Homemade Organic Pesticides for Tomatoes

Farmscaping

• A traditional method used to break the life cycle of insects and allay disease is crop rotation and farmscaping. Farmscaping entails laying out fields with cover and flowering crops that attract beneficial insects that are natural enemies to crop pests. Most legumes, mint and buckwheat are plants that provide necessary refuge for beneficial insects. Sweet corn attracts tomato fruit worms, so planting strip corn crops nearby may help to lure them away from your tomatoes and mitigate the damage.

Insecticidal Soap

• Insecticidal soap dehydrates pests and is a simple and efficient means for dispelling aphids, spider mites, mealybugs and whitefly; it is also easy to make. All you need is one cup of vegetable oil and one tablespoon of perfume-free soap (such as Ivory Liquid); mix well (shaking is easiest). Add one tablespoon of this mixture to every cup of water you use to fill a spray bottle. Be sure to shake the bottle well before using to keep the soap and oil properly distributed.

Garlic & Pepper Spray

• Another effective deterrent for garden pests is a garlic and pepper spray. This spray needs to be made in advance by blending six cloves of garlic, one tablespoon dried hot pepper, one minced onion, one teaspoon of non-detergent soap, and one gallon hot water. Mix in a blender and let sit for two days. Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth into the spray bottle. This spray is effective against an array of insects such as caterpillars, hornworms, fruitworms, aphids and flea beetles.

Salt Spray

• An excellent solution for both worms and spider mites. Simply add two tablespoons of salt to one gallon of water. Pour into a spray bottle as needed.

Spearmint-Horseradish Spray

• Although a bit more complicated to make, this spray works well on a variety of common garden pests and is safe for most plants. Add 1/2 cup of hot red peppers, 1/2 cup horseradish root and leaves and 1/2 cup green onions (tops only). Top with just enough water to cover, blend well and strain the solution. Add two tablespoons of liquid detergent to the mixture, with 1/2 gallon water. When ready to use add 1/2 gallon of solution to an additional 1/2 gallon of water and pour into a spray bottle.