How to Make Pesticides for Indoor Plants

Inadequate maintenance of your indoor plants leads to weakened plant health and attracts pests that feed off the plant and live in the soil. Homemade pesticides are an alternative treatment for eliminating bugs in your houseplants without exposing the plants to harmful chemicals. As a non-toxic solution, homemade pesticides are generally safe to use around children and pets. Homemade solutions are recommended for a small infestation in your houseplants, whereas a heavy infestation requires disposing of the plant to eradicate pests from your home.

Things You'll Need

• Vegetable oil
• Dishwashing liquid soap
• Spray bottle

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Pour 1 cup of water into a spray bottle, and mix 1 cup of vegetable oil into the water.

   • 2

     Mix 1 tbsp. of dishwashing liquid soap to the spray bottle. Shake the solution to mix the ingredients.

   • 3

     Coat the houseplants with the homemade solution. Lift the underside of the plants to reach insects hiding between the plant's leaves.

   • 4

     Spray the homemade solution twice a week until all traces of the insects are eliminated from the plant.