How to Use Pepper Spray for Garden Pests

Pepper spray will keep raccoons away from your veggies.

Eartheasy.com informs its readers that most surface water contamination comes from pesticide use in single-family homes. But some pests---particularly soft-bodied insects---can be treated with the use of homemade pesticides, which are more earth-friendly and much less expensive than commercial pesticides. Capsaicin is the ingredient in hot peppers that gives them their heat, and is an effective killer of unwanted insects---while also deterring some small animal pests like raccoons, opossums and skunks.

Things You'll Need

• Chili peppers (or other hot peppers), fresh or dried
• Cayenne pepper
• Wormwood
• Liquid hand soap
• Water
• Spray bottle
• 6-quart pot
• Strainer or cheesecloth
• Blender or food processor

Instructions

Pepper Spray Recipes

1. Mix several hot peppers in one quart of water and let the mixture stand overnight. Strain the mixture in the morning and pour the liquid into a spray bottle.

2. Alternately, mix 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper with a few drops of liquid hand soap in one quart of water. Use liquid hand soap, not dish soap or any kind of detergent. Let the mixture stand overnight and stir it up in the morning. Pour into a spray bottle. Shake frequently during application.

3. You could also try putting 2 cups fresh or 1 cup of dry chili peppers in a blender and pouring in 2 cups of water. Blend until liquefied. Use this mixture immediately.

4. One last recipe is to pour 2 cups fresh or 1 cup of dry chili peppers and 1 cup of chopped wormwood (an herb) in a blender. Add 2 to 3 cups of water and blend until liquefied. Pour mixture into a pot, add 5 cups of water and bring to a boil. Turn off heat and let the mixture steep for one hour. Strain the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle.

Using Pepper Sprays

1. Spray only the plants that are affected by the pests. Pepper sprays are harmful to beneficial insects as well as pests.

2. Spray plants in the morning so they can dry in the heat of the day. Wet foliage leads to mildew problems in addition to the pests you already have.

3. Start at the top of the plant and work your way down. Most sprays have to come in contact with the insect in order to be effective. Cover all parts of the leaf, including the underside. Coating the underside is especially important if you are treating an aphid problem.

Tips & Warnings

• All of these mixtures will cause severe eye irritation. Wear gloves when applying and avoid contact with eyes.

• Wash all treated produce thoroughly before consumption.

References

• Capital District Community Gardens: Simple, Safe Sprays for Controlling Insect Pests
• Eartheasy: Natural Garden Pest Control
• Green Eco Path: Homemade Natural Garden Sprays That Keep Pests at Bay