Will Chili Powder Kill Grass?

Chili powder is a spice that comes from plants: It won’t kill your grass if you put some on your lawn. It will make animals want to stay away, though, including rodents and bugs. That’s because it has a chemical called capsaicin in it, and that’s the stuff that makes hot peppers hot.

If you want to use chili powder to keep away critters, it’s a good idea not to use too much, but that’s just because you don’t want to kill the worms. Worms are actually good for your grass! Dilute the chili powder by putting a couple of tablespoons into a gallon of water, then spray it on your lawn. Just be sure to keep your pets away from the grass wherever you’ve sprayed, or else they’ll get a nasty, painful surprise when they start sniffing around.