permaculture

268 Facilitator’s Handbook for Permaculture Workshops

Field activity : Make natural pest control sprays

Method   :  Small   group   field   activity

Tools : See preparation below

References : PC Book MOD 9 – Integrated Pest Management

Objective : Participants practice making natural pesticides

See “Making and using natural pesticides” section of PC Book MOD 9 – Integrated

Pest Management for detailed instruction for this exercise.

Preparation

• Identify pests that need to be sprayed.


• Choose the appropriate natural pesticides to make that will control these pests,
  that the participants will be able to easily make themselves in the future.

Materials to prepare:

• Ingredients needed to make the chosen sprays.


• Tools for making the pesticides – Cooking equipment, stirrers, funnel, etc.


• Large mortar and pestle or similar crushing device.


• Mixing containers.


• Protective gloves.


• Storage bottles.


• Handouts and/or clear instructions on how to prepare the natural pesticides.

Running this exercise

Step 1 - Create the workgroups

Ask the participants to split up into smaller workgroups - If only 1 type of pesticide is

being made then all the groups can make the same type, but making and trying different

types is better.

Step 2 - Making the sprays

Each group can make their natural pesticide and then store it properly to be used in the

next exercise.

Step 3 - Presentation with feedback and suggestions

After each workgroup has finished, they can present the process and results to the entire

group for feedback and other suggestions.

Step 4 - Collect the sprays for future exercises

Ask the participants to leave the natural pesticides at the workshop space so that they

can be used by the group at the appropriate time.

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