How to Apply Canola Oil As a Pesticide Home Guides

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/ Pest Control

While bugs chowing down on garden plants isn’t news, some folks may consider the concept of plants fighting back on behalf of their brethren a novel one. Eliminating dangerous chemicals from your bug-killing arsenal doesn’t render you helpless. Look to the plant kingdom itself for a potent solution. Plant-based canola oil is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for insect pest control. You can beef up your own homeland security right in your own kitchen. Whip up a batch of highly effective organic pesticide with canola oil -- on the cheap.

1 Pour 2 cups of canola oil into a plastic container. Add 2 tablespoons of non-degreasing liquid dish soap to create a pesticide concentrate. Cap the container tightly and shake well to combine the ingredients thoroughly.

2 Label the container clearly with permanent marker. Store the pesticide in a cool, dark spot indefinitely.

3 Combine 1 1/2 teaspoons of the canola oil pesticide concentrate with 1 cup of warm water in a plastic spray bottle. Shake it well to keep the water and oil combined.

4 Spray the canola oil pesticide generously on dry plants so that the material will evaporate quickly. This lessens the risk of damage to your plants. Coat all surfaces to the point of runoff. Pay particular attention to the petioles and undersides of leaves, where bugs like to hide. The best time to do this is during the morning or evening hours of a nice day with no precipitation in the forecast. Apply canola oil pesticide when you don’t expect the temperature to exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

5 Repeat the canola oil application every seven to 10 days throughout the growing season for ongoing pest control.

Things Needed Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Plastic container

Non-degreasing liquid dish soap

Permanent marker

Plastic spray bottle

Baking soda (optional)

Spoon (optional)

Warnings Some plants tend to be hypersensitive to oils. Consider other organic pesticides such as insecticidal soap for tender varieties. Always test the solution on a small area of any plant you’re in doubt about.

Tips Agitate your spray bottle every few squirts to prevent the oil and water from separating. This prevents the sprayer from clogging and minimizes the risk of potential injury to your plants.

If you’ve never treated a particular type of plant with oil before, test the canola solution on a small, inconspicuous area. Check the spot after 48 hours to be sure the plant doesn’t suffer injury from the material before you treat the entire plant with it.

Your homemade canola oil pesticide kills aphids, whiteflies, beetles and their larvae, caterpillars, cabbage loopers, stinkbugs, earwigs, sowbugs, gnats, scales, gypsy moths, psyllids, leafhoppers, mites, leaf miners, mealybugs and leaf rollers as well as powdery mildew and some viruses transmitted by aphids.

“Canola” isn’t a plant. It’s a Canadian Canola Association registered trademark for oil derived from oilseed rape plants. Most of the world’s canola oil needs are supplied by two species of oilseed rape, Brassica napus L. and B. rapa LL. Both plants thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11.

Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the canola oil pesticide concentrate to 1 cup of very warm water. Stir well to dissolve the baking soda. Pour the solution into a plastic spray bottle. Shake well to keep the ingredients from separating. Apply every five to seven days to treat mildew and fungal infections.

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