Safer for the environment and for your family than are chemical sprays, these home brewed garden sprays deter insects and improve the health of your garden. To be effective, natural insect sprays should be applied frequently to break the breeding cycle of common pests.
Take 1-2 Tablespoons of baking soda and dissolve in 1 gallon water and spray leaves thoroughly, tops and undersides, weekly until problem is gone.
Grow some Pennyroyal, it's an excellent mosquito repellent. Hanging baskets of pennyroyal on the porch or patio will help keep insects away. Fresh leaves rubbed on picnic guests' arms and legs will keep mosquitoes, bees, flies, wasps, and even chiggers at a distance!
English Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium is an attractive and low-maintenance groundcover that has a pleasant, mint-like fragrance, flowers July to August; reddish purple to lilac blossoms in clusters at the nodes.
I usually have some sweet basil planted near the patio or front porch to keep away the flies. They steer clear of the pungent scent, but it's aroma is wonderful when I pinch off the seedheads to keep it full and ready to be picked for my next dish!
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