Bug killer diy

Homemade Bug Spray: Natural & Effective Repellent Recipes

Bothered by bugs? Here are 4 homemade bug repellents for your skin—and they take seconds to mix up for an effective everyday spray. Using witch hazel or other simple ingredients, these DIY bug sprays kick those pesky mosquitos and insects to the curb and keep you bite-free. If you prefer not to spray chemicals on your skin, check out these natural recipes using simple pantry ingredients.

Know Thy Enemy

As soon as we step outside, bugs have a way of finding us. Some use the carbon dioxide that we exhale to locate us, others go by scent, body heat, vibrations, or even the colors we wear. For example, deerflies are attracted to CO2, warmth, motion, and dark colors. One way to make yourself less attractive to insects is to avoid using fragrant soaps, lotions, perfume, hairspray, or aftershave. Instead, use scents that block their receptors, making you harder to find.

Mosquitoes hate citronella, lemon eucalyptus, basil, and garlic.
Ants and flies dislike mint, basil, and bay.
Tiny gnats (such as No-See-Ums) are repelled by citronella, lemongrass, and rose geranium.
Ticks and lice avoid lemon eucalyptus and geranium.

→ Learn more about plants that repel mosquitoes and other insects.

Make an All-Purpose Insect Repellent

Since different scents repel different bugs, you can target specific ones or use a combination of oils to make an all-purpose repellent.

Here are four simple homemade bug sprays you can make using essential oils, based on your scent preference:

2 cups witch hazel, ½ tsp. lemongrass or citronella oil, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar.
1 cup isopropyl alcohol, 1 cup water, ½ tsp. catnip oil.
1 cup alcohol or witch hazel and 10-20 drops of essential oils such as lemongrass, peppermint, or lemon eucalyptus.
1 qt. vinegar, ½ tsp. pennyroyal oil, 1 tsp. lemon eucalyptus oil, 1 tsp. orange oil, and 1 tsp. citronella oil.

Herbal Bug Spray

No essential oils on-hand? Use dried or fresh herbs instead. If you can make tea, you can make these concoctions. Keep them in the fridge for a cooling spray.

Here are two herbal recipes:

Steep 2 tbsp each of chopped fresh mint, basil, and lavender leaves in 1 cup boiling water until cooled. Strain, add 1 cup witch hazel and shake.
Boil 1 cup water, add a few cloves and 3-4 tablespoons of dried herbs including peppermint, catnip, and lavender. Mix, cover, cool, and strain. Add 1 cup witch hazel or isopropyl alcohol.

Words of Caution

Be aware that some herbs and oils can be harmful or irritating. Lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of 3 or on pregnant or nursing mothers.
Pregnant women should also avoid pennyroyal.
Test any homemade bug spray for possible allergic reactions before using it more liberally.
Sprays made with vinegar may sting and smell a bit pickle-y until they dry.
Oils may stain clothing.

Label your mixture with its ingredients and store in a dark-colored bottle or keep in a dark spot to prolong its effectiveness.

Do you have a recipe for an effective natural bug repellent? Let us know about it!

See more tips about mosquito repellents and bite remedies.

6 bug sprays for plants |

(Image credit: Getty Images)

While insects are a valuable part of our gardens' ecosystems, sometimes they end up tucking into our vegetable harvests or eating their way through our flower buds before they bloom.

These moments can have us reaching for the insecticides. However, filled with toxic chemicals, commercial insecticides often stand at odds with the sustainable garden ideas that we want our plots to embody.

This is where homemade insect sprays and deterrents come into their own. Created from items you would find in your store cupboard, they are quick and effective ways to ward bugs off your prized plants.

‘Homemade garlic, nettle, soap, tomato and basil sprays are effective against aphids, mites and thrips. The aim is not to kill off all the insects in your garden, but rather aim for a healthy ecosystem,’ says garden expert Leigh Clapp.

Bug sprays – 6 homemade recipes for plants

Homemade bug sprays should only be used as a short term solution – at the same time as treating pests, think of adding other plants to your garden that will encourage insects and animals that prey on the problem bug.

‘Disaster-proof your garden through plant diversity. The wider the range of plants, the less they are plagued by pests, so that if a disease or pest occurs only a limited number of susceptible plants will be affected,’ continues Leigh.

For example, if you want to get rid of slugs, can you attract more birds? If you need to get rid of aphids, could you plant angelica, fennel and dill nearby to attract ladybirds? There are lots of different companion planting ideas that will help you to reduce pests in your plot. By creating a balanced garden, you will find that you have less and less need for bug sprays.

Before using any of these bug sprays on your plants, always do a patch-test. Spray a small amount onto a few leaves of the plant and wait 24 hours to see if there is any damage. Avoid using any foliar sprays during the heat of the day as the exposure to the sun can cause leaf burn.

1. Insecticidal soap

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A popular bug spray for treating a wide range of pests, homemade insecticidal soap, consists of soap, oil and water. Homemade insecticidal soap is often the first port of call for many gardeners as the ingredients are all store cupboard essentials.

To create insecticidal soap combine one cup of vegetable oil with one tablespoon of dishwashing soap or pure Castile liquid soap. For this method, as well as any others that call for dishwashing soap, avoid those that contain a degreaser or bleach as these can cause more harm than good. Use this oil and soap mixture as a concentrate and dilute one teaspoon with two cups of warm water into a spray bottle. Once mixed with water, the solution’s efficacy will only last for a day.

Insecticidal soap is one of the best ways of getting rid of aphids, as well as lacebugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs and thrips.

2. Neem oil bug spray

(Image credit: Getty Images)

An organic insecticide, neem oil has seen a rise in popularity as a method to treat everything from insects through to fungi.

‘Neem oil has been used in India for thousands of years and is a trusted method to keep on top of pests, without any of the nasties,’ explains John Maree, co-owner of OxyPlants . ‘A spray of Neem oil on the tops and undersides of your plant’s leaves will help remove several pests, including mites, whitefly, aphids, thrip, and mealybugs, at every stage in their life cycle. Using neem oil also helps to get rid of powdery mildew, too.’

To use neem oil as a homemade bug spray mix one to two tablespoons of pure, cold-pressed neem oil with a gallon of water. You can also add one to two teaspoons of dish soap to the mix to help the neem oil adhere to the plants.

Alternatively, you can use neem oil as a root soak to treat root rot. Mix one gallon of water with two tablespoons of neem oil and one teaspoons of pure Castile liquid soap (to help the neem oil adhere). Apply a small amount as a test and wait 24 hours. If all is well, then apply two or three cups to the soil around the plant, then continue the treatment as a replacement to the watering cycle.

A benefit of using neem oil over other pesticides is that it doesn't harm birds, pets or beneficial insects. This is because neem oil gets absorbed into the plant’s tissue rather than just sitting on the surface and so only affects any insects that ingest the plant.

3. Vinegar spray

(Image credit: Getty Images)

It seems that there is no end to the abilities of vinegar, especially when you take into account the numerous ways of cleaning with vinegar, but did you know that it can also be used as a bug spray?

One of the easiest homemade bug sprays, simply mix one cup of white vinegar with three cups of water. You can also add half a teaspoon of dishwashing soap to help the solution adhere. Shake thoroughly and apply to the affected areas.

The acetic acid in the vinegar will treat a wide range of garden pests but it requires contact. If you have whitefly eggs be sure to spray under the leaves. Furthermore, white vinegar has a strong odor which has been reported to repel ants and other scent driven pests.

'If you are wanting to treat houseplants with a vinegar spray, try adding a few drops of essential oil or some slices of lemon peel or rosemary sprigs to help temper the vinegar smell,' advises Period Living editor Melanie Griffiths.

4. Garlic spray

(Image credit: Future)

You may have heard that onions and garlic make good companion plants as the scent of their foliage helps to repel aphids, slugs and carrot fly. This spray takes it to the next level.

‘Puree two garlic bulbs with one tablespoon of vegetable oil, let it sit overnight, strain, add one teaspoon of mild liquid soap and four cups of water to fill the spray container,’ recommends Leigh Clapp.

Store this mixture in the fridge until needed. In the evening, spray both sides of the leaves with the spray and then reapply every few days when your plants are suffering with infestation. Alternatively, use every one to two weeks as a deterrent.

If you want to be even more sustainable, why not learn how to grow garlic so that you can have an endless supply of garlic spray – plus extra cloves that you can add to your favorite meals?

5. Tomato leaf spray

(Image credit: merlinpf / Getty Images)

If you’ve ever tried growing tomatoes, you will be familiar with the characteristic scent of their leaves, but did you know that these leaves contain a compound called alkaloid which can be used to create a spray that is toxic to aphids and mites? To make a tomato leaf spray, mix equal quantities of chopped up tomato leaf with water and leave to steep overnight. Let this steep overnight, before straining into a spray bottle and applying to the plant’s leaves.

This is a great way to recycle tomato leaves once you've pruned them – you can learn how to prune tomato plants for a maximum yield.

6. Cinnamon spray

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you’ve ever grown plants in pots, you’ll be familiar with the problem of stray mushrooms. However, this can be easily resolve with a simple cinnamon spray. Mix two teaspoons cinnamon powder into four cups of warm water. Allow this to steep overnight and then strain through a coffee filter and then pour into a spray bottle. Mist the potting soil and plants.

Cinnamon spray is also reported to be an effective treatment to get rid of ants. If you have an ant problem in your pots or want to keep ants away from dining or patio areas, try applying cinnamon oil or powdered cinnamon to create an effective barrier.

What is a natural bug killer for plants?

Vinegar is a really effective natural bug killer for plants. Dilute it 1:1 with water in a spray bottle and spray it over and under the leaves of affected plants. You can also use it around the house to deter bugs inside; the vinegary smell will quickly dissipate.

You can also use a hydrogen peroxide and water solution, which is great when trying to get rid of bugs from houseplant soil.

Which homemade bug spray is best for repelling mosquitoes?

The best homemade bug sprays for repelling mosquitoes are those with a strong smell that mosquitoes hate. Other than citronella, which you are probably already familiar with as a mosquito repellent, they include the following essential oils:

Catnip
Cinnamon bark
Geranium
Lavender
Lemon eucalyptus
Peppermint
Pine
Rosemary

Having graduated with a first class degree in English Literature, Holly started her career as a features writer and sub-editor at Period Living magazine, Homes & Gardens' sister title. Working on Period Living brought with it insight into the complexities of owning and caring for period homes, from interior decorating through to choosing the right windows and the challenges of extending. This has led to a passion for traditional interiors, particularly the country-look. Writing for the Homes & Gardens website as a content editor, alongside regular features for Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors magazines, has enabled her to broaden her writing to incorporate her interests in gardening, wildlife and nature.

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Trap for mosquitoes and midges on the street

Contents:

3.1.3 Overview of the street destroyer of insects NoveEN IKN-24

3.2 Electric Destroyer SWI-20

3.3 LETARISTER “SNIPEP”

3 3 LOVELS GF-4WB 3 Mosquito Trap ANS-A6

3.7 Mosquito Magnet Patriot

4 Aerofrog mosquito trap

5 How to make traps

5. 1 DIY Velcro
5.2 Container trap
5.3 Container trap to reduce mosquitoes

With the onset of warm days, people try to go to summer cottages as often as possible, resting from the bustle of the city. How nice, after frying a barbecue, to have dinner in the summer kitchen! However, the impression of communicating with nature is inevitably spoiled by annoying insects in the form of mosquitoes and midges.

Mosquito traps

They squeak unpleasantly, fly into the eyes and nose. And after such a rest, you have to treat bites so that they do not interfere with sleep.

There are many repellants on the market today to minimize bites. But what to do with the squeak emitted by mosquitoes on the street? And most repellents do not have the proper effect on midges.

Mosquito and midge traps have been designed for this purpose. They can be either electrical or mechanical. And with a little imagination, you can build such a trap with your own hands, saving family money. nine0003

Types of traps

Factory-made traps are designed to lure not only mosquitoes and midges, but also other flying insects, including horseflies and flies.

After all, the bite of a horsefly is much more sensitive than a mosquito and entails more serious consequences. So what are the traps offered to consumers by manufacturers of these devices?

Mosquito Water Trap

An overview of the most popular traps

With the advent of summer, the shelves of hardware stores are filled with a variety of mosquito and midge repellents, which include repellents, fumigators and coils. nine0003

However, the effect of repellents is short-lived, fumigators are effective only indoors and require a supply of plates, and to get rid of bloodsuckers with a spiral, you have to sit near it. Therefore, many land owners prefer to use traps.

Velcro traps

Velcro are the most common and affordable means. Resin-impregnated strips of paper are hung in places where insects accumulate, for example, near a light source. Even hitting the wing, neither a fly, nor a mosquito, and even more so a midge, will not be able to escape from the captivity of this simple device. Such a trap is especially effective against large insects - flies, wasps and horseflies. nine0003

Velcro traps for mosquitoes

Electric traps (insecticide lamps)

These devices are very effective against all types of flying insects and do not harm the environment. But they can only be used if they can be connected to a 220 V electrical network. True, some electric traps can also be powered by a battery or a power bank.

Electric trap effective against insects

There are several types of electric traps. nine0003

Insect killer with fan

With UV lamp. The ultraviolet light emitted by the lamp attracts midges, mosquitoes, horseflies, flies and even wasps.
Insect exterminator with fan. These devices suck insects inward.
Carbon dioxide exterminator. Such devices, releasing carbon dioxide, imitate the heat emanating from mammals, including humans.

All of these traps work on the principle of heat and light, due to which the insects perceive them as living beings. Each of them is equipped with a lamp protected by a fine metal mesh through which an electric current passes. nine0003

Flying up to it, insects are struck by an electric discharge, after which they die. Although the voltage supplied to the grid is safe for humans and animals, it is detrimental to insects.

Ultrasonic generators are one of the modern inventions. They are made in the form of small key fobs that emit ultrasonic signals of various frequencies. You can always carry them in your pocket, which eliminates the need for additional protective equipment.

Insecticide traps

Disposable mosquito traps

These traps come in the form of containers in which bait is placed. At the same time, a liquid substance can act as a bait, getting into which mosquitoes, midges and other insects get wet and cannot get back, or it is a poisonous substance that has a detrimental effect on insects.

A significant disadvantage of such traps is their single use. This means that as the container fills up, it will have to be thrown away. But considering that about 20 thousand mosquitoes can fit in one container, the service life of such a trap is very long. True, by luring horseflies, which are many times larger than mosquitoes and midges, this period will be significantly reduced. nine0003

Mechanical traps

This term refers to self-made traps. The main advantage of such devices is safety, environmental friendliness and the ability to use both outdoors and indoors.

Cut citrus fruit into slices and cover it with a film with small holes

The desire to save money forced people to make their own baits in the form of Velcro and containers filled with poisonous substances. nine0003

Rating of the most effective electric traps

Every summer resident and farm owner wants to protect his territory from the invasion of midges. And various traps can help in this, which not only lure, but also destroy blood-sucking insects.

Noveen Insecticide Lamps

These lamps are made in Poland - high-quality materials, effective work against all small flying spaces. There are lamps for indoors and outdoors with moisture protection. It makes no sense to list the entire range of Noveen insecticidal lamps here, below we present video reviews of several models. nine0003

Electric Mosquito Killer SWI-20

Electric Mosquito Killer SWI-20, made in Switzerland, effectively cleans an area of 250 m² from midges, if it is possible to connect to a 220-240 V network. The destruction of insects occurs when approaching the lamp of the device through grid, which is supplied with voltage that is safe for humans.

Sniper Destroyer Lantern

This lantern is made in China and is made using high quality metal and plastic materials. The principle of its operation is ultraviolet radiation, which attracts all flying insects, including mosquitoes and midges. The ultraviolet lamp of the lantern is protected by a grid, which is supplied with a current that is harmful to insects, but safe for humans. Once in it, the vile dies. nine0003

Sniper Insect Exterminator

This exterminator is waterproof, so it can be used both indoors and outdoors. The detachable leg and top loop allow it to be used along garden paths or suspended from ceilings and walls. This device is non-volatile, since it uses a solar battery as a power source.

GF-4WB Exterminator Trap

This device uses three technologies to attract insects:

GF-4WB flying insect killer trap

simulated human breath;
thermal radiation that simulates the temperature of the human body;
ultraviolet radiation.

The exterminator has a built-in fan that sucks insects as they approach the device into a special mesh located at the bottom of the device.

This trap is not affected by moisture, so it can be used both indoors and outdoors. nine0003

SK 800 Killer

This device is manufactured by the Australian company Smartkiller and is intended for all types of flying insects. It is able to effectively get rid of midges on an area of up to 150 m².

The exterminator uses 3 technologies to attract insects. By mimicking human breathing and body temperature, the device attracts gnats. The built-in fan sucks in mosquitoes and midges inside the device.

SK 800 effective against insects

The operation of the device is possible only if it can be connected to a 220 V electrical network. And since there is no gas cylinder in the trap, it can be used not only on the street, but also in a residential area.

Mosquito Trap ANS-A6

This system is made in the USA and requires a carbon dioxide tank to operate. By releasing gas into the air, preheated to 35-40 degrees, it imitates a large crowd of people. In addition, this device uses an additional bait Octenol. nine0003

Mosquito Trap ANS-A6

Potentially harmful to insects, this insecticide is absolutely harmless to humans and animals. Although the manufacturer guarantees the effective operation of the system on an area of 20 acres, it is able to protect areas twice the declared area from midges.

Mosquito Magnet Patriot System

This device is also made in the USA and can effectively protect an area up to 45 acres from midges. The system runs on propane, which in the process of operation is converted into carbon dioxide, which simulates the heat of the human body. For greater efficiency, the device is equipped with Octenol bait. nine0003

Mosquito Magnet Patriot system against flying gnats

There is also a domestic analogue of electric mosquito traps: the Aerofrog mosquito extermination system. It was created with the support of the TsAGI Aviation Research Center and using their developments in the field of aerodynamics and robotic technologies, which made it possible to significantly improve the suction properties of the trap.

The manufacturers also consulted with specialists from the Martsinovsky Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine in the development of a bait substance - an attractant, which made it possible to attract more insects. In three weeks of operation, the Aerofrog trap can reduce the mosquito population on the working area by 9five%.

Methods for making traps

In order to make your own insect exterminator, you will need improvised materials that are available in almost every home.

DIY Velcro

This shredder is made of thick paper cut into strips. Further, these strips are processed with an adhesive mass, which is represented by various compositions.

For the preparation of the first composition, the following ingredients are required:

rosin;
castor oil;
turpentine;
sugar.

Another composition can be used as an adhesive mass, for which you will need:

wax;

linseed oil;

honey.

Such a mass can also be made from other components, which are:

glycerin; nine0318
honey;
rosin;
vaseline.

To prepare the composition, all substances are placed in a bowl and melted in a water bath, and then thoroughly mixed. After the mass has cooled slightly, paper strips are smeared with it, on top of which threads are glued.

Ready-made velcro can now be hung in rooms where insects tend to accumulate, or outdoors, for example, in the summer kitchen.

Container trap

This insect killer is made from a plastic bottle. nine0003

Do-it-yourself trap-container from midges

The neck of a 1.5 liter bottle is cut off. In this case, the third part of the bottle is cut off.
A composition prepared by mixing a glass of warm water, 50 g of sugar and 1 g of yeast is poured inside.
A funnel obtained from the upper cut-off part is lowered into the container with liquid, neck down and pressed tightly.
The container is wrapped in thick dark paper and placed in places where insects are most concentrated. nine0318

Such an exterminator is very popular among summer residents. True, fermented jam is usually poured inside the bottle. If such bottles are hung on trees, plantings can be protected from pests.

How can such an exterminator get rid of midges, mosquitoes and horseflies? As you know, all blood-sucking insects flock to the heat emanating from mammals. In the process of fermentation of the composition of water, sugar and yeast, carbon dioxide will begin to be released.

Insects will flock to it, crawling into the opening of the funnel, and falling into a sticky mass, which will become the last refuge for both mosquitoes and horseflies. nine0003

Important! For the effective operation of the exterminator, it is necessary to ensure that the joints between the container itself and the funnel do not allow air to pass through. In order for insects to crawl into the funnel, carbon dioxide must only come out of it.

Mosquito reduction trap

Mosquitoes and midges are known to breed in water. Based on this principle, it is possible to make a more sophisticated exterminator that will allow female insects to lay eggs, but will not allow grown offspring to get out. nine0003

To do this, take any plastic bottle, preferably large capacity, so that the water does not have time to evaporate. The neck of the bottle is cut off, and four holes are drilled: two from the top - for attaching the handle, and two just below - for overflowing excess water. To create the effect of a dark reservoir, the bottle is painted black.

Container trap how to do it right

A wire is inserted into the holes for the handle, and the holes for draining water are protected by screens made from window screen scraps. nine0003

The neck of the bottle should be wrapped with a black cloth, which can be a sock, preferably a fleecy one. In this case, not only the outer part of the neck is wrapped, but also the inner one. Now a window mesh screen should be glued to the neck.

Mosquito and midge exterminator ready for use. It remains to fill it with water. It should be remembered that it is blooming water that attracts insects, so it must be rainy. When tap water is used, some cut grass is thrown into it.