Andre CampbellIt all starts when a moth or butterfly lays eggs on your plants. Some days later, the caterpillars hatch. Finding a good repellent spray at this moment is vital before an infestation begins.
Caterpillars are a problem for many gardeners.
As the caterpillar eats, it grows. It then becomes a major pest of many plants, especially vegetables. These include kale, collards, cabbage, and all tomatoes.
If you detect these critters early, they’re much easier to control. Fortunately, quite a few home remedies can help stop these pests.
Below are 15 homemade spray recipes to keep caterpillars off your plants.
1. Insecticide Oil
An oil insecticide spray can repel garden caterpillars and other pests, like mites and aphids.
Mix 1 tablespoon of mild liquid soap with 1 cup of vegetable oil. When ready to apply, combine 2 teaspoons of the mixture with a quart of water. Shake well and spray directly on the plant.
2. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth has many uses. One of its uses is that it makes a great caterpillar spray.
It can dehydrate and kill caterpillars. Therefore, make a solution by combining 4 tablespoons of the product with 1 gallon of water.
Shake until dissolved, and spray your plants. When dry, it will leave a powdery residue, which is what will naturally kill the caterpillars.
You can also sprinkle the powder directly on your plants and caterpillars that you see.
3. Soap
Use this common item to make a natural spray for caterpillars, beetles, broccoli bugs, whiteflies, leaf-eating worms, and more.
Mix 1 quart of water with 1.5 teaspoons of mild organic liquid soap. Shake well and spray directly on the affected area.
While soapy water does not kill caterpillars, it will encourage them to leave. Aim to apply it in the evenings or early mornings.
4. Garlic
Garlic is an incredible pest control home remedy. The scent will repel all sorts of harmful insects from plants.
To make a natural caterpillar repellent using garlic, blend two whole garlic bulbs in half a cup of water. Next, let the mixture sit for at least 12 hours.
When it’s ready, add 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap and a quart of water to the mixture. Mix well, strain, and then spray.
You can also combine this deterrent spray with hot peppers to get rid of armyworms and cabbage worms.
5. Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the best home remedies for making a pest control spray. Because of its acidic nature, it is used as a natural pesticide to kill many harmful insects.
To create a caterpillar killer spray that will not harm your plants, combine 2 tablespoons of raw vinegar with 4 liters of water. Shake well and spray the pests.
6. Neem Oil
Organic gardeners use neem oil to kill bad insects at all stages, from larvae to adults.
To use neem oil to keep away caterpillars, combine 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap, 2 teaspoons of neem oil, and 1 quart of water. Shake well and spray plants and visible pests.
7. Chili Pepper
You can also use fresh chili peppers or chili pepper powder to make a spray that works against caterpillars.
If you’re using fresh peppers, blend half a cup of chopped chili peppers in 1 cup of water.
Next, add a quart of water and boil. Once cooled, strain and add a few drops of mild liquid soap before spraying.
Mix 1 tablespoon with 1 quart of water and a few drops of liquid soap if you’re using chili powder.
8. Citrus
Citrus is effective at repelling soft-bodied insects.
To make a DIY spray for green caterpillars, grate the peel of a lemon or orange. Next, add it to a pint of boiling water and let the mixture sit overnight.
In the morning, strain through cheesecloth. Then, spray the mixture onto the affected plants.
9. Chilli and Wormwood
This creative concoction can be used to discourage insects, possums, and rabbits. However, you want the hotter varieties of chilies for it to be most effective.
Blend your chilies and wormwood in a cup of water. Once it’s all blended, add 5 cups of water and boil.
Let it stand until it cools, then strain and spray the plants. However, keep the solution away from your eyes.
10. Organic Bacillus Thuringiensis Spray
Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) is toxic to gypsy moth caterpillars, tent caterpillars, tomato hornworms, and other insects.
Once the larvae ingest the Bt pesticide, feeding will stop, and death will follow. Mix the recommended powder amount with water and spray the top and bottom of the leaves.
Alternatively, you can buy Monterey Bt caterpillar killer spray and/or Bonide Thuricide. They are ready-made solutions. Follow the instructions on the bottle.
11. Molasses
Some thick, gooey molasses may do the trick. It can help fight against many types of critters in your garden!
Mix 1 cup of molasses with 1 liter of water. Then, shake and spray it on your plants. It will help get rid of caterpillars naturally.
12. Hose ‘Em
This is the simplest and most straightforward option. After all, you’re likely out there with the hose watering your plants anyway!
Take a few minutes to blast those critters right off your plants.
Apply the spray directly onto your plants. As the green caterpillars fall off, remove them. Put them elsewhere or kill them.
13. Tomato Leaf
The leaves of tomatoes can also be a great way to get rid of pests.
Tomato plant leaves contain alkaloids that are toxic to aphids and other insects. When the leaves are crushed, these compounds are released.
Therefore, chop 2 cups of tomato leaves and steep them in 1 quart of water. Leave it overnight. In the morning, strain and spray this homemade insecticide all over your plants.
14. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are also known to deter caterpillars. Therefore, make a spray by soaking half a cup of used coffee grounds in a gallon of water for at least 24 hours.
Afterward, strain the solution and pour it into a spray bottle. Use this coffee grounds spray on garden plants and the caterpillars you see.
15. Baking Soda
Baking soda has a plethora of garden uses, and insecticide is one of them. You can use it as a natural treatment for caterpillars and other insects.
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a gallon of water for the recipe. To make it work even better, add a teaspoon of liquid soap.
Shake well and thoroughly spray the infested plants.
Commercial Products
If none of those DIY remedies interest you, you can purchase a ready-to-use natural product.
Below are our top 3 recommended caterpillar deterrent products that are safe for organic gardening use.
1. Molt-X
Molt-X gets rid of a caterpillar infestation, tomato worms, bagworms, cabbage maggots, and other pests almost instantly.
It contains azadirachtin, a very potent, natural compound from the neem tree. It is incredibly effective and safe for people, pets, birds, earthworms, and other harmless creatures.
Moreover, you can use it up until the day of harvest. Besides, it also works on trees, roses, and ferns.
2. Monterey Garden Insect Spray
This product contains spinosad, which is toxic to hairy caterpillars (higad), sawfly larvae, and other pests.
You can use it on your lawns, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and more. Furthermore, this organic caterpillar spray is fast-acting and easy to use.
Use it on the affected area to control cutworms, caterpillars, gypsy moth larvae, leaf miners, and more. You can also use it on edible plants such as basil, lettuce, broccoli, and cauliflower up until the day of harvest.
3. JMS Stylet Oil
JMS is another fantastic product. It helps gardeners control many pests and some fungal plant diseases. Moreover, it is safe to use in organic gardening.
Takeaway
Caterpillars will feed on a variety of plants, presenting a huge problem in your garden. Fortunately, there are ways to keep them away without using dangerous chemicals.
Our list has a solution for your pest problem. It will help, whether you prefer to DIY or buy a product.
Sasha Campbell
Add comment