Environmentally friendly bug sprays are less toxic to humans and wildlife.
Gardeners have a variety of products available for dealing with problems and pests. These products may contain harsh chemicals that leach into soil and ultimately into nearby lakes and waterways. Identifying the pest will help you to choose the right pesticide for your problem. Environmentally safe bug sprays minimize this damage to the ecology, and still give flowers and vegetables the opportunity for healthy growth and high yields. Does this Spark an idea?
Insecticidal Soap Sprays
Diluted soap sprays can be effective against many types of soft-bodied insects, including aphids, young scales, spider mites, whiteflies and psyllids, according to Colorado State University entomologist W. S. Cranshaw. These soaps can cause injury to the cells of plants, however, such as injuries commonly seen on some varieties of tomato. Soap solutions under 3 percent are recommended.
Botanical Bug Sprays
Neem oil, made from the pressed seed of the neem tree, is a native plant of India and Southeast Asia. One of its properties is as an insecticide, and people have used it for hundreds of years to repel bugs. You can find neem oil insecticidal solutions in garden stores, or mix it yourself by diluting 1 ounce of neem oil in 1 gallon of water. Spray on all part of the plant, including the soil medium. Pyrethrum is another botanical made from a type of chrysanthemum flower, Tanacetum cinerariaefolium. It is effective against many types of insects and is safe for the environment when used as directed. Though no direct links with asthma have been substantiated, it should be used with care around susceptible individuals, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Homemade Bug Sprays
Gardeners can find many recipes for homemade bug sprays that are environmentally friendly and safe for use around humans and pets. Make your own insecticidal soap with 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid like Ivory or Palmolive in 1 quart of water, and spray on plants. You can also add a bit of peanut or safflower oil to help the spray stick to the foliage. Add a bit of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to make the foliage less palatable to insects.
Bug Sprays for Indoor Plants
Indoor environments provide good conditions for bug infestations on plants. The temperature is usually warm, the air is dry and the natural predators of these pests are not around. Insecticidal soaps are a good choice for pest problems on indoor plants. They are made from the potassium salt of a fatty acid and work by washing away the protective coating on soft-bodied insects, according to Iowa State University Extension Coordinator Linda Naeve. These products must come in direct contact with the bugs, however. Apply to all parts of the plant, including the undersides of leaves, every week for several weeks for full effect.
Bug Sprays for Outdoor Plants
The EPA has deemed the use of neem oil to be safe for the environment with no lasting effects. Pyrethrum is safe to use on outdoor plants when used as directed. It breaks down quickly in the environment, especially in sunlight.
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