Kitchen-cabinet staple functions as a versatile pest repellent for squirrels, slugs, wasps, ants, and aphids; correct application is crucial.
Sizzling Your Pest Problems Away!* A Chilli Solution for Your Garden Woes* Cayenne Pepper: Garden's Ultimate Deterrent* Revamp Your Garden with a Heatwave
Tired of those unwanted garden visitors? Slugs, aphids, spider mites, wasps, squirrels, deer – you name 'em. They ruin your garden parties and feast on your plants like it's a never-ending smorgasbord. But don't fret! Your kitchen pantry has a secret weapon waiting to whip these critters into submission: cayenne pepper!
Cayenne pepper – a staple in spicing up chillies, curries, soups, and other delicious dishes – doubles as an extremely effective natural pest control solution. It's easy to find, costs only a few dollars, and is one of the cheapest solutions to bid adieu to your garden's unwelcome guests. But before you sprinkle cayenne pepper all over your garden beds, take note of how to use it wisely to ensure its safety and effectiveness.
Why Cayenne Pepper Kicks Their Butt
Cayenne pepper's power comes from capsaicin, a chemical compound that gives pepper its fiery heat. While we humans savor the burn and spice it adds to our food, it proves to be highly irritating to many garden pests, affecting their sense of smell and taste. Here's how it repels the most common garden pests:
- Mammals like squirrels, deer, and groundhogs can't stand the smell and taste of capsaicin, and it discourages them from nibbling on your tender shoots, bulbs, and fruit.
- Slugs and snails feel an extreme irritation from capsaicin and usually avoid areas treated with cayenne pepper, slithering away to cause damage elsewhere.
- Wasps dislike capsaicin, and it's toxic to all species, including yellowjackets. The capsaicin disrupts their nervous system and metabolism, making them less likely to stick around.
- Mosquitoes also detest capsaicin. Besides acting as a deterrent, it also interferes with their breeding cycle, reducing their population numbers.
- Sap-sucking insects such as aphids and spider mites find cayenne pepper spray to be an irritant. When sprayed directly, the capsaicin can inhibit or even kill these pesky insects.
- Ants steer clear of cayenne pepper, and it can mask their scent trails.
- Caterpillars and hornworms typically avoid foliage sprayed with cayenne pepper.
Mastering Cayenne Pepper Techniques
Make no mistakes – cayenne pepper is a potent remedy against most pests, but using it wisely is crucial. If overused or misapplied, it can lead to harm to wildlife and pets, and wreak havoc on the ecological balance of your garden. Here are the best ways to put cayenne pepper to work for you:
Cayenne Pepper Spray
A hot pepper spray, easily created from cayenne pepper, water, and a bit of mild dish soap, is the optimal way to ward off most pests. Apply it to plant leaves, stems, and the soil without leaving harsh residues or damaging the ecosystem. Simply mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper, a few drops of dish soap, and a quart (1 litre) of water in a spray bottle, shake well, and use. If it's not potent enough after a few uses, feel free to add an extra tablespoon of pepper.
Spray the areas you want to protect, such as foliage, garden edges, the base of plants, and sides of containers. Protect delicate plants first by performing a patch test to ensure they don't react adversely. Avoid spraying flowers to safeguard bees and other pollinators – concentrate on foliage, soil, and areas where pests are most active. Also, refrain from using the spray during peak sun, as it may cause leaf burn. Reapply after rain or every four to seven days for continuous protection. Remember to wash your hands and avoid touching your eyes and nose when handling hot pepper spray.
Dry Sprinkle
If a spray fails to deter slugs and burrowing mammals, you can sprinkle cayenne pepper directly around the base of plants, along garden edges, near bulbs, or mix it into mulch. Use caution when dry-sprinkling, as this method can be more harmful to animals and severely irritate pets if they walk or dig through treated areas. Use dry cayenne pepper sparingly as a last resort, such as a barrier around your plants or near ant entry points into your home.
Cayenne pepper can be a fierce ally in your battle against your garden's unwanted guests. Just remember – a little cayenne pepper goes a long way!
[1] Melanie Griffiths is an expert gardener and has spent over 20 years working in homes and gardens media. Her previous roles include Editor at Period Living magazine and working with Homes & Gardens, Gardening Etc, Real Homes, Homebuilding & Renovating. Melanie's own garden is an ever-changing work in progress, and she is a passionate organic home grower who has experimented with almost every vegetable type. She has a fantastic collection of houseplants, especially orchids. Sign up for our platform newsletter to receive gardening tips, videos, information, and a free copy of our e-book "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes".
Adopting a home-and-garden lifestyle that embraces gardening would find you incorporating cayenne pepper into your gardening routine, as it's a versatile natural pest control solution. Revamp your lifestyle to include a protective barrier around your home-grown plants using a potent cayenne pepper spray or dry sprinkle method, ensuring you safeguard your favorite vegetables and flowers from unwanted pests.
