Garlic and Basil Bug Spray

Garlic and basil

Are natural bug sprays effective against pests?

In my imagination, the air above the garden is a busy highway of bugs and pests. Above our hectic lives and calming gardens, they’re just cruising around on the lookout for something delicious to eat. Whether it be your favourite flowers or that very special vegetable that you have been waiting patiently for. It’s always annoying when you are planning how to eat that juicy veggie and just as you step outside to harvest it, some little fella with a full belly scuttles into the air without a care in the world, often leaving you frustrated with disbelief.

As I am not a fan of using chemicals, and strongly disagree with their production, I always look to nature’s own natural supermarket to see what I can find on the overabundant shelves of mother nature. Everything that we need has already been provided, it just takes that little bit more effort to find it.

My intention is never really to eradicate these cute but often annoying creatures. I prefer to just deter them from my precious garden, which by the way is far from glamorous. I just feel that it looks a lot better when it hasn’t been half-eaten. It wouldn’t be nice if I went to the store and a massive hand slapped me off the face of the planet with some chemical concoction that nobody really knows the contents of.

Over the years I have spent many costly ventures looking for something that helps with these minor problems which can escalate so quickly. The information on the internet is overwhelming and you find yourself sat at a computer reading through mountains of articles trying to sell you something you don’t need, while the bugs have a banquet in your flower bed.

How I make my simple bug spray.

You will need;

• A large bowl
• A spray bottle
• A sieve
• A pestle and mortar
• Garlic cloves
• Basil leaves>/li>
• And five minutes of your precious time.

Procedure

Garlic and basil

1. Take your pestle and mortar and pound the garlic and basil to release the aroma. A lumpy consistency is fine. (not quite a paste)
2. Fill your bowl with water
3. Add your garlic and basil
4. Cover and leave overnight to infuse
5. Use a sieve to separate the liquid
6. Fill your spray bottle and use it on the desired area.

*Remember, if you have heavy rain or leave it too long you will have to repeat this process as needed.

Other optional ingredients include;

• Chilli pepper
• soap
• mint