaves. 
These compounds are water soluble and can be extracted by soaking 
chopped leaves then using as a spray. The toxicity of the alkaloids 
may account for only part of their effectiveness. The sprays may also 
attract beneficial insects that follow the chemicals in these plants 
as a cue in searching for their prey.

To make: Soak 2 cups of chopped tomato leaves in 1 pint of water 
overnight. Strain this mixture then add another pint of water and 1/4 
teaspoon of castille soap a sticker. Spray foliage and soil as 
needed. 
****

Aphids, caterpillars, crawling insects & slugs, may repel snakes:
Wormwood Spray

Wormwood Spray
Target insects: Aphids, caterpillars, crawling insects and slugs. May 
repel snakes.

Caution is advised when using wormwood sprays around plants as it can 
inhibit growth. Best results are obtained when spraying directly onto 
the target insect when possible

Companion Planting: Wormwood or Artemisia

History & Use:
Artemisia has a colorful and rather dubious history: Artemisia was 
the wife and sister (yes, that is correct) of the Greek/Persian King 
Mausolous from which we get the word mausoleum. The genus artemisia 
was named after her and includes over 400 plants. Artemisia was a 
botanist and medical researcher. 

Many of the artemisia varieties have insecticidal properties with 
wormwood being the most potent. Roman wormwood is less toxic and is 
used to flavor the drinks Vermouth and Campari. A sachet made of 
wormwood leaves will keep moths at bay. Did you know that the 
delectable herb tarragon is of the artemisia genus?

Wormwood, Artemisia Absinthium has been used for centuries as a moth 
repellant, general pesticide and as a tea/spray to repel slugs and 
snails. Before its' toxicity was known it was used as the name 
implies: a worming medicine for people and animals. Historic 
references to wormwood go back as far as 1600 B.C. in Egypt. Wormwood 
leaves contain absinthin a substance which can be toxic to other 
plants. You may have heard of the alcoholic drink "absinthe" a green 
colored beverage that is now illegal in most countries. And 
rightfully so as it has been said that the painter Vincent van Gogh 
was imbibing of absinthe when he lopped off his ear to send to a 
woman. The absinthin being water soluble will wash off the leaves and 
leach into the soil interfering and stunting the growth of plants in 
close proximity to the wormwood. Because of this do not use wormwood 
tea as a spray on small plants or seedlings, only on more established 
plants. in using wormwood tea as an insect spray, use it with caution 
until you see how it works for you. For best results spray directly 
on the target insects or use dried wormwood cuttings spread on the 
soil in the garden. Wormwoods are toxic so must not be ingested.

To Make Wormwood Tea:
8 ounces wormwood leaves
4 pints of water
1 teaspoon castille soap

Effective against: Aphids, caterpillars, flea beetles and moths. 
Putting dried sprigs of wormwood in the garden along side carrots 
and onions will mask their scent, confusing insects in particular the 
carrot rust fly. The dried wormwood will not have the growth 
inhibiting effects of the fresh herb. 

Simmer wormwood leaves in the water for 30 minutes. Stir, strain, and 
leave to cool. Add the castille soap to wormwood mixture and use to 
spray. 

Plant Culture:
Hardy to zone 4 and some to zone 3. Capable of growing in poor 
soil with full sun to part shade. Pruning is done in fall with the 
exception of southernwood which is cut back in spring or summer. They 
require full sun and dry well drained soil. Some species will go 
dormant in the summer heat and sprout again when cooler temperatures 
return. This is most prevalent with the silver mound varieties. Don't 
plant wormwoods near anise, beans, caraway, fennel, peas and sage.

Harvesting:
To harvest for future use in insect teas, dried arrangements or 
sachets you will pick the upper portions of the stalks when they are 
in full flower and there is no moisture on the plant. Generally 
flowering occurs after July. Be sure to pick any damaged leaves off 
your stalks. Tie the stem ends together in bundles. Hang them upside 
down in a shady spot. Let them air dry like this for a few days. We 
then put them into glass containers with tightly screwed down lids. 
Store in a dark place.
****

Aphids, mealybugs & other soft-bodied insects: Yarrow Tea

Yarrow Tea
Target insects: Aphids and soft-bodied insects. Also an excellent 
plant tonic!

Yarrow has insecticidal properties and is also an excellent natural 
fertilizer. Try mixing this with strong coffee to make a more 
powerful brew. Caffeine makes the insects hyper and confused. 

To make:
Soak 1 cup of yarrow plant pieces in 16 ounces of water for 
24 hours or more. Brew it in the sun like tea. Strain and mix with 1 
gallon of water. Mix in strongly brewed coffee and 1/4 teaspoon 
castille soap. Spray on aphids and other soft bodied pests every 1-2 
weeks. Or use as a preventative. 
http://www.ghorganics.com/page14.html#Yarrow%20Tea.

