3 clever DIY insecticides

Here are three ways to take things around your house and use them to effectively keep insects and other unwanted visitors away from your garden.

• Dishwashing soap is harmless to the environment and is safe to use in the house.
• Outdoors it also makes an effective control for soft-bodied insects, such as caterpillars, thrips, aphids and mealybugs, because soap breaks down their protective coverings, causing the pests to dehydrate.

• 15 ml (1 tbsp) liquid dishwashing soap (do not use laundry or dishwasher detergent)
• 3.75 L (1 gal) water

1. Pour soap into water and stir to dissolve. Fill a spray bottle and test-spray one or two leaves of an infested plant. Wait a day, and if the leaves are not damaged, spray the entire plant. Be sure to coat the stems as well as both sides of the leaves.

2. Repeat the treatment twice a week until the pests are no longer visible. Then repeat as often as needed.

• There are times when you may want to attract birds to your garden.
• In the spring, when they are feeding nestlings, birds can rid your garden of harmful insects.
• But later on, if they decide to eat your freshly planted corn and vegetable seeds, you will want to discourage them. Here's how.

Catnip plants or seeds

1. Plant catnip plants or seeds near, but not right next to, vulnerable garden seeds and seedlings.

2. The catnip will draw neighbourhood cats, which in turn will scare the birds from your garden.

• Rhubarb is an attractive perennial plant that not only makes good pies but also makes an insecticide that is toxic to sucking insects.
• This recipe is for ornamental plants only. Do not spray on herbs, fruits or vegetables, because rhubarb leaves are toxic to humans.

• 3 stalks rhubarb with leaves
• 3.75 L (1 gal) water

1. Chop rhubarb leaves and stems. In a stockpot, combine rhubarb and the water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for one hour.

2. Cool to room temperature, and strain liquid into a spray bottle through a funnel. Spray on infested plants at three-day intervals for 10 days. Repeat as necessary.