Anyone who has ever swatted a mosquito understands that you don’t always require toxins to kill bugs. Organic “winter spray,” also called dormant spray, smothers insects and insect eggs in fruit trees without the need for much more toxic products. The oil-based spray only kills bugs existing on the tree at the moment of spraying. By applying an oil-based spray from sunlight, you attack the pests while the tree is vacant of leaves and most beneficial insects are not present. You can make your own organic spray in moments on your kitchen or garage. Utilize the basic oil spray or the Bordeaux mixture, an effective fungicide and bactericide.
Basic Oil Sizes
Put 1 pound of oil-based soap, 1 gallon of mineral or horticultural oil and one-half gallon of water into a saucepan.
Put the pan to the stove and heat until the components begin to boil.
Combine one portion of the oil mix together with 19 parts water. Mix just before applying, as oil and water separate fast.
Fill a pump sprayer or a hose-end sprayer using the mix. Thoroughly spray the dormant tree trunk and branches to ensure that all insects present on the tree are covered. Apply enough spray that you depart the branches dripping. If you choose to spray once the tree has leaves, spray both sides of each leaf carefully.
Bordeaux Mixture Spray
Put 1 gallon of tepid water into a bucket. Mix in 1 lb of copper sulfate and stir until it is dissolved. Store the mix in a stoppered, glass container. Label the container and keep it where children cannot get into it.
Pour 1 gallon of water into a bucket. Mix in 1 lb of fresh hydrated lime. Leave standing for two hours then pour into a glass container with a stopper. Label the container.
Put 2 gallons of water into a large plastic bucket. Shake the copper sulfate solution. Stir the water constantly as you add 1 quart of the copper sulfate mix. Do the same using the lime solution, continuing to stir the solution constantly. Do not add the lime prior to the copper sulfate or you will have to begin again.
Fill your sprayer using the mix and spray the tree thoroughly, covering arms and branches. Shake that the sprayer as you spray to stop clogging.
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