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Bordeaux Mixture;
This is the copper spray used to prevent fungal disease of fruit trees and also blight in potatoes. It must be used fresh.
- Dissolve 100 gm of copper sulphate (bluestone) in 5 Ltr of water overnight.
- Mix 140 gm of slaked lime in 5 Ltrs of water
- add to the copper sulphate solution.
- Stir vigorously and use straight away.
- Agitate during use.
Bracken
Useful aphis killer. Toxic to most insects.
- Steep 25 gm dried bracken fronds in 1 Ltr of water for 24 hours.
- Strain and use 1 ml per litre.
Bug Juice
In the October 1976 the Rodale Organic Gardening and Farming magazine reported the use of 'bug juice' by a commercial farmer. He reported a cost saving of $5,000 per annum on his chemical bills and that after three years no further applications were required.
- 1 kg of insects will treat 30 Ha.
- Liquefy the bugs (slugs, caterpillars etc.) in a blender with
- about 1/3 the volume of water.
- Strain and use 4-5 ml per 100 Ltr water.
Fermenting slugs after killing them with dry sugar also works. The dehydrated slugs are put in a container of water in a warm place for a few days, strained, diluted and sprinkled around the garden.
Various theories abound as to why this works: natural pathogens, attraction of predators, confusion of insect communication systems (they rely a lot on pheremones which are detected by smell).
Chamomile
This medicinal herb is used to control fungal diseases, especially mildews.
Use the generic recipe under Herbs.
Coriander
A 2% emulsion of Oil of Coriander is an effective control for red spider mites. To make an emulsion, use a little soft soap (potassium soap, 'Clensel', 'Safers' etc) in the water.
Dipel
This is the brand name of . In some places it is also available as 'Thuricide'. It is the dehydrated bacterium mixed with a little of the toxin (a stomach poison) that you are purchasing, plus a filler if it is a home gardeners pack. It is specific to caterpillars and completely harmless to other living things. It is expensive and can be made to go further quite cheaply. Mix a little of the powder in lukewarm milk and allow to stand for 24 hours. The bacteria multiply and a little of the mixture can be used to start a new batch. The effectiveness will probably decline over time, necessitating the start of a new batch from the pure culture.
Remember that Dipel, being a living organism, prefers cool, moist conditions in the garden to work best.
Derris (Rotenone)
This is a longer lasting insecticide than most organic sprays. It lasts for 48 hours rather than 24. It kills fish as well as most insects (including predators), so use it with care.
- 25 gm derris powder
- 50 gm potassium soap
- 10 l water
- Dissolve soap in half of the water and derris in the other half.
- Combine the two solutions and use.
Garlic
This is used as an insecticide and fungal control.
- 100 gm minced garlic
- 10 ml mineral oil
- 500 ml water
- 50 ml soft soap
- Soak the garlic in the mineral oil for 2 days.
- Add the water and soap.
- Strain and store in a glass container.
Use a 1% solution (1 part concentrate to 99 parts water).
Herbal Sprays
Many herbs can be used as insecticides and insect repellants. The formula to use is;
- cover the fresh herbs with boiling water
- steep for 30 minutes
- strain and dilute with an equal quantity of water.
Wormwood, southernwood, tansy, chamomile, rhubarb leaves, ragwort, potato leaves and lantana are all worth trying.
Milk
Mosaic virus disease can be controlled with milk.
Smokers should dip their fingers in milk before handling tomatoes and cucumbers.
Use equal parts of whole milk and water as a spray.
Rat Poison
A very effective rat poison, until the rats learn to exercise caution, which they invariably do, is as follows:
- 1 part cement
- 1 part flour
- a few jelly crystals
The cement sets in their stomachs preventing further feeding.
Another reputed sure-fire rat killer is Coca Cola. The rats bloat and die.
Slug and Snail Baits
The green slug baits contain metaldehyde. This material breaks down to water and carbon dioxide, but until it does, is very toxic and attractive to dogs, cats and birds. The ingredients are bran and metaldehyde, so they fall to pieces quite readily in the rain. A more effective formula is:
- 1 part metaldehyde
- 1 part limil
- 1 part cement
- 3 parts bran
This mixture lasts for a very long time indeed. Put the baits underneath boards, rocks etc. where the slugs hide at night.
Soap
Soap solution is an effective aphid killer. The best to use is potassium soap, also known as soft soap. Being a liquid, it is easier to dissolve. Two commonly available brands from most nurseries are 'Clensel' and 'Safers'. Use 100 ml per 2.5 l of water.
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