Some insects and related pests seem to react to the pungent smell of garlic just as some people do—they hate it. This makes it useful in several ways in the garden and yard.
Making garlic spray for plants is cheap and easy. Moreover, it works great for controlling mosquitoes, aphids, whiteflies, and bugs.
Below, you’ll learn how to use garlic for pest control and more.
Garden Benefits
- Garlic spray is a natural remedy for dealing with general pest problems affecting garden plants.
- Mice, rabbits, moles, and deer are also discouraged by the scent of the solution. As a result, they will avoid coming near.
- Garlic juice can help fight some plant diseases. It is effective against downy mildew and Phytophthora leaf blight of tomato [1]. You can also use it as a preventative measure for powdery mildew on plants and other harmful fungi.
- Moreover, garlic water spray will not hurt your plants or the environment. It is also safe to use around children and pets if used correctly.
This home remedy is entirely natural and is a suitable alternative to repel or eliminate pests in the garden.
Garden Pests That Garlic Repels
Garlic contains sulfur compounds, which act as a natural repellent for many bad insects and pests in your home and garden [2]. Insects and related pests that garlic pesticide repels include:
- Aphids
- Caterpillars
- Mosquitoes
- Mites
- Whiteflies
- Carrot flies
- Bugs
- Ants
- Beetles
- Cutworms
- Slugs
- Borers
- House flies
- Termites
- Fruit flies
- Spider mites
- Cabbage worms
One downside is that it may also repel some beneficial insects and pollinators. So, do not apply right before pollination or during pollination.
How to Make Garlic Spray for the Garden
Commercial sprays containing garlic can be purchased from the garden store or online. But homemade ones are easy to handle, cheap, and far more satisfying to prepare.
There are many DIY garlic insecticide spray recipe variations online, but below are the simplest ones.
Basic Garlic Pesticide Recipe
To use garlic as a pesticide, separate 4 or 5 cloves of garlic (no need to peel) and put them into a blender. Next, add 2 cups of water plus a few drops of organic liquid soap and blend until smooth.
When ready to use, strain the liquid to avoid chunks of garlic clogging the spray container. To be sure that you get out all the pieces, strain through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer.
Next, use it immediately, as the longer it stays, the less potent it becomes. This homemade spray works on mosquitoes, aphids, mites, flies, beetles, worms, and a plethora of other pests.
Another Recipe
Mince 4 cloves of garlic and add them to a tablespoon of mineral oil. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours. Afterward, strain the garlic oil and add it to a pint of water along with one teaspoon of liquid soap.
When you’re ready to apply, you’ll need to dilute it first. To use, make a solution by combining 2 tablespoons of the concentrated garlic mixture with a pint of water. Next, pour into a spray bottle and coat the affected plants.
You can also add other organic pesticides, like neem oil, to the mixture if infestations are severe. Some gardeners even add hot peppers or mint to the solution.
How to Use
Apply the solution in the early evening, when the annoying bugs are busy all over the plants and causing the most damage. Start using as soon as the pests are noticed to minimize damage and infestations.
Spray plants, covering all surfaces, including under the leaves. Also, apply directly to garden pests you see lurking around. You can also spray the soil around crops and ornamental plants to stop bad insects and related pests in their tracts.
Re-apply after rain or heavy watering and continue spraying at 1-2 weekly intervals until the pests leave.
For protection against other creatures like deer and rabbits, you can grow garlic as a companion plant around crops. It grows well with cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots.
However, some food crops do not respond well to garlic, which may result in stunted growth. Avoid planting near strawberries, beans, asparagus, and peas. Also, some herbs, such as sage and parsley, do not appear to thrive well when grown near garlic.
Precautions
As with all pesticides, even organic ones, caution is advisable.
Use protective gear while preparing and using the spray, and wash hands after mixing the solution. Although garlic is natural, the concentrated juice is strong and may affect sensitive skin or eyes. Also, wash hands of any residue to avoid allergic reactions.
Plants, too, may be sensitive. Testing the spray on a few leaves first to see if garlic is suitable for that particular plant is wise before more widespread use.
Additionally, store the solution in a secure place away from children and pets. For edible crops, avoid spraying too close to harvest and wash produce to minimize any garlicky taste.
Takeaway
Garlic has long been used as a natural pesticide to control garden pests. Moreover, when the spray is combined with organic liquid soap, it is even more effective.
The powerful scent of garlic also makes it an effective repellent for deer, rodents, rabbits, and other animals. Finally, it is good to know that this natural method of pest control is safe to use around the family.
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