Pesticides

Pesticides are chemicals used to kill unwanted insects, vegetation, fungus, rodents etc. They are used agriculturally, and in gardens and households, and can be extremely harmful to human beings.

Pesticides -

• can spread through water supplies and be carried on the air, putting at risk the areas surrounding the land on which they are actually used.
• can damage health, causing anything from an eye irritation to serious illness. Carbendazim (designed to kill fungi, and used on fruit sold in the UK) has been proved to damage the growth of mammals in the womb, and may disrupt hormone levels. The government claims that it sets 'safe' levels, but these have been challenged by groups such as Friends of the Earth
• accumulate in the body, so the quantities that we consume can easily reach potentially dangerous levels.
• poison rivers and soil.
• harm animals, causing problems in the food chain.
• can damage the ozone layer.
By buying organic, pesticide-free food, you can help to minimise the damage done to the environment and to your health. If demand for food produced using pesticides falls, large corporations will have to start looking for alternative ways to produce their food.

If you grown your own food, there are some easy and creative ways to make your own pesticide. The environment, your body and your family will be grateful!

Organic Pesticides

Hot Peppers: Blend 2 or 3 very hot peppers, 1/2 onion and 1 clove garlic in 4 quarts/litres of water, boil, steep for two days and strain. Can be frozen for future use.

Garlic: Mix 4 quarts/litres of water, 2 Tbsp (30 ml) garlic juice (do not use garlic powder as it will burn the plants), 1 and 1/5 ounces (30 grams) of diatomaceous earth (see below), and 1 tsp (5 ml) rubbing alcohol. Can be frozen for future use.

Soap: Use only pure soap, as detergents will damage your plants. Liquid soaps: 2 Tbsp (30 ml) per quart/litre of water. Dry soaps: 1/5 oz (5 grams) per quart/litre of water. If it has not rained after a few days, remember to rinse plants.