Food and Health Rethought

How to Make Non-Toxic Pest Repellents

One effective recipe for a repellent spray uses 10 cloves of garlic, 8 hot chili peppers (any variety), 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap, and 2 pints of water. Finely chop the cloves of garlic and hot chili peppers. Combine those with the water and allow the mixture to steep overnight. The next day, strain the mixture and add the oil and soap. Pour ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray the mixture on the leaves of healthy plants, and repeat once a week and after it rains. The strong smells will repel insects from coming near your plants.

 A simple slug repellent is lava rock. Simply place lava rock around the base of affected plants. The rough, abrasive surface will be avoided by slugs.

You can make a non-toxic repellent for rabbits and deer using one part egg, one part milk, one part dish soap, and 5 to 10 garlic cloves. Combine all and mix well in a blender. Keep the mixture in a closed container, preferably outdoors, for 24 to 48 hours, or until it begins to spoil. Then strain it and place the liquid in a spray bottle. Spray it around the perimeter of your garden and plants at least once a week. Rabbits and deer do not like the smell of eggs.

Another recipe for rabbit and deer repellent uses 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 2 tablespoons dish soap, and 10 tablespoons cooking oil. Combine the three and mix very well. Pour into a spray bottle and spray around the perimeter of any plants or shrubs you want to protect. Repeat as needed. The strong smell of cayenne pepper is a major turnoff for rabbits and deer.

Interesting ideas. Would like to try without the soap - if I had the patience. Would prefer to buy something like this pre-mixed, but it’s an interesting concept.