Controlling pests that enjoy devouring the hard-earned fruits of our labor is as important to a healthy garden as water, fertilizer, and weed control.  But before rushing off to the nearest garden center for chemicals, try mixing your own solution from less harsh ingredients . . . you probably have most of what you need on hand.
Always remember that any chemical pesticide is by definition toxic to something, and may have direct or even an indirect effect on other living things, not just on what you are wanting to treat.

You can easily mix your own simple and effective sprays. Following are probably the most popular among those who like to keep chemicals out of the garden.

• Soap Spray Insecticide
  
  • Detergent-based liquid soap, such as dishwashing liquid
  • Water
  • Mix one-tablespoon detergent per one gallon water in sprayer. Apply liberally to both tops and bottoms of leaves. Reapply about once a week, or after a rain.
  
  
• Garlic Spray Insecticide
  
  • One whole garlic bulb
  • Two cups water
  • One gallon water
  • Combine in blender the entire garlic bulb and two cups water, and blend on high speed until garlic is finely pureed. Put in storage container and set aside for a day. Strain out pulp, and then mix liquid with one gallon water in sprayer. Spray tops and bottoms of leaves thoroughly. Apply about once a week, and after a rain.
  
  
• Fungicide Spray  Treats Powdery Mildew & other fungus
  
  • One gallon water
  • Three tablespoons baking soda
  • One teaspoon dishwashing liquid
  • One tablespoon bleach ( Warning - NO more than this amount )
  • Mix all ingredients in sprayer and spray all areas on the plant that look affected. It's best to remove all leaves and other parts of the plant that are the worst affected. Apply sparingly to unaffected areas, and keep in mind that too much bleach can harm the plant. Try to avoid getting it on healthy leaves.
  
  
• Hot Pepper Spray   Helps repel rabbits, deer, and other nibblers
  
  • 6 - 10 Hot Peppers
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 quart water
  • Combine peppers and two cups water in blender and blend on high speed for 1 - 2 minutes. Pour in storage container with lid and put aside for a day. Strain through cheesecloth, and add this liquid to one quart of water in sprayer. Spray plants liberally every week and after a rain.

Other Natural Alternatives

• Slugs
  • Salt, of course ... sprinkle it directly on them, and they're history.
    
  • A bowl of beer. Yes, they will crawl in by the dozens and die.
    
  • Copper. I've never tried this, but have read much about it. Placing copper wire or sheeting around the base of plants is said to stop slugs in their ... tracks.

• Nematodes
  • Planting marigolds among your garden veggies and other flowers may help repel these pests.

• Gnats, flies and mosquitoes
  • Plant basil around your patios and sitting areas, or keep it in pots on the deck or porch to help repel these flying nuisances.  Water well before you expect to be out, to enhance the aroma.  Early Americans would keep pots of basil on their windowsills to keep flies out of their homes.
  • Crush fresh basil leaves in your hands, and spread the oil over your skin to keep them away.

• Aphids
  • Planting Nasturtiums will help repel aphids, and also give your vegetable patch a burst of color.

Birds are a major contributor to bug control, so keep your yard friendly to them. Frogs are great nocturnal feeders, and devour incredible numbers of pests, including slugs. Dragonflies feed on flying insects, and their larvae feed on mosquito wrigglers.  ( In just 30 minutes, the Odonata dragonfly can eat its own weight in some of the fastest flying and most predatory of insects! ) Other good bugs include Ladybugs, which feed on aphids, mealy bugs, scale and other small insects, and Centipedes, which consume slug and snail eggs, and fruitfly pupa. The Praying Mantis stalks and devours all types of problem insects.  Spiders are all predatory, and are very beneficial to the garden.  Wasps are nearly all either insect predators or parasitoids, and very important in pest control.

Fewer chemicals in our environment will eventually lead to less of the harmful bugs, actually.  As the beneficial insect-eaters thrive in a chemical-free habitat, the plant-eating bugs are controlled.  So, throw away those pesticides, use more natural resources to take care of pest problems, and we'll have the thrill and pleasure of more butterflies, bees, fireflies, dragonflies, ladybugs and all the other summer visitors we enjoy so much.

Links for more information . . .
WWF - Reducing Toxic Chemicals
Basic Guide to Pesticides
Gardening Without Chemicals
Insect Repellant Plants