How to Get Rid of Animal Pests With Hot Pepper Spray

#  Understand how the spray works. Hot peppers have a compound in them called capsaicin. Mammals are sensitive to capsaicin, and the compound registers on their taste buds as "hot" and serves as an irritant. This spray is considered to be effective for such garden animal pests as deer, rabbits, voles, squirrels, possums and insects.[[Image:Get Rid of Animal Pests With Hot Pepper Spray Step 1.jpg|center]]
#  Take one quart (950ml) of water and put it in a pot.[[Image:Get Rid of Animal Pests With Hot Pepper Spray Step 2.jpg|center]]
#  Take one-half cup of dried hot peppers (available at most Asian groceries), and put them in the pot.[[Image:Get Rid of Animal Pests With Hot Pepper Spray Step 3.jpg|center]]
#  Bring the pot of water and peppers to just barely boiling. Then turn off the heat and let it cool to room temperature.[[Image:Get Rid of Animal Pests With Hot Pepper Spray Step 4.jpg|center]]
#  Strain out the peppers and throw them away.[[Image:Get Rid of Animal Pests With Hot Pepper Spray Step 5.jpg|center]]
#  Put the liquid into a spray bottle. Label it so that anyone coming across it knows what the contents are; it's also a good idea to add the date to it.[[Image:Get Rid of Animal Pests With Hot Pepper Spray Step 6.jpg|center]]
#*For added sticking power, you might like to add a few drops of pure dish soap to the liquid as well.
#  Spray it on the plants you want to protect. Always wear gloves and eye protection before using this spray––it can burn your skin and eyes if it touches them and it's painful. Be sure to spray the entire plant, for full protection.[[Image:Get Rid of Animal Pests With Hot Pepper Spray Step 7.jpg|center]]
#*Shake before using.
#*Use the spray early morning or in the evening––if sprayed in the heat of the day, it may burn the plants.<ref name="org">http://organicgardeningweb.com/Recipe%20book/Pesticide%20Recipes/Hot%20Pepper.htm</ref>
#*If you're not sure how sensitive plants will cope, test a small area first. Wait four days and if the plant doesn't react, then using the spray on it should be okay.<ref name="org"></ref>
#*Do not spray this on windy days. The back spray may hit you or go anywhere but on the plants you're trying to protect.
#*As mentioned earlier, do not spray anywhere near waterways, lakes or ponds.
#  Re-spray every week for maximum benefit. It will also need to be reapplied after rain.[[Image:Get Rid of Animal Pests With Hot Pepper Spray Step 8.jpg|center]]