How to Make Homemade Spray to Kill Worms in the Garden

A simple spray bottle helps distribute pest spray onto plants.

While earthworms are beneficial to gardens, there are several varieties of malicious worms that can actually harm your plants. Bug infestations will ruin an otherwise healthy garden, and can be hard to get rid of. But before purchasing expensive and potentially harmful chemical pesticides try an all natural solution. Not only is it more eco-friendly, all the necessary ingredients might be found in your very own kitchen cupboard.

Things You'll Need

• Spray bottle
• 1/4 cup cayenne pepper
• Lemon oil
• Liquid dish detergent

Instructions

1. Bring 2 1/2 cups water to a rapid boil in a stainless steel pot.

2. Remove boiling water from heat and stir in 1/4 cup cayenne. Stir until completely dissolved, creating a 'cayenne pepper tea'.

3. Wait for the cayenne mixture to cool to room temperature and add 1/2 cup liquid dish detergent. Stir slowly until well-mixed. Avoid vigorous sirring as this can cause the dish detergent to foam.

4. Pour liquid into a large spray bottle and add a few drops natural lemon oil. Screw lid on tightly and shake until bubbles form. Coat affected plants immediately with the solution, re-applying every three to four days until the infestation is gone.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't skimp on the cayenne; a small amount helps kill unwanted bugs, and the stong scent wards away rabbits and other plant-chewing pests.

References

• Reader's Digest, 1996, 1001 Hints and Tips for your Garden