Helpful Information about Natural Insecticides

Did you know hot sauce mixed with garlic and water can chase away those annoying caterpillars who have been feeding on your precious plants?  You may appreciate butterflies, but not their babies.  So, maybe you just want them to relocate to another area.  Many natural insecticides are used as repellents rather than as a way to kill insects.  Spider mites hate the mixture of hydrated lime (1/4 c.) and water (add a small drop of soap to help it stick).  Be careful not to use too much or the lime could hurt your plants.

Tomato leaves mixed with water can repel insects.  Soaps are used in several different types of mixtures.  But soaps are washed away with rain or automatic sprinklers.  If you choose to use nicotine, be aware that it can be deadly as a concentrate to more than just those pesky aphids.  It's not only dangerous as harmful cigarette smoke, but it can be beneficial if used properly on plants.  For us, the concentrates can cause convulsions and death.  So, don't let that toddler grab your supply by accident.  It's usually mixed with sulphur and is not recommended for use on edible plants.

Horticulture oils suffocate insects by covering them with an oily film.  If that sounds barbaric, just think of the damage that can be done to crops and gardens and even humans by an overpopulation of insect pests.  Insect pests can spread diseases and famine.  Homemade sprays can be a great economical alternative to bought sprays.  You must know how to adequately measure, store, and use them even if they are homemade and seemingly harmless.

Of course, you can try tricks to rid your problem areas of insects.  Like the ants that want to crawl into your hummingbird water.  Maybe it doesn't bother the birds, but if it bothers you, you could be imaginative and not have to use any pesticide that may endanger your tiny visiting birds.  But tricks aren't always enough.  Sometimes you need to use more than one method to keep insect populations under control.

While you don't have to be scared of insects, you do have to be sensible to keep from becoming overrun with them.  You should also be a responsible parent and teach your children how to safely combat insects.  What your children learn can benefit the next generation.  It helps to encourage their interests while they are young and willing to absorb what their parents have to say.  Even if they seem to totally ignore all you've taught them as teenagers, they will many times come back to their senses as they grow older.  One day, they'll be sharing their insecticide information with their own children or grandchildren. 

Teaching about the safe use of insecticides and natural insecticides is the gift that keeps on giving.  Your child may want to use this information to obtain a career later in life that revolves around insects, gardening, farming, or science.  Nature will thank you for your contribution by continuing to thrive because of your responsible actions.

 Is Natural Insecticide harmful to Humans and Animals?

You would expect a natural insecticide to be perfectly safe for people and pets.  The truth is that some cause irritations or burns or are even toxic to humans and animals.  If you are going to use a natural insecticide, you should be aware of whether it causes problems beyond the pest.  Rotenone is a natural insecticide.  It is made from derris plant roots.  While it is fairly safe for people, it does harm fish.  If you use it, you should take precautions to keep it away from water where you have fish.  Rotenone is somewhat toxic to warm-blooded animals.  It is even somewhat toxic to humans.  You should therefore protect yourself during application of the natural insecticide.  The good news is that it doesn't affect the safety of vegetables grown using it. 

A natural insecticide that causes eye and respiratory irritations is Sabadillia.  Although it causes discomfort, it is not toxic.  However, you should take care not to breathe it in when using it.  A mask should be worn.  Dried peppers can be ground and mixed with water to make a spray.  This is used as a natural insecticide.  However, it too can cause eye and respiratory irritation.  The crucial time to be concerned is when you are grinding the peppers. 

Termite control products that contain nicotine sulphates are actually more toxic to mammals than synthetic products are.  These natural insecticides should be used with caution by an experienced exterminator.  Some people use nicotine either in a commercially made product or they make it on their own from tobacco leaves.  They use this natural insecticide for many different insects.  The trouble is that it is toxic to people.  You can't breathe the vapours.  You'll want to avoid letting it touch your skin. 

On the other hand, many a natural insecticide is completely harmless to people and pets.  Boric acid is so safe that it can be used in areas where children play.  It is toxic only to insects.  Diatomaceous Earth is a very popular natural insecticide that is safe for all mammals, including people.  Bacillus thurengiensis, Bt, is safe for use on plants as well.  It does not harm humans or animals. 

Orange, lime, and grapefruit oils are being developed as products to be used as natural insecticides in Third World countries.  They are very good at killing many different insects.  At the same time, they are completely non-toxic to humans.  The natural insecticide from the Neem tree is not just non-toxic.  It has actually been used as an antiseptic.  It has also been used by herbalists to treat many diseases.  It has been used for over forty years. 

If you use a natural insecticide that contains harmful ingredients, you need to be sure to use it properly.  If it is a commercial preparation, follow instructions on the label and use in recommended amounts.  It is also important to be aware of how long you need to wait between use of the product and harvesting the crop.
 
Some kinds of natural insecticide are harmful to people and/or pets.  Some are not.  The key is to know which natural insecticide you are dealing with.  Then, be sure you know everything about it.