Organic gardening without chemicals means you naturally will have to share some of your produce with bugs. To prevent or stop garden pests from taking all of your harvest you may need to use some natural homemade pesticides to prevent a total onslaught. Here are 3 Do it yourself recipes to get started.

1.Aphids and Spider mites

2 tbsp. Natural soap

1 gallon water

2 tablespoons of sea salt

Place all ingredients in room temperature water and shake for about a minute. Spray the mixture under and on top of leaves. I’ve seen aphids and spider mites wipe out a whole cantaloupe bed or roses almost overnight. I suggest treating early and once every two to three weeks to be safe.

2.Cabbage worms

2 -3 tbsp. Cayenne pepper powder or ½ cup chopped dried

½ gallon water

8 – 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Bring the water to a roiling boil. Steep cayenne powder or chopped dried pieces in the hot water for ½ hour to 45 minutes. Let cool to room temperature. Add eucalyptus essential oil. Spray on top and underneath plant leaves.

3.Slugs and Snails

½ gallon warm water

2 tbsp. sea salt

Dissolve sea salt in the warm water. Spray directly on the slugs and snails. You can also spray on the ground to prevent their path to your plants. Beer traps made from jar tops and planted in your garden will also effectively stop these pests.

Most people who are new to organic gardening are used to blemish-free produce on the grocery shelves. Natural gardening will have produce with some spots and imperfections. That is nature. At the same time, these natural homemade pesticides have been used by farmers for hundreds of years to avoid large crop losses. You can DIY recipes that will custom fit your garden.