Even if you're not a gardener, you may have encountered plant-killing aphids, or plant lice, on plants near your home — I know I have. It turns out that you needn't be creeped out by these crawlers for long; you can make a simple, organic homemade spray to kick them to the curb. A tomato leaf spray works because the alkaloids in the leaves of the tomato plant, when mixed with water, are toxic to the little buggies, but still safe for you and your plants. You can also make a garlic oil spray, which contains sulfur, which is also toxic to aphids. But, since it kills all types of insects, even good ones (such as natural predators of aphids, like ladybugs), I don't recommend it.

To learn how to make tomato leaf spray, read more.

Supplies:

  • One to two cups of tomato leaves
  • Four cups of water
  • A strainer or cheesecloth
  • Spray bottle

Here's how, from About.com:

  1. Chop the tomato leaves
  2. Then, steep them in two cups of water overnight.
  3. Strain out the leaves with your strainer or cheescloth.
  4. Add another two cups of water to the liquid you were left with.
  5. Put it in your spray bottle.
  6. Spray the stems and the foliage of your infested plant, particularly the underside.

Source