Garlic Juice Pesticide Recipe

Garlic

• The garlic plant is a variety of the onion (Allium) family. It is a root vegetable that grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. The plant is started by planting a clove into the soil, usually in late fall or early winter. After six to nine months, what are known as garlic scapes will shoot out from the soil. The bulb of garlic cloves themselves grow under the soil. Both the cloves and the scapes of garlic plants are often used for culinary purposes because of their strong smell and flavor.

Garlic Pesticide Properties

• Because garlic has both a strong smell and flavor, it can help keep pests out of your garden. Certain types of harmful insects such as beetles, ticks, aphids and mosquitoes are put off by the smell of garlic and will usually stay away when sense the aroma. Larger garden pests such as moles or rabbits can also be deterred by garlic, specifically the taste of it.

Garlic Juice Pesticide Recipes

• There are a few different methods of making homemade garlic juice pesticide. The soaking method will give the maximum pesticide potency. The first thing to do is to get an empty spray bottle and place six crushed garlic cloves in the bottom. Then, fill the spray bottle with water and allow the mixture to soak overnight before using. Spray the problem areas early in the morning before the sun hits your plants. This should be done twice weekly until the problem subsides. If you don't have time to soak the garlic, blend the cloves with water in a high-speed blender and pour the entire mixture into a spray bottle. Another recipe for pesticide control using garlic also uses onion. The recipe calls for one chopped onion, five garlic scapes and water. Place all of the ingredients into a 1-gallon jug and fill it with water. Close the jug and allow it to soak for five to seven days. Pour a small amount at the base of each plant that has an insect problem.

Other Considerations

• Garlic also has antiseptic qualities which can help treat plants with diseases or fungus. Using garlic as a companion plant, a method of planting that promotes maximum growth and pest control, can help keep unwanted pests away from specific plants. To keep rodents away, such as moles and rabbits, simply place a few garlic cloves in their paths to deter them.