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Bug repellent for plants


6 bug sprays for plants |

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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: 

Having graduated with a first class degree in English Literature four years ago, 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. 

5 Homemade Pesticides: Soap Sprays for Plants

There is no magic bullet for keeping your garden and indoor plants free from insect pests. Some tricks I have learned over the years are ways to cope with bugs without resorting to nasty chemicals. Here are my tips, including homemade insecticidal sprays (soap sprays).

Pay Attention to Your Plants

Before resorting to using pesticides (even organic ones), consider the following techniques to discourage insect pests from attacking your plants:


These aphids have done some damage, but don't spray if you see the black and orange alligator-like ladybug larvae attacking them. He will do the dirty work for you by eating up to 50 aphids a day!

5 Organic Pesticide Sprays for Insects

If you have exhausted all these methods and feel you must resort to using a spray, don't reach for harsh chemicals. They will do more harm than good by polluting the watershed, killing good and bad bugs alike, and eventually the insects you are trying to kill may grow resistant to those chemicals requiring you to use even stronger ones! They can also harm birds, animals, you, and your children!

Try a more natural approach by making one of these homemade insecticidal sprays. Bear in mind that although they are less toxic they are not totally harmless. Keep them away from kids and pets. Test them on a few leaves before you go all in to make sure they won't injure your plants. Be sure never to spray them on your plants during the sunny, hot part of the day or they will definitely cause foliar damage. Spray in the evening, when bees and other pollinators are not active.

  1. Dish Soap Spray: Dissolve 1 tablespoon of a mild liquid soap such as a pure dish soap (no bleach, degreaser, or detergents added) or castile soap in 1 quart of water. Dr. Bronner's soap may be expensive, but it uses no animal fats, which makes it a good choice for vegans. Insecticidal soaps are good for killing soft-bodied insects. Be sure to cover the whole plant—both sides of the leaves and on the stems. Soap sprays only work when wet, so they will need to be reapplied every 4-7 days or until you notice that populations have decreased. After a few applications, if rain hasn't done this for you, spray the plants with plain water to rinse off any soapy residue.
     
  2. Oil Spray: Mix 1 cup of vegetable oil with 1 tablespoon of mild liquid soap. Add 2-8 teaspoons of this mixture to 1 quart of water and spray your plants as above. The oil in this spray smothers the insects so it is effective on aphids, thrips, mites, and scale. 
     
  3. Tomato Leaves Insecticide: The leaves of tomatoes contain solanine and tomatine and can be used as an insecticide. Soak 2 cups of fresh leaves in 1 quart of water overnight. Strain and spray. It kills aphids and many types of chewing insects, but also attracts beneficials. Don't use it on other nightshades like eggplants, peppers, or potatoes because it could spread disease from plant to plant.
     
  4. Garlic Repellent Spray: Despite all you've read, garlic acts as more of a repellent than a killer. Puree 2 bulbs of garlic with 1 cup of water and let sit overnight. Strain the liquid into a quart jar, add 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon liquid soap, and fill the jar the rest of the way with water. Put one cup in a 1 quart sprayer, fill with water and apply to your affected plants. It is good for repelling aphids, cabbage worms, leaf hoppers, squash bugs, and whiteflies.
     
  5. Hot Pepper Repellent Spray: Hot pepper is also a good repellent and works on rabbits and deer as well as many insects. Mix 1 tablespoon dried chile powder, 1 quart of water, and 1 teaspoon of mild soap. Spray full strength on the plants under attack.
    If you have lots of hot peppers growing in your garden, you can make a fresh concoction from 1/2 cup chopped peppers pureed in 1 cup of water. Add the puree to 1 quart of water and bring to a boil. Let sit until cool and then strain. Add 1 teaspoon mild soap and spray full strength on plants. You might want to wear gloves when working with this spray and be sure not to get it into your eyes!

Many other plants have been reported to have insecticidal qualities, including hyssop, lettuce leaves, onions, pennyroyal, peppermint, and radish leaves. 

There is no one-size fits all when it comes to pest management. At best we can try to maintain a healthy balance of good guys and bad guys and still get some decent produce for us!

Now that we've learned how to minimize insect pests, let's tackle weeds. Here are tips on coping with weeds, including 5 Homemade Herbicides.

Insecticides - insect control preparations

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Insecticides - insect control products

If you have a garden, you will always have pests and unwanted insects which can damage plants or destroy crops. Insecticides are designed to help you control pests, make your garden safer, and preserve your crops and quality.

In any garden or garden there will always be pests and unwanted insects that can damage plants and destroy crops. Insecticides are designed to help people control pests, make the garden safer, and preserve the crop and its quality.
Insecticides are preparations used to control insect pests. Without them, in modern conditions, an intact and high-quality crop, as well as a generally healthy garden, is extremely difficult to grow.

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Insecticides according to the mode of action are divided into contact and systemic.

Most systemic insecticides are applied by foliar spraying, the rest are applied to the soil from which they are absorbed by the roots and then moved to the stems and leaves. Some preparations, when applied to the soil, also control soil pests. An example of such an insecticide is AKTARA ® .

There are several factors to consider when choosing between a systemic and contact insecticide.

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Plant pest control: 5 proven products

What means to choose to really work and be safe for humans? Let's talk today in this article.

From early spring to late autumn, plants in the country are attacked by all kinds of pests. In the fight against herbivorous "predators", some summer residents use chemicals and do not even suspect that, together with the enemies, they are destroying the soil, beneficial insects and animals. Let's talk about 5 proven pest control products and explain how to use them.

Remember! When dealing with pests, it is important not to destroy beneficial insects!

Fitoverm insecticide

    Experienced gardeners consider it one of the best. Russian biopreparation of the latest generation. Suitable for the destruction of most pests on vegetable, fruit and berry crops in the open field and in greenhouses. Effective in the fight against more than 20 types of insects: Colorado potato beetle, aphids, thrips, codling moth, sawfly, leafworm, herbivorous mites, nematodes, mealy worms, etc.

    The agent in the form of a clear liquid must be diluted with water (1 ml / 1 l). Consumption depends on the type of plants and the degree of infection. For example, for the destruction of the Colorado potato beetle, 4 ml is required, processing of tomatoes - 10 ml, cabbage - 14 ml of "Fitoverm" per 100 m2. The remains of the solution are thrown away, as are the gloves in which the work was carried out. All work is carried out in the early morning or late evening.

    To prevent direct sunlight from burning plants, the treatment is best done in the morning or evening.

    The product must not be mixed with other pesticides. You need to work with him in dry calm weather. The result appears after 6-8 hours indoors and 8-16 hours outdoors. For humans, "Fitoverm" is harmless, but it is better to wait 72 hours before eating the fruits of the processed plant.

    • Advantages : no chemicals, does not affect fruits, safe for humans, large selection of packaging (from 2 ml to 5 l), suitable for many crops.
    • Cons : strong unpleasant smell, easily washed off by rain, does not mix with other products, can harm beneficial insects, short protection period.

    Aktara insecticide

    Universal remedy for most pests. Fast-acting Swiss remedy against insect pests and their larvae. Suitable for almost all plants and crops in the country. Available in the form of a liquid concentrate, water-soluble granules and tablets. The finished solution of the drug is applied under the root during irrigation, sprayed onto plants, seedlings are soaked in it, seeds and tubers are treated before planting.


    "Aktara" is effective in the fight against weevils, flea beetles, Colorado potato beetles, thrips, bedbugs and other pests. The substance is deadly for bees, so it is not suitable for owners or neighbors of bee apiaries. For humans, the drug is harmless, because. the substance does not accumulate in the fruits of plants.

    Processing is recommended to be carried out in the late evening. The drug begins to act after 4-6 hours. Protection lasts 2-3 weeks after spraying or 1.5-2 months after application to the soil. "Aktar" can be combined with other insecticides.

    • Advantages of : odorless, choice of formulations, almost universal, economical consumption, 2 hours after treatment does not wash off with rain.
    • Cons : Very toxic to bees.

    Bitoxibacillin

    An insecticide with a "live" composition, known since the 80s of the last century. Its uniqueness is that it does not contain an active substance. The basis of the drug is bacterial spores, deadly to pests. Available in powder form and packaged in bags of 10-100 grams.

    The maximum toxicity falls on the most dangerous pests: the Colorado potato beetle, codling moth, spider mite. The drug seriously reduces the fertility of females, thereby reducing the viability of subsequent generations. But the drug does not work on the eggs of insect pests.

    Before spraying, the powder is diluted in water, and low-fat milk is added to improve the effect. On the second day after treatment, a decrease in the number of pests is observed, and a week later - their complete disappearance. The product does not harm bees and other beneficial insects. The protective action lasts more than 20 days.

    • Pros : does not accumulate in plants, can be used during the flowering period, long period of action, 100% pest control, safe for bees.
    • Cons : unpleasant odor, does not work on insect eggs, washed off by rain, ineffective against aphids.

    Etisso Blattlaus Sticks

    German fertilizer in the form of sticks nourishes plants and reliably protects them from all types of harmful insects: aphids, whiteflies, weevil, scale insects, mites, leaf lice, etc.

    The sticks are placed at a distance of 6-8 cm from the stem of the plant at a depth of 5 cm, and then sprinkled with earth. The active ingredient of the product dissolves during watering, is absorbed by the roots and is transported through the juice throughout the entire ground part of the plant.

    The first results are noticeable after a few days. The effect of protection and at the same time nutrition lasts for 6-8 weeks - during this time the sticks completely dissolve in the ground.

    • Pros : double action, ready to use, long lasting protection.
    • Cons : more suitable for decorative and flower crops, relatively high price.

    Protective Spray LeafCoat BioBizz

    Dutch pest control product with natural latex in the composition. When spraying plants, latex forms a thin protective layer on their vegetative part, which nourishes the leaves and protects them from pest attacks. Light and air freely penetrate through the latex. Such protection on plants lasts about 2 weeks.


    LeafCoat BioBizz is an organic product and is an environmentally friendly alternative to pesticides. It not only repels pests, but also prevents the appearance of mold on plants. It is recommended to spray the product early in the morning or late in the evening, but in no case in active daylight.

    • Pros : finished product, pleasant smell, versatile.
    • Cons : short term, relatively high cost.

    Let's summarize what you need for pest control

    1. Fitoverm Insecticide is worth choosing if you need the fastest possible destruction of pests in open and closed ground. Not suitable for humid climates and use in rainy weather. It is applied by spraying. Has a strong unpleasant odor.
    2. Insecticide Aktara is an excellent remedy against insect pests, but only when there are no bees nearby (for them the drug is extremely toxic). The substance is sprayed or applied under the root. Doesn't wash off with rain. Does not accumulate in fruits. Has a neutral smell.
    3. Bitoxibacillin effectively kills pests, reduces the fertility of females, reduces the viability of future generations. Does not kill insect eggs and has little effect on aphids.
    4. Etisso Blattlaus-Sticks are more suitable for flower and ornamental crops. Nourishes and at the same time protects plants from pests. Suitable for the destruction of all types of insects. Do not require preliminary preparation and preparation.
    5. LeafCoat BioBizz Spray is a highly organic product with a pleasant scent. It fights not only with pests, but also is a prevention of the development of mold on plants. Forms a latex film on the leaves, which easily passes air and light. The protection lasts about 2 weeks.

    We wish you a great harvest!


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