Homemade Houseplant Bug Killer
Aphids and other pests can quickly damage your houseplants, making them unattractive and unhealthy and eventually killing them. Chemical bug sprays are inappropriate for home use, since they can harm your family and pets. For a more organic solution, you can make a natural spray that utilizes garlic oil's pest-repellent properties. This spray is an ideal choice for houseplants, since it has fungicide properties and doesn't harm beneficial ladybugs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Spray bottle
- 3 oz. of fresh garlic cloves
- 2 tsp. mineral oil
- ¼ oz. liquid soap
- Cheesecloth
- 2 glass jars
Instructions
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1
Finely mince your garlic cloves.
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2
Combine your garlic in a jar with 2 tsp. of mineral oil, and allow the solution to sit for at least 24 hours.
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3
Mix 1 pint of water with ¼ oz. liquid soap.
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4
Slowly add the water and soap solution to your garlic and mineral oil.
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5
Place cheesecloth over your second glass jar, and strain your solution into it.
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6
Combine 1 to 2 tbsp. of this solution in a spray bottle with 1 pint of water. Store your remaining solution in the glass jar.
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7
Test the solution on a few leaves of your more delicate plants to make sure it won't harm them. If the leaves remain unharmed after two days, use the spray all over your plants.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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Comments
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some of my house plants and house trees are 20+ years old. They go outside in the summer and I trim and bath them before bringing them in for the winter. at times the soil hides or I didn't get all the leaves. Aphids come in with them. you don't see them right away but they can really harm your plants. if this happens use a teaspoon of dish soap in warm water put in spray bottle and spray tops and bottom of leaves. This kills them. also if you find a lady bug or two leave them alone they love aphids as we love steak. also take a piece of florescent yellow paper and smear Vaseline on it and lay it on top of the soil nearest to the base of the plant they are attracted to the color and get stuck and die. Remember your plants are living and breathing they give off oxygen at night treat them with love and tenderness and they will give you decades of joy for your care.
