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Please note: United Kingdom and European Community law it is
illegal to use any preparation as a garden spray, or treatment, that is not approved for such use. This information is for historical reference only and its inclusion here does not imply a recommendation for use.
Elder Spray.
This kills aphids, small caterpillars and useful as a fungicide for mildew and
blackspot on roses . The toxic agent is hydro cyanic acid, so in water. Boil for half an hour, topping goal as necessary. Strain though old tights and use the cold on undiluted liquid straightaway. It will keep for up to three months if bottled tightly while still hot. Twigs of elder, cut in the spring turning and placed at intervals, inverted v-wise, over early turnip rows, are said to ward off attack by flee beetles.
Horsetail Tea
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is a pernicious weed which spreads by underground stems which may go down as deep as 10 ft, falling horizontal rhizome systems at intervals. This makes it particularly difficult to control. If you have a horse tail problem, there's a bright side to it because an infusion of the weed makes a good fungicide for control of mildew on strawberries and other crops, and checks rust on celery and
celeriac. Collect the horse tail, foliage stems, rhizome and all, and for each 28g (1 oz) pour on 1.1 litres (2 pt) of hot, but not boiling water, and allowed to stand for 24 hours. Strain of the 'tea' and use undiluted.
Nettle spray
Bio-dynamic gardeners and growers have a very high regard for the common stinging nettle, using the leaves of several kinds. As well as using nettles as an activator on the compost heap the organic gardener can use them as a liquid manure and as an aphicide.
Gather 224g (1/2 lb) of young nettles and soak them in a bucket for a week. Strain and use undiluted as a control of aphids on roses and celery leaf minor. Add the mushy nettles on to the compost heap.
Rhubarb spray
The oxalic acid in the rhubarb leaves is a safe control agent for aphids, particularly those on roses. Cut 450g(1 lb) rhubarb leaves, place in an old saucepan with 1.1 litres (2 pt) water and boil for half an hour, topping up as required. When cool, add soft soap
dissolved in 275 ml (1/2 pt) of warm water. This acts as a wetting agent when added to the strained rhubarb liquid. Stir the mixture thoroughly and use undiluted as a spray.
Seaweed spray
The value of seaweed as a liquid manure is well documented. Used as a foliar feed on a wide range plants, it also has a insecticidal and fungicidal effect possibly because the alginates make the surface of the foliage less attractive to pests and spores of fungi.
Soft soap
Traditional control for Aphids and Red Spider mite. Works on direct contact with the insect and persists for one day.
Insecticidal soap spray
Potassium -salt. Stronger then soft soap used as a pesticide for controlling Aphids, Whitefly, Red Spider Mites, Scale insects and mealy Bugs. Works on direct contact with the insect and persists for one day. Use insecticidal soap dissolved in 275 ml (1/2 pt) of warm water against aphids on many plants.
Nicotine
This is a non-persistent pesticide but it is highly poisonous and can be fatal if taken in its concentrated form. Best avoided.
Quassia
Harmless to ladybirds (bugs) and bees, it is very effective against Aphids, Caterpillars, leaf miners and sawfly.
Derris
Used as a pesticide for controlling etc. It is not selective so should only be used as a last resort. It is also harmful to fish so it should not be used by ponds.
Pyrethrum
This comes from the pyrethrum plant it is an effective pesticide against most
Insects, especially Aphids. It is not selective and can harm beneficial insects so should only be used as a last resort.
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