How to make garlic spray for plants – [Recipe]

The homemade garlic spray is a preferred option by many gardeners. It helps them fight off aphids, snails and sink bugs infestations. Of course, there are a couple of other options for homemade pesticides, which you can check out and test, but now we are going to concentrate on garlic spray.

You will find this useful if:

• You are a beginner gardener;
• You are dealing with an aphid infestation;
• You just want to have some protection against garden pests.

What you’ll need to make a garlic spray for plants

All recipes begin with the ingredients and tools that you are going to need, and this one is no different. Here is what you’ll have to get in order to make a garlic wash to deter slugs and treat aphids:

Needed items:

• Garlic – 6 cloves to a bulb;
• Hot water – two litters;
• Sieve;
• Mixing container;
• Garden sprayer – 2L (or bigger, but you should increase the dose of garlic).

How to make garlic spray for plants

Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to get to work and actually make your own natural garlic insecticide. It’s nothing complicated, you just need to keep in mind the proportions.

Steps:

1. Peel the garlic cloves and blend or crush them into a puree.
2. Mix the garlic paste with some hot water in a container and cover it with a lid or plastic wrap.
3. Leave the mixture to steep overnight.
4. Next morning you can strain the liquid, so the pieces of garlic don’t clog the nozzle of your sprayer.
5. Pour your fresh batch of garlic spray into your garden sprayer and you are ready for action.
6. Spray flowers, veggies and fruits attacked by vermin.

How to apply garlic spray on your plants

It is best if you spray your plants in the evening. Use your trusty sprayer and spray the plants from a distance of around 20cm. It is very important to cover the top and bottom of the leaves, because usually aphids, and other insects, lay their eggs under them. If you are dealing with an infestation, you should re-apply the garlic spray for aphids every few days. And always re-spray your plants after a rainy day. If the plants are not infested, and you simply wish to deter potential threats, spray them once a week.

What you can add to your garlic spray to make it even more effective

Some people prefer to add some extra ingredients, so their homemade pesticide becomes more versatile and treats more pests. Such additives are mint and liquid soap. Gardeners use soap-based bug spray on its own to treat different infestations. However, combining two recipes into one may better the effectiveness of the solution. Another popular addition to this mixture is cayenne pepper or chilli flakes. The pepper helps with deterring some birds and rodents. Squirrels, for instance, can’t handle spicy food well, so they back off when they sense some heat in their meal.

Homemade pesticides are not something that guarantees eradication of pests. In gardening, you can treat a couple of plants and rid them of different pests, however, when it comes to home infestations you should contact a professional. At least call in for an inspection, if you suspect that pests are invading your personal space. Sometimes when trying out different DIY pest control methods, it gives the critters enough time to set up nests and reproduce, which essentially makes getting rid of them harder in the end.

Takeaways

• You can always add ingredients to make you homemade insect spray better;
• Remember to keep your spray in the fridge;
• Spray in the evening;
• Re-apply the spray after a couple of days or after rain.

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Have you ever tried a garlic garden spray solution? Did it worked? Share your experience below!

• Last update: August 19, 2020

Posted in Garden Advice, Insect Infestations, Pest Problems

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