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Natural plant bug spray recipe


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.

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

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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. 

How to Make Homemade Insect Spray » Inventions and DIY

The number of known species of insects in Russia is estimated to be over 80,000. Some of them are beneficial and some are dangerous to humans. We view some insects as pests, and many homeowners resort to using harmful chemicals to eliminate them.

However, there are also ways to make homemade bug spray, which is a natural alternative to commercial sprays.

Here we have listed eleven recipes that use homemade products and essential oils to make a natural insect repellent spray to prevent bugs.

Goods for inventors Link to the store.

Contents

How to Make Homemade Bug Spray: 11 Sticky Bug Sprays

1. Citronella Essential Oil and Lemongrass Homemade Bedbug Spray

Citronella extracts are the first effective active ingredients used in mosquito repellents. Citronella is an Asian herb that people use for natural remedies. Because it has the fragrant properties of the material, many believe that its chemistry is responsible for its effectiveness as a repellant.

DIY electronics in Chinese shop.

Citronella Lemongrass Insect Repellent Spray Recipe
  • 10 drops Citronella Essential Oil
  • 10 drops of lemongrass essential oil
  • 8 tablespoons of water
  • 8 tablespoons witch hazel
  • 1 clean spray bottle

Citronella is a classic bug spray that many people love. It protects against mosquitoes and insects, but some of its properties may also limit its effectiveness. For example, it quickly evaporates after spraying. Also, you may need to reapply the mixture for it to work well.

2. DIY tea tree oil spray

Tea tree oil is another versatile essential oil that exists on the planet. You can use it to maintain healthy skin, nails and hair. Many researchers have found that it also kills various bacteria and viruses. Its benefits don't stop there; it is also one of the best oils for repelling mosquitoes and other insects.

Tea Tree Mosquito Repellent Recipe
  • 1 clean empty spray bottle
  • 10 drops of pure tea tree essential oil
  • 1½ cups fresh water

To make your natural bug spray repellant, mix all of the ingredients listed above and spray on your skin before leaving the house to keep dead bodies away.

Lavender essential oils are active moth, flea and mosquito repellants. It is safe for humans, some animals and various plant species. You can easily create your own insect repellant.

DIY Lavender Mistake Spray Recipe
  • 1 Empty Spray Bottle
  • 7-8 drops undiluted lavender essential oil
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 cup fresh water

Combine all the ingredients to make a homemade bug spray recipe, shake it well in a spray bottle and spray all over your home. You can also use it as a natural insect repellant that you can keep in your pocket for personal use.

4. Peppermint oil for insect repellent

The use of peppermint essential oil is not limited to aromatherapy. It can also scare away stinky insects, rodents, and other creepy creeps that walk the ground. It works like a natural bug spray because most bugs don't like the smell of mint.

Mint Spray Recipe
  • 1 Empty Glass Spray Bottle
  • 10 drops undiluted peppermint essential oil
  • ½ cup witch hazel
  • 1½ cups fresh water

Mix water and witch hazel in an aerosol can and add peppermint oil. Finally, shake the mixture, and voila! You now have a homemade bug spray that you can use to prevent bug bites.

5. Grape or olive oil and vodka insect spray

Some vegetable and plant oils contain natural insecticidal properties. These plant-based oils include grape seed, jojoba, almond, olive oil, and neem. If you have one or two of these oils, you can use them to create a natural bug spray.

Vegetable Oil Insect Spray
  • 1 tablespoon of one or any combination of grape, olive, jojoba, neem or almond oil
  • 1 tablespoon vodka
  • 50 drops essential oil (optional)
  • 1 glass atomizer

Mix one or any of the vegetable oils listed above with vodka in a spray bottle. Add essential oils if you want to make the mixture stronger. Shake the mixture well and your homemade bug spray is ready to be sprayed! Always shake before use and reapply as needed.

6. Use geranium essential oil

According to the published journal Agricultural and Food Chemistry (... ), rose geranium essential oil is a very powerful insect repellent. If you have pets or live in a tick-prone area, consider adding geranium essential oil to your insect repellent kit.

Powerful Homemade Geranium Essential Oil Insect Spray Recipe
  • 1 clean empty spray bottle
  • 10 drops pure rose geranium essential oil
  • 1½ cups of water

For your bug spray, mix all of the ingredients listed above and spray in small amounts because it's incredibly powerful. If you plan on spraying it on your pets, avoid their face, their abdomen, if they have open sores, or if they tend to lick their bodies.

7. Coconut oil and citronella - insect repellant

According to the USDA or USDA, some coconut oil compounds are more effective at controlling bugs and bugs better than the synthetic chemicals found in commercial bug sprays. As USDA scientists emphasized, acids derived from coconut oil have a strong repellent effect on blood-sucking insects, beetles and mites (...).

Natural insect spray: recipe for coconut and citronella
  • 4 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 4 tablespoons witch hazel
  • 35 drops of citronella essential oil
  • 150 ml atomizer

Pour the ingredients into the spray bottle. Close the lid and shake the mixture. After mixing the essential oil blend, your natural insect repellent spray is ready to use. Shake the bottle before use.

8. Essential oil of lemon and eucalyptus inhibits bugs

Lemon-eucalyptus oil comes from a tree called eucalyptus gum. Like picaridin, a substance found in commercial bug sprays, lemon eucalyptus does not act as a true insect repellant, but as a mask to keep insects, such as mosquitoes, from reaching the target.

Both lemon eucalyptus and picaridin have potential side effects such as skin irritation. And because of the potentially harmful effects, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the latter is not safe for use with toddlers—children under the age of three.

Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Spray Recipe
  • 15 drops Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons witch hazel

Mix all the ingredients, pour into a clean spray bottle and your homemade sprayer is ready. Reapply four hours after evaporation.

9. Apple cider vinegar

Fruit flies are one of the most annoying bugs in the world. They can sometimes be tricky, but with the right ingredients, you can get rid of them quickly.

A cider vinegar and dish soap trap recipe
  • Small bowl or one-time party
  • 1 ½ cups apple cider vinegar
  • 3 drops of dish soap

This recipe will be useful in your home, especially in the kitchen. To be able to use for homemade fly repellents, pour apple cider vinegar into a bowl and add dish soap. Place the mixture in a corner next to fruits or vegetables and leave for 24 hours.

Flies will instinctively dive and drown. To use apple cider vinegar as a spray, add one cup of water and pour all the ingredients into a spray bottle. Spray in an area where it is frequently flown.

10. Get rid of the bugs with onion, garlic and cayenne pepper

If you need a natural insect repellent spray for your garden and don't have essential oils for outdoor use, you can still make an insect repellent spray that is chemical free. substances and commercial pesticides.

Organic homemade insect spray for your garden
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • ½ medium onion
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon organic liquid soap or biodegradable dish soap
  • 1 cup mint leaves
  • 1 ½ to 2 liters of water

First chop the mint, garlic, onion and cayenne pepper. Strain the mixture and place it in a 2 liter bottle or a clean old vinegar container. Add soap and water to the mixture and shake well. Spray this insect repellant on any garden plants that are susceptible to insect attack. Spritz in your garden once or twice a week.

11. Essential Oil Insect Repellent Spray

If you find it difficult to choose a specific essential oil to use in your insect repellent spray due to the many benefits of each, you can mix them. Here we have created several essential oils that can be safely combined.

Ultimate Essential Oil Spray Recipe
  • 15 drops of citronella essential oil
  • 10 drops of lemon and eucalyptus essential oil
  • 10 drops lavender essential oil
  • 15 drops of geranium essential oil
  • 5 drops rosemary essential oil
  • ½ tablespoon alcohol
  • 4 tablespoons natural witch hazel
  • 4 tablespoons of water or vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon vegetable glycerin (optional)
  • 1 glass atomizer

Mix all essential oils into a clean bottle. Add alcohol and shake well to mix. Then pour in the witch hazel and vegetable glycerin, if available.

Shake the mixture. Finally, add vinegar or water and shake again. Your natural bug spray is ready to use. Remember to mix it before every use.

Why use homemade insect sprays?

The bug spray recipes we listed above only take a few seconds. In addition, it is safe and free of toxins compared to commercially available insect repellent sprays that contain harmful substances such as DEET. DEET is short for N-Diethyl-Meta-Toluamide. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) found that this chemical has side effects, including neuronal changes in areas of the brain that control learning, memory, concentration, and movement. Using homemade insect sprays, you do not risk yourself and your family with harmful substances ( .. ).

We hope you have learned a lot from this article. In addition to removing bad smell from shoes in the closet or oily smell after cooking, you can now use your essential oils and other household products to avoid mistakes!

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Homemade Insect Repellent Spray: Natural Recipes for Skin, Home and Plants

Not everyone is comfortable using synthetic chemicals and pesticides to repel insects. Many are turning to natural, eco-friendly insect repellants, and homemade insect repellant sprays are an easy solution. Usually they are not only safe for humans, but generally effective.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the natural ingredients that can help keep puppies alive and how you can use those ingredients to make your own bug spray.

content

Which natural ingredients help repel insects?

Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires most skin-applied products to be registered as safe and effective for humans, the agency has also listed several natural ingredients as pesticides with minimal risk.

It is important to note that while these ingredients are safe for humans, EPA does not evaluate their effectiveness.

Here are some popular natural ingredients that can help repel insects in your home and yard.

Citrus oils

Citronella and citrus oils such as limonene are popular and well known insect repellents. Research suggests that citronella helps repel mosquitoes and may be effective against kissing beetles, fleas, aphids, mites, and flies.

Garlic oil

Straining suggests that garlic oil may help repel mites. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites garlic oil as a natural tick repellent for use in backyards and gardens.

Thyme Essential Oil

A 2005 study suggests that thyme essential oil helps repel mosquitoes. However, thyme oil is not considered safe for the skin unless it is diluted.

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil

A 2016 review concluded that Lemon Eucalyptus Oil is an effective natural mosquito repellant. In addition, according to the CDC, products containing lemon eucalyptus oil are effective against mosquitoes.

Lemon eucalyptus oil should not be confused with lemon eucalyptus essential oil, which is not effective at repelling mosquitoes.

Essential oil of dill

Want to keep bed bugs away? One study he came to the conclusion that dill effectively repels cockroaches. However, the oil must be diluted before being applied to the skin.

cinnamon oil

If mosquitoes are a major problem, cinnamon oil may be a good option. One study concluded that cinnamon oil helps repel mosquitoes both in the lab and outdoors. Learn More Cinnamon Cinnamon oil can also be an effective tool for killing mosquito larvae.

However, cinnamon oil can cause skin reactions, so be sure to dilute it before applying to the body or continue to use in the yard.

Lavender essential oil

Lavender oil is not only good for relaxation and sleep. May be effective in repelling mosquitoes. In addition, lavender is generally considered safe for topical use without dilution.

Peppermint Oil

Research suggests that peppermint oil also kills and repels mosquitoes. Plus another study concluded that pepper oil can also be effective in preventing spiders.

Safety Tips

Many of these ingredients are considered natural and safe for humans. However, it is important to remember that not all essential oils are safe for topical use. If you plan on using essential oils on your skin, you may need to dilute them with oil.

Some essential oils such as citrus can be used. phototoxic when applied directly to the skin. This means that sun exposure can cause severe burns and even skin cancer.

Homemade Mosquito Skin Spray Recipe

When it comes to an insect repellent spray recipe that is safe for your skin, be sure to choose essential oils that are safe and effective for topical use.

For a light and natural mosquito repellent for your skin, you will need the following:

Then proceed as follows:

Homemade bug spray recipe for home or yard

You can also make homemade bug spray to use in your home or yard. Remember, although many essential oils are safe and effective against insects, this does not mean that they are safe for topical use.

For the manufacture of a spray from insects in the room and on the street you will need the following: