How to make natural pesticide, fungicide and fertiliser (2024)

How to make natural pesticide, fungicide and fertiliser

If you want an even more hands-on role in your plant’s health, why not consider making your own pesticide and fungicide?

Before you start, make sure you know what the issue is. Take a look at our info on common plant illnesses and how to cure them - treating your plant for the wrong thing can do more harm than good. Feel free to get in touch with us if you aren’t sure.

Once you’re certain of your diagnosis you can think about treatment. Chemical pesticides and fungicides can contain lots of toxins; often reintroducing those that we’ve brought plants into our home to remove! Making a natural alternative can avoid bringing these chemicals into your home, plus it’s safer to keep around if you have pets or kids.

A good place to start is a mix of mild liquid soap and water, sprayed onto houseplants. One teaspoon of soap per litre of water will do the job. It sounds simple, but this formula will treat a lot of common houseplant pests. Add just a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and it becomes a great fungicide as well.

Others swear by chilli spray to repel insects (although it’s not known how well it treats existing infestations). Mix one teaspoon of chilli powder with a litre of water and add a few drops of mild soap and spray onto your plants.

We’ve also come across some recipes for homemade fertiliser in our time.

The fertilisers you buy can do the job perfectly well, but contain high levels of salt which can build up in the soil over time (you might see it in the surface of the soil, looking a bit like white mould) meaning your plant has to be repotted more frequently.. They also feed the plant itself, whereas a natural option feeds the microbes in the soil, which in turn feeds your plant.

A natural alternative can be made up of ingredients that will provide the Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium that your plants need to grow. There are lots of options out there, but a good place to start is a mix of Urea, Potash, Bone Meal and water.

How to make natural pesticide, fungicide and fertiliser (2024)

FAQs

How to make natural pesticide, fungicide and fertiliser? ›

Neem (Azadirachta indica)

The most effective insecticide comes from the seed, but the leaves can also be used. These extracts do not kill insects directly but effectively prevent their reproduction.

What is the most powerful natural insecticide? ›

Neem (Azadirachta indica)

The most effective insecticide comes from the seed, but the leaves can also be used. These extracts do not kill insects directly but effectively prevent their reproduction.

What is the recipe for natural fungicide? ›

A good place to start is a mix of mild liquid soap and water, sprayed onto houseplants. One teaspoon of soap per litre of water will do the job. It sounds simple, but this formula will treat a lot of common houseplant pests. Add just a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and it becomes a great fungicide as well.

How to make your own organic pesticide? ›

Oil Spray

Mix 1 cup of vegetable oil with 1 tablespoon of mild liquid soap. Add 2-8 teaspoons of this mixture to 1 quart of water and spray your plants as above. The oil in this spray smothers the insects, so it is effective on aphids, thrips, mites, and scale.

Can I mix fungicide insecticide and fertilizer? ›

Mixing the products together during the application process could cause issues such as: Chemical interactions: It's important to be aware that certain fertilizers and insecticides have the potential to chemically interact, which can result in decreased efficacy or unforeseen repercussions.

Can you use vinegar and Dawn as insecticide? ›

In fact, several products that attract fruit flies employ a vinegar attractant and a trap to help capture and control fruit flies. A container containing vinegar and dish soap can function as a trap since the vinegar lures flies to enter the trap and the dish soap will cause the flies to sink inside the trap and die.

What works better than neem oil? ›

Rosemary Oil is a Highly Effective Alternative to Neem Oil Spray with a Pleasant Smell. Visit almost any online plant lover's group and the most frequently asked question is, “How do I get rid of this bug that I found on my plant?” Most often, the answer offered by more experienced gardeners is neem oil.

What is the most potent natural fungicide? ›

In a study that examined the effectiveness of echinacea, goldenseal, and myrrh against Candida, researchers found that “echinacea demonstrated the greatest antifungal activity.”

What natural ingredient kills fungus? ›

Table 1
Natural ProductSourceTarget Fungi
rosemary extractRosmarinus officinalis L.C. tropicalis
tea tree oilMelaleuca alternifoliaC. albicans (44)
terpinen-4-olMelaleuca alternifoliaC. albicans (33)
grapefruit essential oilCitrus paradisiC. albicans (12)
62 more rows

Is apple cider vinegar a fungicide? ›

Apple cider vinegar: This one has multiple uses in the garden. First, you can dilute it with water and use as a fungicide to control black spot. It also helps slightly reduce the pH of our alkaline soil. Lowering the pH helps make iron more available to the plants.

What is the best DIY pesticide? ›

  • Vegetable Oil Spray.
  • Soap Spray.
  • Neem Oil Spray.
  • Diatomaceous Earth.
  • Garlic Spray.
  • Chile Pepper Spray.
  • All-in-One Homemade Spray.
  • Tomato Leaf Spray.

How do you make your own pest control spray? ›

the recipe is 8 cups water 1/4 cup tea tree castile soap (they recommend dr. woods brand) 1/4 cup peppermint castile soap (also dr woods) 1 tablespoon 1% peroxide 1 cup 70% alcohol you can halve or quarter the recipe mix into a sprayer.

Which fertilizer should not be mixed? ›

In order to prevent chemical interaction and corresponding precipitation between fertilizers, it's important to use the right combination of fertilizers. Neither phosphoric nor sulphatic fertilizers should be mixed with calcium or magnesium containing fertilizers in the same tank.

What happens if you use too much fungicide? ›

Can You Put Too Much Fungicide on Your Lawn? Yes, you can use too much fungicide on your lawn. Always refer to the product instructions on the amount of fungicide that should be used, as too much can burn your grass or kill good microbes, negatively affecting the soil quality.

How to treat lawn fungus and insects at the same time? ›

If you want to prevent lawn fungus and grub/insect infestations, we suggest applying Jonathan Green Lawn Fungus Control first, then applying Grub & Insect Control second, and water it in immediately.

What is the strongest pesticide for humans? ›

Paraquat is highly toxic to humans; one small accidental sip can be fatal and there is no antidote.

What can farmers use instead of pesticides? ›

Here are some methods for reducing pesticide use while still protecting produce from pests and diseases.
  • Crop rotation. Crop rotation is a method that involves crops being rotated every growing year. ...
  • Integrated pest management. ...
  • Biological control techniques. ...
  • Genetic modification. ...
  • Pest prevention instead of eradication.

Which insecticide is most effective? ›

What are The Best Insecticides for General Home Use?
  • Bifen IT (Best Overall Value) ...
  • Suspend SC (Great for Long Lasting Killing Power) ...
  • Taurus SC (Best for Outdoor Use Only) ...
  • Essentria IC3 (Best Natural/Safe Insecticide) ...
  • CimeXa (Best Insecticide Dust) ...
  • Baits (Best for Specific Insects)
Jan 24, 2023

What type of insecticide do professionals use? ›

Phenothrin and Pyrethrins – These ingredients target the nervous systems of insects, leading to paralysis and death. Pyrethrins are particularly effective against bed bugs due to their knockdown effect.

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