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.
Instead, pest and gardening experts recommend using all-natural alternatives that can easily be made at home with a few simple ingredients. This is where homemade insect sprays and deterrents come into their own.
Created from pantry staples or items you might find growing in your garden, these sprays are quick and effective ways to ward bugs off your prized plants. '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 – 8 homemade recipes for plants
Before you start making just any bug spray, there are two things to consider first.
Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love explains: 'Some homemade bug sprays are better for repelling bugs, while others are better at directly killing them. For example, garlic spray can be great for repelling bugs because of its intense odor. Bugs will steer clear, but if they are actually sprayed by it, they won’t actually die. On the other hand, oil spray can be excellent at actually killing bugs. Its thick consistency smothers them on the spot.'
In addition to working out whether you want to create a pesticide or pest repellent before you create your bug spray, you must determine which kind of bug you would like to target and what naturally kills or deters them. For instance, citronella oil is a scent that will deter mosquitoes, peppermint oil is effective against ants and spiders, while neem oil mixed with water can make the perfect DIY aphid spray. ‘Homemade garlic, nettle, soap, tomato, and basil sprays are effective against aphids, mites, and thrips,' adds Leigh Clapp.
Considering these factors will guide you in choosing the best spray (from the list below) for your particular pest problem.
1. Insecticidal soap
(Image credit: Getty Images / Mykhailo Lukashuk)
A popular 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.
Insecticidal soap is one of the best ways of getting rid of aphids, as well as lace bugs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, and thrips.
To create insecticidal soap, combine one cup of vegetable oil with one tablespoon of dishwashing soap or pure Castile liquid soap at Walmart. 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.
Remember, 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 sprays on plants during the heat of the day as exposure to the sun can cause leaf burn.
Hula Home Continuous Spray Bottle | Was $14.99, now $7.99 at Amazon
Mix your own DIY bug sprays in this easy-to-clean spray bottle.
2. Neem oil bug spray
(Image credit: Getty Images / mikroman6)
An organic insecticide, neem oil has seen a rise in popularity as a method to treat everything from insects through to fungi.
'Neem oil is effective against a wide range of pests, including aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, thrip, and mealybugs, at every stage in their life cycle,' says Tony O’Neill, gardening expert at Simplify Gardening. Using neem oil on plants 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, at Walmart, 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.Spray directly onto affected plants, covering all surfaces, including the undersides of leaves.
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 teaspoon 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 for the watering cycle.Apply every one to two weeks as needed.
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?
Vinegar, whether white or apple cider, is one of the simplest and most effective sprays for killing and repelling common pests, including ants, moths, roaches, mosquitoes, bed bugs, fruit flies, spiders, and horseflies.
Simply mix one cup of white vinegar, at Walmart, 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 want 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 and garden expert, Melanie Griffiths.
You have to add lemon peels top it up with white vinegar and let it infuse for 2 weeks. After that, you can take the infusion, add an equal amount of water, and spray on windows to repel ants!
4. Garlic spray
(Image credit: Alamy/Stephanie Frey Photo)
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 flies. Well, 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 from 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 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: Getty/©Tasty food and photography)
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 leaves with water. Let this steep overnight, before straining it into a spray bottle and applying it to the plant’s leaves.
This is a great way to recycle tomato leaves once you've pruned them – you canlearn how to prune tomato plants for a maximum yield.
6. Cinnamon spray
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Cinnamon spray is 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.
Mix two teaspoons of cinnamon powder into four cups of warm water. Allow this to steep overnight, then strain through a coffee filter, and then pour into a spray bottle. Mist the potting soil and plants.
7. Hot pepper spray
(Image credit: Getty Images / Wendy Rauw Photography)
'Chilli peppers contain capsaicin, which is an ingredient that can effectively deter pests,' explains pest control technician, Mihail Velev at Fantastic Pest Control. And despite what you may initially assume, this potent spray won't negatively affect the health of the soil or plants.
Hot pepper spray is particularly effective against chewing insects like caterpillars and beetles. Mihail Velev says: 'To make the spray, blend chili peppers with water, strain the mixture, and spray it on your plants, similar to the way you’d make a garlic spray.' Alternatively, you can mix one tablespoon of cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce with water and one teaspoon of liquid soap. Pour into a spray bottle and shake well before use.
'Reapply every few days or after watering/rain.'
8. Witch hazel and essential oils
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Many essential oils have been found to have insecticidal properties. These nice-smelling scents garden pests hate can also throw pests off scents they may otherwise be attracted to, such as your best indoor plants. Essential oils are concentrated extracts extracted from pest-repellent plants. Some of the most effective repellents are the oils that contain compounds like citronellal, eugenol, and geraniol.
To create the spray, Tony O'Neill says, 'Mix 10-20 drops of essential oils (e.g., citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint oil) with equal parts of water and witch hazel.' This blend can be safely sprayed around garden beds, patios, and even directly on plants.
The beauty of using a particular essential oil or a mix of a few is that you can tailor the recipe according to the type of pests you are trying to deter.
For example, one popular mix involves combining equal parts of water and witch hazel with 10 drops of lavender essential oil and 5 drops each of eucalyptus and citronella oils. Lavender and citronella are known for their insect-repellent properties, while eucalyptus can deter certain pests like mosquitoes.
Essential Oils by PURE AROMA | $9.98from Amazon
This kit includes eucalyptus, lavender, lemon grass, orange, peppermint, and tea tree essential oils.
Tips for use
(Image credit: Getty Images / Scott O'Neill)
- 'Homemade bug sprays generally have a shorter shelf life than commercial bug sprays because of the absence of preservatives,' explains Matthew Wilson, CEO of Handy Gardeners. 'Store your homemade spray in a dark, cool place and try to use it within a couple of weeks to ensure maximum potency.'
- Apply sprays in the evening to avoid sunburn on plants and allow the mixture to work overnight.
FAQs
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
How can you make a cooling spray for insect bites?
Some bug sprays can be used not just to repel pests, but also when they are kept in the fridge, they can be used as a cooling spray if you have been bitten by an insect.
Mihail Velev says: 'One recipe to try is mixing two tablespoons of chopped fresh mint, basil, and lavender into one cup of boiled and cooled water. After you steep the leaves, strain them add one cup of witch hazel, and shake the liquid well. Alternatively, you can also try seeping a few cloves and dried herbs, such as peppermint, catnip, and lavender into boiled and cooled water. After you strain the liquid, add one cup of witch hazel or alcohol.'
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,’ says 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.
