Biological pesticides
The use of commercial pesticides kills; not only the target insect pests, but also beneficial
insects like spider, grasshoppers and others. Besides this, it leaves residues in the plant
where it is sprayed, and is harmful to the person spraying. If inhaled, pesticide can cause
cancer in the long run.
Pesticides chemically prepared are expensive; we have plants that naturally repel harmful
insect at no cost, such as:
1. Wild pepper – dried and pulverized
– Spray on infected plants. When this becomes moist from dew, insect pests are repelled.
2. Combination of 3 pieces of garlic, 2 pieces pepper, and 2 piece onions grind and pulverize
these, soak overnight in water. By next morning, fill up the water to make 3 gallons. Strain and
spray on affected plants.
3. Ash and lime
– Spread around the plants to keep off snails or land leeches.
– Put a basin of water beside the plant to attract and trap the snails (from PCARRD Farmnews
July 1987)
4. Essence (oil) from oranges, calamansi, pomelo, other citrus
– Dispels and kills ants, flies, white cricket, etc. (PCARRD Farmnews March 1984)
5. Damond Maria (dried) when burned drives away insect pests (PCARRD Farmnews Feb.
1984)
6. Eucalyptus leaves
7. Manzanilla flower
Pyrethrum flower Is a kind if white chrysanthemum that grows in high altitudes like the Mountain province. It contains pyrethrin, a chemical that drives insect away. The higher the altitude, the stronger is its pyrethrin content.
The pyrethrin or pesticide content in this flower is not harmful to humans and is beneficial to
plants like potatoes. It also repels insects’ pests that feed on cultured plants.
Pyrethrin comes from chrysanthemum leaves.
From: Greenfields
March 1983, teknotulong
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