Both plants normally have only one stem, so it's likely that you are seeing more than one plant per pot. I would use scissors to snip off all but the most healthy/largest plant in the pot at the soil line. Also, what are the white spots on the jalapeño leaves? I would guess it is either residue from some chemical spray or some kind of mildew. Neither is good.

I've never had to use any insecticide on peppers.

I've already had issues with pests so I'm just trying to beat them to it

You can grow two peppers in the same spot. Farmers almanac recommends it. Most do not though.

So before I do it, for sure cut the okra seedlings from 3 in one spot down to the tallest, strongest one?

You can grow 2 in one pot IF the pot is big enough and IF the plants are separate plants. Yours is not and they have already grown together Yes, snip 2 of the okra plants off at the soil line and keep the best one.

The plants were intended to be separated prior to you planting them - sort of a 2 for 1 bargain pot. But its too late now so all you can do is snip one off as Ohiofem said.

It seems like a good idea to new gardeners but trying to prevent pests by using pesticides is never recommended. That is true for both organic and synthetic pesticides. Not only doesn't it work but it can damage the plants and most importantly, it kills the beneficial bugs that could control the bad guys. So exactly what pest problems have you had and is DE a listed pesticide for them?

Dave

Diatomaceous Earth DE is a harmless substance which works by physical means to kill and repel pests. While the word Pesticide sounds bad, a pesticide can be as simple as a concoction of soapy water. "A pesticide is any substance used to kill, repel, or control certain forms of plant or animal life that are considered to be pests." DE is not a systemic treatment and is not absorbed by the plants.

DE is harmless to humans. It is frequently given in farm animal feed for deworming. Can be used on carpets for fleas, beds for bed bugs, pets for fleas, and consumed via liquid for human deworming/and health benefits. You do want to avoid breathing it in, as the microscopic particles can damage lung tissue, but simply don't create a dust cloud and breath it in. Think of it as a fine powder that while harmless to humans, it cuts up the exoskeleton on an insect and they die.

I use it all the time via a duster when I have pest issues on my veggie garden. It is just about the safest thing to use, right along with soapy water. It is not absorbed by plants and rinses away easily with water. I usually dust my veggies and let water and rain rinse off the dust over a day or two. Yes it will kill beneficial bugs, but it will be rinsed off quickly and provides little long-term impact.

'DE is a harmless pesticide which works by physical means to kill and repel pests.' The point is that DE kills all insects. It does not differentiate between pest species and beneficials. It will kill a bee or a lady bug just as efficiently as a flee beetle or an earwig. So it is best not to use it until there is a definite problem to cure. Some pests will be dealt with by their natural predators if one can just hold off from the desire to deal with a problem the moment it appears. Aphids, for example, are often cleared up by ladybugs if one just gives them a few days to get to work.

DE can be applied to subdue the infestation, then rinsed off with a hose. My point is that it is harmless to humans and your veggies. To each his own. To the OP, DE is an excellent choice for pest control. Just use it when you need it.