Article by Jessica

Insect infestation is a huge problem when growing fruits, vegetables and any outdoor plants. The bugs and insects will eat away at plants and leaves, causing them to wilt and often die. I was constantly looking for a non chemical based and ozone friendly way to keep insects from eating my plants. I had heard of using ground coffee and other recyclable items but was always open to new ideas that were cost effective as well as bio friendly.

One day, a friend suggested tobacco as remedy to my infestation problems.That by adding water to tobacco or used cigarette butts, I could keep insects off my plants and growing vegetables in my back garden. She also suggested placing egg shells around the plants to ward off slugs and snails.

Curious to if this would work or not, I tried it out and to my surprise, the plants and my crops in the small patch that I was growing in my back garden got healthier and the bugs and worms were not eating at the plants anymore. The tobacco taste is harsh and deters the insects from wanting to feast on the plants. The egg shells work as a barrier to the base of plants, keeping  slugs and snails away from the plants.

The first step to combating bug and worm infestation is to take an empty plastic spray bottle, make sure it's clean as you do not want to spray harmful chemicals on your plants, so wash it out if you are re-using a bottle. Then take tobacco or cigarette butts and empty them into the bottle. Dilute with water and shake the bottle to stir the tobacco up so that it doesn't settle to the bottom without mixing properly. Spray directly onto the leaves and any part of the plant that has been eaten on.

If you don't have a spray bottle, you can also mix tobacco in an old milk carton and pour over the plants, the tobacco or cigarette butts will land around the plants and have somewhat the same effect but can not guarantee that the bugs and worms will stay off of the leaves completely. Again, if you are re-using any container, make sure the container is cleaned properly before using.

Spray the plants every few days, as often as you would normally water them. If there is a serious infestation, place old cigarette butts around the base of the plants to keep the bugs away more. After watering and spraying the plants, place broken egg shells around the plants. Always do this after watering so that you are not washing away any of the yoke or bits of egg that may still be left in the shells. Any extra egg matter helps deter the slugs. I would usually save eggs in a small bucket after cooking and then take the bucket out with me when watering and spraying the plants.

Within a week, you should notice some difference, but as with everything, once off will not work. You must spray the plants regularly to keep the bugs and insects from coming back.

Tobacco spraying can be used on flowers as well and any growing plant that you have outdoors. It works brilliantly on roses and sunflowers as from my previous experience. I would suggest spraying morning and night if you live in an area with a serious insect problem or near the water or have your plants growing near drainage pipes.

This is a proven remedy and I hope it helps with any insect infestation that you may have.