Garlic Chilli Spray for Plants (Lehsun Mirch): Aphids, Safely (Video)

Transcript

Aphids in your garden? Try a kitchen-made garlic chilli spray.

Aphids in your garden? Try a kitchen-made garlic chilli spray.

Garlic Chili Spray

A garlic chilli spray can keep aphids off your herbs, but it’s a bit harsh on skin and eyes. Let’s see how to make it safely and use it in the garden.

At a Glance

This simple mix targets soft insects like aphids on the plants you eat. It won’t erase a heavy outbreak in one go, so start with a water jet and hand-squash first. One litre batch keeps in the fridge for up to a week.

Safety First

Capsaicin in the chilies sticks to skin and can sting eyes, so wear gloves from chopping to rinsing the sprayer. Spray with the wind at your back, never into a breeze, and keep children, cats and dogs inside. Store the bottle clearly labelled and out of reach.

Spot Aphids

Aphids are tiny, pear-shaped bugs about the size of a sesame seed, usually green or black. You’ll see new leaves curl, sticky honeydew on the undersides, and ants marching up the stem. First, try squashing with a gloved finger, then a strong water jet, and finally a spray if they return.

Recipe

Take one bulb of garlic, about eight to ten cloves, and four to five hot green chilies, or a tablespoon of red chilli flakes. Blend them with a litre of water and half a teaspoon of plain liquid soap. Stir well, let it steep for a few minutes, then strain into a spray bottle.

Spray Tips

Before treating the whole plant, spray a single leaf and wait a day or two for any brown spots. Choose an evening when the sun isn’t beating the leaves, shake the bottle, and coat the undersides and new shoots until just damp. Skip open flowers, and repeat every four to five days, especially after rain.

Important Warning

Never use this spray on people, pets, or in the air. If a child swallows a mouthful, rinse the mouth, give water, and seek medical help if they vomit, drool, or have trouble breathing. People with asthma should let someone else do the spraying, as the mist can trigger coughing.

Limits

The spray works reasonably well on aphids, young whitefly and newly hatched caterpillars, but it’s weak against mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites under webbing, and large caterpillars. It won’t reach soil-dwelling pests like fungus gnat larvae. For tougher problems, consider neem oil or pruning the affected parts.

Harvest Safely

After the last spray, wait two to three days before harvesting. Rinse leaves and fruit under running water, rubbing gently to remove any residue. No soap, bleach or chemicals belong on food, so a simple water rinse is enough. Your herbs will be clean and ready for the kitchen.

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