Pepper Spray for Plants

Pepper sprays are a great natural way to get rid of houseplant pests. Peppers and even some herbs contain the chemical “capasaicin.” Capasaicin can be found in paprika, chili peppers, cayenne pepper, dill, and red & black pepper. You can make your own hot pepper spray: boil a few cups of water, add about 1/2 cup of finely chopped or ground hot peppers, allow it to sit out for a day or so & then pour it through a fine strainer or cheesecloth. Once you have a clear liquid, add a few drops of a liquid biodegradable soap and put it in a spray bottle. Spray all areas of the infested plant. If you don’t want the fuss of making your own, there are numerous plant pepper sprays that can be purchased. Be careful when using this product, it can burn your hands and your eyes.