How to Make Hot Pepper Garlic Spray for Garden Pest Control

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Are your plants struggling to survive due to pests and animals? One of the best ways to protect your garden is by using a hot pepper and garlic spray. This solution is easy to make, and it’s all-natural, making it a great alternative to synthetic pesticides.

In this article, we will walk you through the process of making a hot pepper and garlic spray to deter pests from your garden.

Making the Hot Pepper and Garlic Spray

Making hot pepper and garlic spray is a simple process that requires only a few ingredients and tools. You will have to heat the liquid in this recipe for a short time so be sure to crack open a few windows, or better yet, do it outside.

Tools You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity and adaptability. The tools required – a pot, a stove or heat source, and a blender or mortar and pestle – are quite basic and can be easily modified depending on your resources.

For instance, if you have access to electricity, a blender will do the job swiftly; if not, a simple mortar and pestle will suffice.

Here is a list of the tools you’ll need for this recipe:

Using gloves is not necessary for everyone but its recommended to avoid getting the mixture on your hands, eyes, and mouth if you’re not experienced. Straining the mixture afterward helps filter out any remaining chunks from the peppers and garlic.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The type of pepper used in this recipe is flexible and can be what is readily available in your area. Whether it’s a jalapeño, habanero, or even a ghost pepper, the objective is to harness the pepper’s spiciness to craft a potent, pest-deterring concoction.

Here is a list of ingredients to make a recipe that will produce 2 cups of garlic/pepper spray:

• 3-5 garlic cloves
• 3-5 hot peppers (Jalapeño, Serrano, or Cayenne work best)
• 2 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon of liquid soap

The beauty of this recipe is that you can easily adjust the quantities based on your needs. For a larger batch, just double all of the ingredients. If you only need a small amount, you can halve the recipe instead.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Hot Pepper and Garlic Spray

1. Blend or Crush Your Ingredients

Take off any stems off the peppers and separate the outer husk from garlic cloves and crush them with a knife. Then, add your garlic and peppers to the blender or mortar and pestle. Blend or crush them until you have a consistent paste.

• Mix with Water and Soap: Transfer your paste to a pot, and add 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of liquid soap. Stir the mixture until well combined.

2. Heat the Mixture

Heat the mixture on the stove or other heat source for about 15-20 minutes. The heat helps to extract the oils from the garlic and peppers, increasing the potency of your spray. Take it off the heat and let it sit for up to 24 hours to steep.

3. Strain the Mixture

After the mixture has steeped long enough, strain it through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any remaining solids.

4. Transfer to Spray Bottle: Pour the filtered mixture into a fine mist spray bottle. Use a funnel to avoid spilling any.

The best spray bottle for using this homemade garlic and pepper solution should be sturdy and resistant to corrosion. It should also have an adjustable nozzle that allows a fine mist for the even distribution of the spray on your plants.

Spray bottles made from high-density polyethylene plastic are typically highly resistant to corrosion. HDPE bottles are often marked with the number ‘2’ inside a recycling symbol. Check the product description to see if it specifies whether it is resistant to harsh substances.

Allowing the pepper and garlic spray to steep longer will significantly enhance its potency, as the extended steeping period allows for more oil extraction from the ingredients. However, be cautious as this increased potency could also elevate the risk of skin and eye irritation if mishandled.

Applying the Hot Pepper and Garlic Spray to Your Plants

To begin with, the best times to spray are early morning or late evening. These periods are when pests are most active and therefore, you are more likely to deter them.

When applying, ensure to spray both the tops and undersides of the leaves, as pests often lurk in these hidden spots. A light mist is sufficient; there’s no need for soaking. Repeat the application every few days or after heavy rain for the best results.

This organic deterrent is most effective against common North American pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. It may not eliminate an infestation, but it can significantly reduce their numbers and discourage further growth.

Beyond the realm of insects, this hot pepper and garlic spray is also an effective deterrent against a variety of wildlife that may be causing havoc in your garden. This includes creatures such as rabbits, deer, and squirrels, which are often repelled by the potent scent of garlic and the spiciness of the pepper.

Additionally, the mixture can discourage smaller pests like slugs and snails, which are sensitive to spicy substances. However, as with any repellent, efficacy can vary based on the specific wildlife in your area and their sensitivities.

A good tip is to observe the response of the wildlife to gauge the effectiveness of your spray and adjust the potency if necessary.

How Hot Pepper and Garlic Spray Protects Your Plants

Hot pepper and garlic spray are effective in protecting your plants from pests and animals because it creates a potent infusion that repels them. Capsaicin is the chemical compound found in chili peppers that gives them their distinctive heat and the garlic has a strong odor that also repels them.

The inclusion of dish soap in the hot pepper and garlic spray serves two primary purposes. Firstly, it helps the spray adhere to the plants, ensuring that the repellant remains effective for a longer duration. Secondly, it works as a surfactant, breaking down the insect’s protective coatings and making them more susceptible to the potent ingredients of the spray.

The combination of the pepper’s capsaicin and garlic creates an intense scent and flavor that makes it difficult for most animals and insects to tolerate. The spray also has the added benefit of being organic, with no chemical or synthetic ingredients added.

While hot pepper and garlic spray can deter pests and wildlife due to its potent aroma and taste, it does not cause permanent harm to them. Being an organic solution, it poses significantly less threat to the environment and the overall ecosystem when compared to synthetic chemicals frequently used in pest control.

Synthetic pesticides not only kill pests, but they also kill beneficial insects such as honeybees and ladybugs. Additionally, many synthetic pesticides can accumulate in the soil and water over time, causing harm to the ecosystem.

What to Do If You Accidentally Get the Spray in Your Eyes

If you accidentally get the hot pepper and garlic spray in your eyes, it can cause a burning sensation due to the capsaicin in the peppers and the strong compounds in garlic. Don’t panic, and follow these immediate measures:

• Do Not Rub Your Eyes: The natural reaction may be to rub your eyes, but this can worsen the irritation by spreading the capsaicin around.
• Wash Your Eyes with Cool Water: Immediately rinse your eyes with cool, not cold, water. Keep your eyes open when washing to help remove the spray.
• Use a Saline Rinse: A saline rinse can help to cleanse the eyes and alleviate some of the burning sensation.
• Remove Contacts if Necessary: If you wear contacts, remove them carefully as soon as possible to avoid further irritation.
• Seek Medical Help if Needed: If the irritation persists or if your vision is affected, seek medical help immediately.

Remember, prevention is always better than cure. If you have a skin sensitivity or dont want a garlic smell on your hands, cover your skin to avoid accidental contact.

Conclusion

By making hot pepper and garlic spray, you can protect your plants without harming the environment. It only takes a few ingredients and tools, and it’s a great way to try something new. If the spray doesn’t work at first, try out different peppers to see if one potency works better over another.