Natural Bug Sprays for Controlling Garden Pests

For those of us who have the opportunity to own a garden and tend to its needs, it comes as a shock to see when our beloved plants are being devoured by insects. Some insects can benefit us, others – to be a complete nightmare. Experienced hobby and professional gardeners quickly learn which creepy crawlers might be of help and which to purge with an insect spray.

However, store-bought products may not solve every existing pest in your green space. In some cases, treating a couple of plants with a natural pesticide could be more beneficial than bombarding the entire garden with chemicals.

Today, we will discuss some of the most popular homemade bug spray recipes. You’ll learn which of them are best against specific yet common garden pests and how to properly use the solutions.

This post is for you if:

• You are a hobby gardener, and you looking for ways to get rid of garden pests;
• You have flowers in your backyard;
• You produce veggies in your own garden;
• You are searching for natural pesticides;

Garlic bug spray against garden pests

The garlic bug spray is effective against aphids and can be used to deter snails and mosquitos, as well. There are store-bought pest control products that are heavily advertised as garlic solutions. It might prove smart to make some on your own and always keep a bottle of fresh pesticide in the fridge.

Your plants will be protected if you remember to spray them in the evening with anti-vampire juice to keep them safe. Spray from at least 15 cm. Note that you must spray an even coat of pesticide on both sides of your plant’s leaves. Think of it as spray painting.

How do you make garlic bug spray? There are different takes on it, and each has some form of personal twist; here is a tried and tested recipe for garlic spray for plants.

Pepper spray against garden pests

Does pepper spray keep bugs away? It turns out that pepper spray is effective against all kinds of pests, even those trying to harm your plants. The pepper spray can be combined with onion and garlic for better results. It deters rats, mice, stray cats and other mammals. It is also effective against birds.

How do you make pepper spray for pests? Soak the leaves of the plants well, and make sure to spray around them. The most important thing is to avoid using pepper spray on plants with fruits or those that are just blossoming, as capsaicin is toxic to bees and other pollinators. The recipe for homemade pepper pesticide you can find here.

Neem oil insecticide against garden pests

Essential oils are often used in different homemade pest deterrents. You can easily find neem oil extract for sale, as it is largely used by gardeners thanks to its insect-deterring effect and the fact that it can prevent powdery mildew on plants. In ancient Chinese medicine, neem oil was used to treat fungus infections, which some practitioners still use. In gardening, it is used against many vermin like aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies and others.

The main perk of neem oil bug spray for plants is that it is completely safe to use on fruits and veggies. Neem oil is an essential fatty acid; it is safe for us and our pets and doesn’t leave any residue in the soil. However, you should be careful with the oil, as it can harm some plants. Test-spray on a small area and wait 24 hours before spraying the entire plant. Spray in the evening, and don’t treat the plants more than twice a week.

Here is how to mix up your own homemade neem oil spray.

Soapy water bug spray

To make your own soapy water for plant pests, finding the right soap for the application is of the utmost importance. Remember that any type of additives, like degreasers and scents in the soap, will most likely harm your plants, so avoid such products. For the purpose of soapy water plant spray, you need the most organic soap you can find. Castile soap is ideal because it is made from animal fat and organic oils, often olive oil.

Once you find the right product, all you need to do is to mix the soap with water.

Vinegar bug spray

Natural aphid vinegar spray is one of the most popular homemade aphid solutions. Vinegar is used as a deterrent for many bugs, such as midges and mosquitos, and to get rid of ants in the kitchen. For use in the garden, you can mix one part vinegar with three parts water and one part soap. This vinegar pesticide spray can be used as a protective measure. It is effective against aphids, caterpillars and stink bugs. The soap will suffocate the pests that are currently on the plant, and the vinegar will deter those that might come afterwards.

A vinegar solution is what you need to spray on plants to keep bugs off, as its natural aroma deters them. Remember to use white vinegar. Otherwise, you might deter some insects but invite a cloud of fruit flies into your garden. Here is a recipe for vinegar aphid spray.

So, these are the most used organic pesticides by professional and hobby gardeners.

Takeaways

• Homemade bug sprays cannot guarantee results;
• You need the purest soap you can find for your homemade pesticides;
• Don’t use DIY sprays against domestic infestations;
• If you suspect an infestation on your property, call in a pro;
• If you have rats in the garden, they can easily make nests in your house.

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Was the organic bug spray of your choice helpful, did you manage to get rid of the pests? Share your experience in the comment section!

Image source: Depositphotos / SashaKhalabuzar