GETTING RID OF PESTS, THE ORGANIC WAY
When you see insects in your garden, take the time to really watch what they’re doing. Are they actually destroying the plant or just nibbling at it a bit? Many plants can outgrow minor damage. Also, in many cases, insects attack stressed out plants. Encourage the natural predators (beneficial insects/creatures such as the common ladybug, frogs, birds and lizards.
Horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps and garlic and/or hot pepper sprays also work well against many pests.
Soft-bodied insects (mites, aphids, mealy bugs): Mix one teaspoon
cooking oil and a few drops of dishwashing liquid into a litre of water. Shake
well and pour into a spray bottle. Spray plant from above down, and
from below up to get the underside of the leaves.
The oil smothers the insects.
Mites and other insects: Mix one tablespoons of hot pepper sauce
or cayenne pepper with a few drops of dishwashing liquid into a litre of water.
Let stand overnight, then stir and pour into a spray bottle and apply
as above. Shake container frequently during application.
Fungal diseases: Mix two teaspoons of baking soda into a litre of water. Pour into spray container and spray affected areas. Repeat this process every few days until the problem ceases.
Powdery Mildew: Mix equal parts milk and water and spray on infected plants. Three treatments a week apart should control the disease.
Insects and fungal diseases: Combine one teaspoon of cooking oil, two teaspoons of baking soda and a few drops of dishwashing liquid into a litre of water. Pour into a spray container and apply as above.
Insects on fruit trees: Lime sulphur can be sprayed of the trunk and branches of dormant fruit trees. This mixture will suffocate insect egg cases. Because the mixture is quiet heavy, a pump sprayer will be needed. Use this method only when the tree is dormant or it could kill the tree. A less toxic method is to make your own. Mix 1 cup vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid into 4 litres of water. Mix the soap and oil first then add the water. Shake often during use.