how to make a muse organic pesticide from tobacco you probably suspect that tobacco plants Nick Oceania topic um contain nicotine but you may not know nicotine deters garden pests usually grown as an annual tobacco is Hardy in US Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 11 pesticides based on tobacco leaves are toxic to some insects particularly soft bodied creatures such as slugs and aphids any processed tobacco forms the basis of a homemade organic pesticide this includes rolling by poor chewing tobacco's and cigarettes if growing your own tobacco is not regulated in your area drying homegrown leaves for the sprays an option to things you will need tobacco cup measure water bucket sieve dishwashing liquid storage containers plant mister step 1 steep one cup of dried tobacco in one gallon of water for at least half an hour soaking for longer periods produces a stronger pesticide some gardeners leave the tobacco mixture to soak for a day stronger pesticides work faster but they are also more dangerous to beneficial garden insects step 2 add one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to the tobacco solution this acts as a surfactant to improve spread ability and helps the solution stick to plants soap is also mildly toxic to pests on its own right step 3 strain the liquid into plastic storage containers use a fine sieve to remove the tobacco pieces tighten the lid securely the pesticide will keep for a couple of weeks extort in a cool location such as a garage or basement step four transfer the mixture to a plant mister for use spray affected plant parts thoroughly but target the pests themselves spray growing shoots infested with aphids but not nearby a fat-free leaves tobacco spray is natural but still dangerous to beneficial insects such as ladybugs step 5 spray the pesticide only on plans not in the tobacco family Solanaceae II avoid tobacco related plants including tomatoes like a per second is gillingham potatoes solanum tuberosum and peppers capsicum SBP tobacco may transmit the tobacco mosaic virus and cause more problems for these plants than the best you