How to Make and Use Organic Pesticides from Tobacco
For those who have a small garden at home, pest attacks often interfere with plant growth.
One way to overcome this is to use pesticides. However, most of the pesticides sold in the market are chemical pesticides which can be harmful to children and pets.
Especially if you grow vegetables, the results of which you will consume. Chemical particles from pesticides can be eaten and will be dangerous if they accumulate in the body.
Also read: When Should You Use Pesticide Sprays? Here's the explanation
But actually there are organic pesticides that are easy to make at home and of course safe for plants but are hated by pests, namely by using tobacco.
Reporting from Hunker, Sunday (28/2/2021), the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum) contains nicotine. Pesticides made from tobacco leaves are toxic to some insects, especially soft-bodied creatures such as snails and aphids.
You can make it from tobacco with these easy steps:
Step 1
Steep 1 cup of dry tobacco in 1 gallon of water for at least half an hour. Longer soaking results in stronger pesticides.
Also read: Get Rid of Earthworm Pests with Toilet Tissue
Some gardeners let the tobacco mixture soak for a day. Stronger pesticides work faster, but are also more harmful to beneficial garden insects.
Step 2
Add a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to the tobacco solution. It acts as a surfactant to increase dispersibility and helps the solution adhere to plants. Soap is also mildly toxic to pests.
Step 3
Strain the liquid into a plastic storage container. Use a fine sieve to remove bits of tobacco.
Tighten the lid securely. Pesticides will last for several weeks if stored in a cool place such as a garage or basement.
Step 4
Transfer the mixture to a plant spray to use. Spray the affected plant parts thoroughly, but target the pests themselves. Spray the infested shoots. Tobacco spray is natural but still harmful to beneficial insects such as ladybugs. You can also spray on leaves that are not problematic as a precaution. Step 5 Spray pesticides only on plants that do not belong to the tobacco family, Solanaceae. Avoid tobacco-related plants, including tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum), potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and bell peppers.