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 <div class="title"><h3>7.15 - Use of Hot Pepper to Deter Pests</h3><br><h3 class="ch-owner">Breck Quinlan, University of Guelph, Canada</h3></div>
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<p>Suggested citation for this chapter.</p>
<p>Quinlan,B. (2022)  Use of Hot Pepper to Deter Pests. In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org</p>
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       <h1 class="title-bg">Background of crop protection using hot peppers</h1>
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          <p>Hot peppers come from the genus Capsicum and are highly beneficial when incorporated into plant-based insecticides (Dagnoko et al., 2013). The genus contains the spicy compound capsaicin which acts as a natural repellent against pests. Capsaicin creates the heat in the hot peppers, and depending on the concentration of capsaicin, it can deter the pests and even cause death. These compounds kill by damaging the membrane of the insect and nervous system (Capsicum Technical Fact Sheet, n.d.) especially at the egg/larval growth stages (Antonius et al., 2006). Hot pepper insecticides are plant derived (not synthetic) and therefore, they are generally not as threatening to the environment as manufactured pesticides (Tomita & Endo, 2007). The substance must be eaten by the pest to kill it; it only attacks the pest targeted and is unlikely to attack non-target insects (Baidoo & Mochiah, 2016).</P>
            <P>The use of hot peppers in insecticides can be beneficial for smallholder farmers. Due to African and Asian smallholder farmers experiencing many pests related challenges, their food and economic security are compromised. The method of utilizing hot peppers in pesticides is variably affordable, depending on whether farmers grow their own peppers for the insecticide or purchase them. Hot peppers are inexpensive and accessible in most areas around the world as they are usually grown locally (Khalid, 2020).</p>
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       <h1 class="title-bg">Benefits of Using a Hot Pepper Pesticide</h1>
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     <p>Adopting the use of homemade pesticides has become increasingly common in poorer countries due to limitations regarding the cost and accessibility of acquiring a commercial pesticide (Dougoud et al, 2019). These homemade pesticides are particularly effective against arthropods like aphids, spider mites and white flies, which account for 20% of crop losses per year globally (Mateos-Fernandez et al, 2021). In many instances, they are a safe and effective alternative to the synthetic pesticides, however, this depends on the active ingredients present and their concentration (Dougoud et al, 2019). The method has already been adopted in countries like Kenya and Malawi where locals have prepared solutions to combat fall armyworm (Nunda, 2018). The deterrence was achieved using wood ash and chilli powder and was proven successful across Africa (Nunda, 2018). Other recipes involved using detergent and salt or washing powder and pepper spray (Nunda, 2018). Homemade pesticides have been proven to reduce the number of arthropod pests in crops (Dougoud et al, 2019). It is an important option for farmers who cannot obtain commercial pesticides and ultimately ensures improved crop production security.</P>
 
<p><i>-       Cost-effective:</i></p> Hot pepper pesticides can be made from household ingredients, that can be grown on farms or can be purchased locally, making the product affordable to smallholder farmers.</p>
<p><i>-       Environmentally Friendly:</i></p> Hot pepper based pesticides are organic pesticides meaning they do not contain any synthetic chemicals. The soil fertility, water quality, air quality and biodiversity are at less risk when using a pesticide that is organic (FAO, 2022).</p>
<p><i>-       Accessibility:</i></p> Smallholder farmers face many challenges pertaining to food production and security. Utilizing hot peppers for pesticides through a home-made recipe is an easy way to deter pests, ensure a smooth production process and does not rely on any external factors other than possible local resources.</p>
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       <h1 class="title-bg">Commercial Hot Pepper Pesticides</h1>
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          <p>When exploring how to obtain a hot pepper pesticide, there are generally two options to do this. First is to purchase the product commercially. There are a variety of commercial insecticides on the market that incorporate hot pepper or the compound capsaicin as an ingredient.</p>
 <p>Bonide Hot Pepper Wax (ABICO Organics, n.d.): In North America, this is a commercial insecticide that uses the hot pepper to create a wax coating over the crops that the insects/animals do not enjoy and deters them from feeding on the crops. The product is generally used for fruit and vegetable crops like berries, tomatoes, cucumbers and more. To use this product, apply until the entire plant is wet. Application of the product must be repeated every 3-7 days for a period of 2-3 weeks until the pests have been completely eradicated (ARBICO Organics, n.d.). To maintain control, the product can be used again every 2-4 weeks. This product demonstrates that there may be similar commercial opportunities in developing nations, which would have the additional benefit of generating income for local peoples.</p>
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       <h1 style="background: #FBB03B;padding: 15px;font-weight: 600;color: #000;font-size: 22px;margin:unset;text-align:center;">Home-made Hot Pepper Pesticides</h1>
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          <p>In the event that there are financial constraints, or commercial products are not available locally, there is an option to develop a homemade version of a hot pepper pesticide as an alternative to the commercial product as detailed below:</p>
 
<p><b>Step by Step Manual on How to Make a Hot Pepper Insecticide (Old World Garden Farms, 2022)</b></p>
<p>The ingredients for the pesticide include: 1 gallon of water, around 10 hot peppers (thinly sliced) or 5 tablespoons of hot pepper flakes, 10 cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil.</p>
<p><b>Step 1.</b></p>  Add peppers, garlic and water into a large pot or pan and heat until it is simmering.</p>
<p><b>Step 2.</b></p> Keep simmering the mixture for around 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes (if using hot pepper flakes, heat them first before adding the water).</p>
<p><b>Step 3.</b></p> After the 15 minutes let the mixture cool and sit at room temperature for a period of 24 hours.</p>
<p><b>Step 4.</b></p> After the 24-hour period, use a strainer to strain the garlic and peppers from the mixture.</p>
<p><b>Step 5.</b></p> Transfer the mixture into a sealed container.</p>
<p><b>Step 6.</b></p> Add the teaspoon of vegetable oil and shake the liquid to mix it.</p>
 
<p>Some recipes may also use include a few drops of liquid soap instead of vegetable oil. This product can be used on a small scale, like in home gardens and large-scale to cover larger areas like field crops. To apply the home-made product, the process is like the commercial product. Due to the strong rays of the sun, which is especially prominent in Africa and Asia, it is best to apply this product in the morning or late evening when the ultraviolet light (UV) is not as strong. The pesticide should be applied every 3-5 days until the area is controlled and should also be re-applied after any rainfall (FAO, n.d.). Make sure to wear gloves when handling the pesticide and avoid contact with eyes, nose, and mouth (FAO, n.d.).</p>
 
<p>For an audio/visual tutorial on how to make a hot pepper spray pesticide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXE3uObYbXo</p>
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       <h1 class="title-bg">Evaluation of the Product</h1>
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          <p>The product made from household ingredients appears affordable, however, it is important to consider the costs involved when deciding to purchase locally or grow ingredients yourself. Factors including travel, seed costs and labor need to be accounted for. Concerning the safety of homemade pesticides, many of them have not had the proper safety assessments completed which does pose risk (Dougoud, 2019). These pesticides, however, have been around for years and have been used by many small-scale farmers, implying that they pose minimal risk (Dougoud, 2019). To avoid significant risks, personal protective equipment during the preparations and application processes is crucial (Dougoud, 2019). These include gloves, long sleeves/pants, and protective eye wear. When analyzing the efficacy, homemade pesticides are naturally less potent, and their concentration contributes to the efficacy (Dougoud, 2019). This may require applying the pesticide more often. In addition, hot peppers are effective in deterring pests, but not all of them. It may depend on the type of pepper you are using, for example only the cayenne pepper has shown effects against spider mites (Grant, n.d.). When thinking about the process of producing and applying the product, some factors to consider are that hot peppers are widely grown around the world and are therefore familiar to most farmers. This can minimize the risk for error and encourage the utilization of this product for smallholder farmers in Africa and Asia. For farmers in these countries who do not have a high degree of literacy, the pesticide can be made within a few simple steps that can also be easily explained through visual demonstrations. There is a provided step-by-step YouTube video below.</p>
<p>In conclusion, the utilization of hot peppers in pesticides offers smallholder farmers an easily accessible and obtainable way to ensure food production safety and security. This is achieved by combatting pest challenges in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way</p> 
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       <h1 class="title-bg">Helpful Links To Get Started </h1>
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          <p>https://www.fao.org/3/ca7556en/CA7556EN.pdf</p>
<p>https://www.fao.org/3/au100e/au100e.pdf</p>
<p>For your garden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJs2FpJ9jwk&t=49s</p>
 
<p>YouTube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fN2LTMRYgg</p>
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       <h1 class="title-bg">References</h1>
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          <p>1.Baidoo, P. K., & Mochiah, M. B. (2016). Comparing the Effectiveness of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and Hot Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) in the Management of the Major Pests of Cabbage Brassica oleracea (L.). Sustainable Agriculture Research 5 (2). Retrieved from https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/234995/</p>
 
 <p>2.BONIDE® Hot Pepper Wax Animal Repellent RTU. (n.d.). ARBICO Organics. Retrieved March 20, 2024, Retrieved from https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/shot-gun-hot-pepper-repellent-rabbits-squirrels/animal-bird-control#:~:text=Instructions</p>
 
 <p>3.Capsaicin Technical Fact Sheet. (n.d.). National Pesticide Information Center. Npic.orst.edu. Retrieved from http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/archive/Capsaicintech.html#:~:text=In%20insects%2C%20capsaicin </p>
 
 <p>4.Dagnoko, S., Yaro-Diarisso, N., Sanogo, P. N., Adetula, O., Dolo-Nantoume, A., Gamby-Toure, K., Traore-Thera, A., Katile, S., & Diallo-Ba, D. (2013). Overview of pepper (Capsicum spp.) breeding in West Africa. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 8(13), 1108–1114. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2012.1758</p>
 <p>5.Dougoud, J., Toepfer, S., Bateman, M., & Jenner, W.H. (2019). Efficacy of homemade botanical insecticides based on traditional knowledge. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 39, 37.  Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13593-019-0583-1</p>
 <p>6.FAO. (2022). Organic Agriculture: What are the environmental benefits of organic agriculture? FAO. www.fao.org. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/organicag/oa-faq/oa-faq6/en/</p>
 
 <p>7.Grant, A. (n.d.). Natural Pest Repellent: Do Hot Peppers Deter Pests In The Garden. Gardening Know How. Retrieved from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/do-hot-peppers-deter-pests.htm</p>

 <p>8.Kahlid, S. (2020) Crop production manual A guide to fruit and vegetable production in the Federated States of Micronesia. (n.d.). FAO. https://www.fao.org/3/ca7556en/CA7556EN.pdf</p>
 
 <p>9.Mateos Fernandes, R., Petek, M., Gerasymenko, I., Jutersek, M., Baebler S., Kallam, K., Moreno Gimenez, E., Gondolf, J., Nordmann, A., Gruden, K., Orzaez, D., & Patron, N.J. (2021). Insect pest management in the age of synthetic biology. Plant Biotechnology Journal 20, 25-36. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8710903/</p>
 
 
 <p>10.Nunda, W. (2018, September 24). Citizens attempt traditional solutions against fall armyworm. Invasive Species Blog. Retrieved from https://blog.invasive-species.org/2018/09/24/citizen-scientists-attempt-traditional-solutions-against-fall-armyworm/</p>
 
 <p>11.Oldworldgardenfarms. (2022, June 9). How To Make Hot Pepper And Garlic Spray- Protect Your Plants Naturally! Old World Garden Farms. Retrieved from https://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2022/06/09/make-hot-pepper-garlic-spray/</p>
 
 
 <p>12.Tomita, M., & Endo, H. (2007). Using Capsaicin as a Less Toxic Insecticide. Combined Proceedings International Plant Propagators’ Society, 57. http://admin.ipps.org/uploads/57_161.pdf</p>
	
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