Homemade Bug Spray for Flowers

Fels-Naptha soap

• A Fels-Naptha non-toxic soap spray kills soft-bodied insects such as aphids and sugar ants. To make a concentrate spray, shave a 1-inch piece from a bar of Fels-Naptha into 1 quart of heated water. Stir until the soap dissolves, pour into a Mason-type jar and label it. Get a 1-quart jar, fill with water and stir in one teaspoon of the soap concentrate. To make this solution even stronger, add 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol. Pour this solution into a spray bottle. Label all of these solutions. If you use the alcohol solution, make sure to place it up high out of the reach of small children. You can usually find Fels-Naptha soap at your grocery store. If they don't carry it, check with your local home and garden center.

Garlic Spray

• Crush one clove of garlic and place in water. Let it sit for at least one hour. Strain the water into a spray bottle and spray directly on the bugs. If this doesn't work the first time, use more garlic. Cayenne pepper add to the garlic water makes it even more unpleasant for the bugs. Or skip the trial and error; make a strong solution of garlic and cayenne pepper from the start.

Spray for Marigolds

• Make a spray for marigolds to get rid of flower-eating bugs. Bring 5 pints of water to a boil and remove from heat. Allow this to cool, then add three drops of liquid soap. Strain the solution into a spray bottle, and spray the entire plant, being sure to spray underneath the leaves, also.

Sweet Potato Water

• This spray works effectively on aphids, ants and all small insects. Boil some sweet potatoes and strain the solution into a spray bottle. Spray the plant. If you grow sweet potatoes in your garden, soak some of the leaves in water and use the water as a spray.