Cochinilla Algodonosa (Planoccocus citri) / Cottony Mealybug (Planoccocus citri) [ESP/ENGL]
Piojo Blanco (Pinnaspis aspidistraes) / White Louse (Pinnaspis aspidistraes) [ESP/ENGL]
This is the third post of a series I am doing, due to the presence of pests in the green areas of my home. I have been very worried, because since last year the number of affections towards my plants has increased, reducing their productivity, and even causing the death of some of them. In this order of ideas I recently made two posts, telling you about two infestations that are present both in my backyard and in my internal garden. You can read both posts below:
Cochinilla Algodonosa (Planoccocus citri) / Cottony Mealybug (Planoccocus citri) [ESP/ENGL]
Piojo Blanco (Pinnaspis aspidistraes) / White Louse (Pinnaspis aspidistraes) [ESP/ENGL]
Due to this invasion of harmful insects, I decided to get to work to eradicate them, since they are getting out of control. I have been researching about different alternatives to elaborate natural insecticides. Remember that I have melipona bees and bees of others species in my backyard, and that I must always watch over their welfare and safety, so I cannot (and do not want to) use agrochemicals. So I decided to create my own formula, my own natural insecticide with what I have on hand, and these elements are: Isopropyl alcohol, tobacco, garlic and blue or neutral soap.
Alcohol isopropílico: Además de estimular a que los insectos se hagan más visibles, y por tanto, más controlables, ya que el olor los obliga a salir por aire fresco; también tiene la función de vulnerar el exoesqueleto de ciertos insectos, lo que puede matarlos. Por otra parte, es un excelente agente para macerar el resto de los ingredientes, y funciona como un buen vehículo a la hora de aplicar el insecticida.
Jabón azul o neutro: Al igual que el alcohol, ayuda a debilitar el exoesqueleto o cubierta de algunos insectos.
Tabaco (Nicotiana tabacum): Actúa como insecticida y acaricida, y esto es gracias a la nicotina, un alcaloide de tipo orgánico que contiene el tabaco en grandes concentraciones.
Ajo (Allium sativum): Debido a sus compuestos azufrados actúa como repelente, insecticida y acaricida, de una amplia variedad de insectos.
Reviewing specialized literature on the subject, which I quote properly at the end of this post, in order to properly recognize the contribution of each author to the development of this post; readings from which I have extracted information, but I have not copied verbatim; I can say that the insecticidal properties of the ingredients I have used, are as follows:
- Isopropyl alcohol: In addition to stimulating insects to become more visible, and therefore more controllable, since the smell forces them to leave for fresh air; It also has the function of damaging the exoskeleton of certain insects, which can kill them. On the other hand, it is an excellent agent to macerate the rest of the ingredients, and works as a good vehicle when applying the insecticide.
- Blue or neutral soap: Like alcohol, it helps weaken the exoskeleton or cover of some insects.
- Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum): It acts as an insecticide and acaricide, and this is thanks to nicotine, an organic-type alkaloid that tobacco contains in high concentrations.
- Garlic (Allium sativum): Due to its sulfur compounds, it acts as a repellent, insecticide and acaricide of a wide variety of insects.
La fórmula que utilicé es la siguiente:
300 cc de alcohol isopropílico.
1 tabaco o puro.
30 gramos de jabón azul o neutro.
1 cabeza de ajo.
The formula I used is as follows:
- 300 cc of isopropyl alcohol.
- 1 tobacco or cigar.
- 30 grams of blue or neutral soap.
- 1 head of garlic.
El procedimiento de elaboración es muy simple, lo detallo a continuación:
The elaboration procedure is very simple, I detail it below:
- Picar el jabón de forma menuda en introducirlo en una botella de vidrio con tapa hermética.
- Finely chop the soap and put it in a glass bottle with an airtight lid.
- Desmenuzar el tabaco con las manos, y meterlo en la botella.
- Crush the tobacco with your hands, and put it in the bottle.
- Pelar y picar menudamente los ajos. Introducirlos junto con las cáscaras dentro de la botella.
- Peel and finely chop the garlic. Introduce them together with the shells inside the bottle.
- Añadir poco a poco el alcohol isopropílico hasta llenar la botella y cerrarla herméticamente.
- Add the isopropyl alcohol little by little until the bottle is filled and closed hermetically.
- Agitar la botella y ponerla a macerar en un lugar oscuro.
- Shake the bottle and put it to macerate in a dark place.
A diario agitar la botella para acelerar el proceso de maceración de los ingredientes.
Esperar 3 semanas, transcurrido ese tiempo, ya los ingredientes sólidos estarán casi desechos en su totalidad en el alcohol. En ese momento el insecticida natural estará apto para ser utilizado.
- Shake the bottle daily to accelerate the maceration process of the ingredients.
- Wait 3 weeks, after that time, the solid ingredients will be almost completely diluted in the alcohol. At that time the natural insecticide will be suitable for use.
Here I end this post, which I did as a natural alternative to control certain pests in plants and crops. Soon I will be explaining the application process of this insecticide and its effectiveness. I hope this information is useful for everyone.
- Succulent Avenue (s/f). Alcohol para eliminar las plagas de jardín.
- UCM (s/f). Plantas Insecticidas y Plantas Vivas como Repelentes
Todas las fotos de este post son de mi autoría y fueron tomadas con mi teléfono Xiomi REDMI 8 A // These photos are my own, and were taken with a Xiomi REDMI 8 A phone
Los divisores son cortesía de @eve66 quien comparte bellos diseños que embellecen el maquetado de nuestras publicaciones. // The dividers used are courtesy of @eve66 who shares beautiful designs that embellish the layout of our post.
En caso de que se requiera utilizar el contenido o las imágenes de este post y de mis otras publicaciones, agradecería que se hiciera referencia a mi autoría (Fabiola Martínez) y se citara el enlace correspondiente. Gracias. // In case it is required to use the content or images of this post and of my other publications, I would appreciate if you could refer to my authorship (Fabiola Martínez) and cite the corresponding link. Thanks.