Sasha CampbellYou can help control many common garden pests, such as aphids, mites, thrips, caterpillars, squash bugs, and whiteflies, with natural and homemade pest control methods.
One of the best things about making your own insecticides and pesticides is that you know exactly what ingredients you are using. Moreover, you may already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen.
Natural and DIY Pesticides for Plants at Home
Below are homemade pesticides and other natural methods to help protect your plants from garden pests.
Many of these homemade insect sprays and natural pest control methods can help reduce pest damage without relying on harsh chemicals.
However, always test sprays on a small part of the plant first and avoid spraying during hot sunlight to prevent leaf burn.
1. Neem Oil
Neem oil can help control many harmful insects by disrupting feeding, growth, and reproduction. It may also repel some pests.
For a homemade neem oil spray, mix 2 teaspoons of neem oil with 1 teaspoon of liquid soap and 1 liter of water. Always test the spray on a small part of the plant first.
You can also buy a neem oil concentrate from trusted online stores or your nearby garden shop. Follow the directions on the bottle for using it.
Neem oil may also help control some fungal diseases, including powdery mildew. However, it does not work against every plant disease.
Avoid spraying neem oil directly on bees and other helpful insects. It is best to spray when pollinators are not active.
2. Vegetable Oil Spray
A mixture of vegetable oil, soap, and water may help control pests such as mites, aphids, and some scale insects. The oil works mainly by coating and smothering insects it directly touches.
Mix 1 cup of vegetable oil with 1 tablespoon of liquid soap to make a concentrate.
When ready to use it, add 2 tablespoons of the concentrate to 1 quart of water. Stir well and pour it into a spray bottle.
Spray the affected plants, making sure to coat the insects whenever possible.
Do not spray oil mixtures on plants during very hot weather. Oil sprays can burn leaves, especially in strong sunlight.
3. Beer
Beer traps can help reduce slug and snail damage in the garden.
Place a shallow bowl of beer near affected plants at night, with the rim level with the soil. This makes it easy for slugs and snails to crawl into the trap.
The smell of beer can attract slugs and snails. They may crawl into the container and drown.
Finally, remove the dead pests in the morning.
4. Soap Spray
This method has a similar effect to the oil spray above. However, you will need two tablespoons of a suitable liquid soap and a gallon of water.
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Next, spray the plants and pests. Be sure to coat both the top and underside of the leaves.
Use a true insecticidal soap when possible. Household soaps and dishwashing liquids can damage some plants.
If you use a homemade soap and water mixture, test it on a small part of the plant first and wait 24 hours for signs of damage.
Use it to control aphids, whiteflies, thrips, mealybugs, and other insect pests. You can also use it as an indoor plant spray.
5. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Diatomaceous earth is a natural product that may help control some crawling insect pests. The product is abrasive and will cut into the pests’ bodies. This results in dehydration, followed by death.
DE is easy to apply. Dust it on and around plants, but avoid breathing in the dust. Wear a dust mask when applying large amounts of DE.
Also, you may need to reapply after watering or rainfall. DE works best when it is dry. If it becomes wet, it will not work well until it dries again.
Use food-grade DE only.
6. Hydrogen Peroxide Spray
Hydrogen peroxide is sometimes used to help reduce certain fungal problems and may help control fungus gnat larvae in potting soil.
To make a mild spray, mix 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 1 cup of water.
Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray only the affected areas of the plant. Always test it on a small part of the plant first.
Do not use stronger hydrogen peroxide solutions, as they can damage plants. Also, avoid mixing hydrogen peroxide with other pesticides or household chemicals.
7. Garlic Spray
The strong smell of garlic may help repel some insects. However, garlic spray will not control every garden pest.
To make a simple homemade garlic pest spray, purée a whole garlic bulb in 2 cups of water. Let it steep overnight.
Next, strain the mixture and add 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap. Add enough water to make 1 quart of spray.
Finally, spray the mixture on affected plants.
8. Hot Pepper Spray
If using fresh hot peppers for this method, wear protective gloves and avoid contact with the skin and eyes.
To make a homemade garden bug spray, purée 1/2 cup of hot peppers with 1 cup of water.
Next, add 1 quart of water and heat the mixture until it boils. Allow it to cool completely, then strain it. Add 1 teaspoon of liquid soap and spray where needed.
Instead of fresh peppers, you can mix 1 tablespoon of chili powder or cayenne pepper with 1 quart of water. You can also use cayenne pepper powder.
Also, avoid spraying when the sun is hot. Choose early morning or evening instead. This DIY spray may help discourage some caterpillars, including certain moth caterpillars.
Hot pepper sprays can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs. Keep the spray away from your face and wash your hands after making or using it.
9. Tomato Leaf Spray
Tomato plant leaves contain natural compounds that may help control or repel some insects, including aphids [2]. Therefore, you can try using them to make a homemade insect spray for your vegetable plants and flowers.
Steep 2 cups of chopped tomato leaves in 1 quart of water overnight. Afterward, strain the mixture and spray your plants.
Keep the mixture away from children and pets.
10. Peppermint Oil Spray
Peppermint oil also has a strong scent that may help repel some pests, including ants, aphids, and certain beetles.
To make a homemade peppermint oil spray, combine 10 to 15 drops of peppermint essential oil with 2 cups of water and a few drops of mild liquid soap.
To help repel pests, spray the solution around plants, pots, garden borders, and other affected areas. Avoid spraying the leaves unless you have tested the solution first.
Also, avoid spraying delicate plants directly in strong sunlight. Always test the solution on a small area first to check for plant sensitivity.
Essential oils are highly concentrated. Even a small amount can damage some plants. Always test the spray first, and do not spray it on hot, sunny leaves.
11. Sticky Traps
Yellow and blue sticky traps can help catch certain flying insect pests.
Use commercial sticky cards or apply a sticky substance made for insect traps to bright yellow or blue cards. Next, punch holes, thread them with wire or string, and hang them above or near the plants.
Yellow sticky traps can catch fungus gnats, whiteflies, aphids, and some other flying insects [3]. Blue sticky traps are especially useful for monitoring thrips.
Yellow sticky traps work well for many flying insect pests. However, be careful with these; they may also trap beneficial insects that you want to keep.
12. Rubbing Alcohol Spray
Rubbing alcohol can help kill soft-bodied pests such as aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and some spider mites. However, alcohol can damage plant leaves, so use it carefully.
Instead of spraying the whole plant, use a cotton swab or cloth to dab rubbing alcohol directly onto individual pests when possible.
If you use a spray, dilute it carefully and always test it on a small area of the plant first.
13. Horticultural Oil
Horticultural oils can help control aphids, mites, mealybugs, whiteflies, and scale insects. For safer and more reliable results, use a commercial horticultural oil and follow the directions on the product label.
Apply horticultural oil when temperatures are mild, and avoid spraying during very hot weather to reduce the risk of leaf damage.
14. Eucalyptus Oil as a Pest Repellent
The strong smell of eucalyptus oil may help repel some insects. However, results can vary, and essential oils can irritate people and animals or damage plant leaves.
If you use eucalyptus oil as a household pest repellent, follow the directions on the product label and keep it out of the reach of children and pets. Do not spray concentrated eucalyptus oil on plants.
15. Handpicking and Water Spray
Sometimes, the simplest pest control method works best.
A strong stream of water can knock aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and other small pests from plant leaves. Use a garden hose or spray bottle to wash the pests away.
Be sure to spray the undersides of leaves, where many insects hide. Repeat the treatment every few days if pests return.
For larger pests, such as squash bugs, caterpillars, and beetles, you can pick them off by hand. Drop them into a bucket of soapy water to kill them.
This method is safe for many plants. It also helps protect bees and other helpful insects.
16. Kaolin Clay Spray
Kaolin clay is a natural mineral that can help protect plants from some insect pests.
When mixed with water and sprayed on plant leaves, it leaves behind a thin, white coating. This coating can make it harder for some pests to find the plant and feed on it.
To use kaolin clay, mix it with water according to the directions on the product label. Shake the mixture well and spray it over the leaves, stems, and fruit.
The coating may make plants look white until it is washed away. You may need to reapply it after heavy rain because rain and new plant growth gradually remove the protective coating.
Kaolin clay may help protect fruit trees, vegetable plants, and other crops from certain insect pests. Always choose a product labeled for garden use and follow the directions carefully.
Important Tips for Using Natural Pest Control Methods
- Spray in the early morning or evening.
- Reapply after heavy rain.
- Avoid spraying beneficial insects like bees.
- Test sprays on a few leaves first.
- Make only as much homemade spray as you need. Some mixtures separate or lose their effectiveness when stored.
- Keep homemade sprays away from children and pets.
- Identify the pest before choosing a treatment.
Natural pesticides can still harm plants and beneficial insects if overused, so apply them carefully and only when needed.
Takeaway
The natural and homemade methods above may help you control some common garden pests.
For the best results, identify the pest first and choose the safest method for that specific pest.
Remember that even natural products can harm plants, bees, and other helpful insects when used incorrectly.
See also: 15 Natural and Homemade Fungicides for Indoor and Outdoor Plants.
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