Keep in mind that even organic insecticides are toxic. They will kill any bugs that they come in contact with--even the good ones. The best way to control insects is to pick them off the plants manually or spray them with water. If the infestation is severe and you want to use an organic insect spray, here are some of the least toxic:
Insecticidal Soap-This is usually a mixture of liquid soap, vegetable oil, baking soda, and water. You can buy it pre-mixed or make it yourself. There are plenty of recipes on the internet. I just didn’t think it did much good.
Hot Pepper Wax-This is made from Cayenne Pepper and breaks down the bodies of the insects and kills them. It’s supposed to taste mildly hot to humans and washes off easily. Warnings on the label include to wear goggles and not to get it on your skin. It is also harmful to fish so you can’t let it get near bodies of water.
Neem Oil-This is made from the Neem tree in India. It is supposed to act as both a fungicide and a pesticide. It disrupts the life cycle of the insects so that they eventually die. I bought this because it was so highly recommended on the internet. I was surprised by the warnings on the label--phrases like "if person is still breathing, bring them inside and call 911." That’s not what you would expect from an "organic" insect spray. Other warnings include "don’t get it in your eyes, on your skin, or dump it into bodies of water."
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