What if I told you that using pawpaw leaf extract as an organic pesticide can save you from caterpillars and sucking pests? In our search for sustainability and healthy living, we have realized the need to travel back in time and substitute the synthetic remedies we have with organic alternative. After all, organic pesticides have proven to be effective from age to age, without any resistance issues. So, do you have a home garden or a small farm where you grow veggies? Have you been having a tough time combating pests that compete with you for your produce? It’s time to use some organic pesticides, and in this post, pawpaw leaves will be doing the magic.
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I know how stupid it might sound for me to be telling you that the common papaya leaves (Carica papaya) can kill pests. But if you are one of my regular readers, you will know that whatever I share is tested and trusted. Well, in the case of papaya as an organic pesticide, the active ingredient is Papain. That is, Papain in pawpaw leaves is responsible for the pesticidal action of the plant part.
Table of Contents
Why Use Papaya Leaf Extract as Pesticide?
It is only normal for you to ask if there are no more commercially sold pesticides in the market. Why should someone like me be talking about organic pesticides, and pawpaw leaf to be precise? Well, I think for some reasons, we are all getting tired of synthetic pesticides. Let me show you some of the reasons to ditch synthetic pesticides.
Some Disadvantages of Synthetic Pesticides
- High cost of crop maintenance due to expensive pesticides
- High toxicity to humans
- Increasing pest resistance
Advantages of Papaya Leaf Extract as Organic Pesticide
Now, let’s talk about the good side. There is no reason to not love organic pesticides. Imagine that you finally discover a safe way to destroy all the caterpillars and sucking insects on your farm without spending much. Can you beat that? Below are some of the advantages of using papaya leaf extract as organic pesticide on your farm:
- Cost effective way of controlling pest on your crop farm
- Papaya leaf extract is biodegradable. That is, it is easy to decompose
- It is very safe for humans and livestock
- It can be produced by the farmer and on the farm
- Capable of killing pests fast
- Materials needed for preparation are readily available
- Dosage can be easily manipulated to meet the farmer’s desired result.
- It can be produced at no cost at all. That is if you have access to the materials needed. Of course, most people do.
READ ALSO: How to De-worm Your Chickens Naturally
How to Prepare/Make Papaya Leaf Extract
The following are the easy steps to follow to make your natural pesticide from pawpaw.
- Get about 1 KG of fresh papaya leaves. (this quantity can vary, depending on the final volume of pesticide to wish to get)
- Pound the fresh pawpaw leaves in a mortar.
- Scoop the pounded leaves into a container and add 10 liters of water. (Note that you should add 10 liters of water if you have fetched 1 KG of fresh pawpaw leaves
- To the mixture, add 30 ml of kerosene
- Now, add 30 grams of detergent
- Cover the bucket containing the mixture and allow to sit overnight.
- Remove the leave residues on the second day, and filter out the extract. Your organic pesticide is ready.
- Turn the extract into your sprayer tank and spay your crop. For the best results, spray your veggies and fruits in the cool of the day, morning or evening.
So, I have just opened your eyes to the wonder on papaya leaf extract. Trust me, those pests are in trouble as you begin to execute what you have just learned. Finally, you don’t have to buy that expensive synthetic pesticide for the few stands of vegetable in your backyard. Everything you need is around you.
We will continue bring you invaluable tips like this. Please feel free to share and leave a comment below.
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