garlic pepper spray

[davidpjr]

How often should you use the garlic pepper spray with orange oil that Howard advocates. It seems like I spray it and the next day, there are plenty of ants still running all over where I sprayed. Also, should you not also have to reapply for sure after it rains?

[gecko]

I use garlic-pepper spray on my garden plants. (I use a pre-mix which doesn't contain citrus and I usually spot treat with a citrus spray when I can see the pests and spray it directly on them.) It seems to work well to repel leaf-eating insects long after it's dried since the residue clings to the leaf surface. I usually re-apply it after it rains.

As for ants, have you tried a barrier of diatomaceous earth (DE) in addition to the spray?

[CaptainCompostAL]

I run off or kill most soft body pests by sprinkling a strong tea of garlic, onions, hot pepper powder, orange and lemon waste (citrus acid), canola oil, and liquid soap on them.

It may take 2-3 applications to finally do them in.

Fire ants don't like a strong compost tea loaded with the optional above ingredients, plus extra citrus acid and dry molasses.

[davidpjr]

gecko wrote: I use garlic-pepper spray on my garden plants. (I use a pre-mix which doesn't contain citrus and I usually spot treat with a citrus spray when I can see the pests and spray it directly on them.) It seems to work well to repel leaf-eating insects long after it's dried since the residue clings to the leaf surface. I usually re-apply it after it rains.

As for ants, have you tried a barrier of diatomaceous earth (DE) in addition to the spray? I have put out some DE but it is sort of hard to throw it all around the porch where you are always walking. Thus, I thought the spray might work

[gecko]

Follow CaptainCompostAL's advice. You'll probably have to re-apply as often as he suggests (or more). I think having to persistently re-apply organic compounds is a heck of a lot better than a one-time application of a persistent inorganic toxin.