Insect repellent or bug sprays are commonly used in households. Outdoor insect repellent is great in organic growing and pest control. When used right, insect repellents reduces the risk of bites. They are also great for pest population growth and disease transmission to people, pets and plants. Many can be included into other spray or control programs and some work great with biocontrol treatments like beneficial insects like nematodes.
While insects are a valuable part of the ecosystems, sometimes they end up in your finished product.
Gardening can be a relaxing hobby, but it can get complicated and a bit frustrating. When garden insect pests start eating at your hard work it’s no fun. Some people will go to great lengths to get rid of these insect pests, even resorting to chemical pesticides.
These moments can have us reaching for the insecticides. However commercial insecticides are usually filled with toxic chemicals. That can be harmful for you and the environment.
This is where homemade insect sprays and remedies shine. That’s right, you can make insect repellent for plants out of homemade material. Created from items you would find in your cupboard or pantry, they are quick and effective ways to ward bugs off your prized plants.
Vinegar is a great natural insect killer. You can also use it around the house to deter bugs inside. The vinegary smell will quickly leave and your plants are happy about it.
You can also use a hydrogen peroxide and water solution, which is great when trying to get rid of bugs from houseplant soil.
Here are some other organic insect repellent sprays and liquids you have at home:
Soap and oil
You can make a safe and effective insect repellent spray from vegetable oil mixed with a mild, vegan soap. This soap and oil mix is more effective against aphids, mites, some beetles, and thrips. The slippery mixture coats the bodies of the insects, blocking off their spiracles, which are the pores they use to breathe.
You can make a similar spray out of just water and soap, as well, but be sure to only apply it when the weather is relatively cool or you’ll wind up cooking your plants.
Beer
That’s right, beer isn’t just celebrating after getting your plants in the ground. It’s also a great way to trap and repel a number of persistent garden pests such as slugs or snails. Setting out a saucer or cup of beer will keep your garden pests busy enough that they won’t even bother with the rest of your garden plants.
You can also create an effective natural outdoor insect repellent out of beer, Epsom salts and mouthwash. Simply let the beer go flat and mix it with the mouthwash and salt. The pepperminty smell will keep the bugs at bay, while the magnesium in the salt will help fertilize the soil. This recipe is most effective against slugs and earwigs.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is a naturally occurring pesticide found in seeds from the neem tree. It is yellow to brown, has a bitter taste, and a garlic or sulfur smell. It has been used for hundreds of years to control pests and diseases. Components of neem oil can be found in many products today.
Neem oil is a mixture of other things as well. Azadirachtin is the most active component for repelling and killing pests and can be extracted from neem oil. The portion left over is called clarified hydrophobic neem oil.
Plants that repel insects are a great choice as well:
Hot peppers
Hot peppers can be used to repel some garden pests, but not all of them. For example, onion flies and cabbage looper larvae have a distinct distaste for chili peppers, but only cayenne pepper is effective against spider mites.
That said, the capsaicin in chili pepper and powder sprays is still effective at keeping aphids, leafhoppers, and other soft-bodied insects away from your plants. Chili pepper works on larger animals too, keeping squirrels, cats, mice, and rabbits away from garden plants for a time. Try making a chili pepper spray for your garden! All it takes is a teaspoon or so of cayenne or chili pepper powder, some water, and a few drops of dish soap to help it adhere to the plants and soil.
If you plan to use a chili pepper-based spray, make sure you wear gloves and eye protection. Also, avoid spraying in any area where pets or young children might be prone to wandering. The last thing you need is for them to get some of that chili pepper spray on their skin or in their eyes.
Garlic
Garlic is known for being one of the best foods and seasons on the planet. Bugs are not exactly fans of the stuff. Garlic is both highly toxic to bugs and harmful to common garden bacteria and fungi. The best part about garlic as a bug repellent is that it can be mixed into a number of natural pesticides that will repel or kill insects, but cause no harm to garden plants.
You can administer the garlic by mixing minced or powdered garlic in a spray bottle with some dish soap, water, and mineral oil. The mixture will stick to bugs and keep leaves slick and poisonous enough that their friends will want to keep away. Remember to spray it on the top and bottom of leaves, as the latter is where many insects like aphids like to hide.
Marigolds
Like lavender, basil, time, mint, and lemongrass, marigolds have a scent that bugs simply do not enjoy. For years, home gardeners have been festooning their garden with random marigolds in an effort to repel harmful insects from getting too close to their prize-winning tomatoes.
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, marigolds are effective at repelling both cabbage worms and mosquitoes. What’s more, ladybugs actually love marigolds and will flock to gardens where they are plentiful. Those little buggers might look cute to us, but they are an aphid’s greatest natural predator.
Citronella
This may not be a surprise considering citronella is a popular ingredient for natural mosquito repellents, patio candles and more. But you might not know that citronella is actually a grass you can plant in your yard. Most citronella products are made with the fragrant oil the plant expels. Research has shown that topical citronella products only last for about two hours since the oils evaporate quickly, so having plants around is a nice insurance against biting pests. Citronella grass can grow up to six feet tall and six feet wide, so be sure to space them accordingly. The grass also prefers filtered sunlight and frequent watering.
Sulfur
Sulfur is a natural pesticide that has been used for generations to interrupt the growth, development, and life cycle of many kinds of pests. It doesn’t work in all situations, but for some garden dilemmas, sulfur might be the solution you are looking for.
It might be hard for you to believe that something as simple as sulfur can make such a huge difference when it comes to the health of your plants. However, when you’re looking for an inexpensive pesticide, sulfur could very well be the solution you have been looking for.
Repelling insects is a full time job. There are countless methods and options to choose from. If you are still interested in learning more about pest control, check out our blog here. If you still have questions, give us a call at 888-815-9763. Our master growers are here to help!
