Pest control is a topic I’ve often written about in the past. Primarily, it came from my absolute hate for pest issues in the garden, as I had to deal with them frustratingly often in my initial gardening years.
The most effective pest solution I found over the years actually wasn’t a store-bought pesticide, it was making my own natural pest control sprays.
In this article, I’m going to take you through a few tried and tested natural pest sprays that are easy to make and super duper effective. Let’s jump right into it, shall we?
Why Go Natural? The Benefits Of Plant-Based Pest Sprays
The reason for picking natural pest sprays instead of chemical options is nothing hidden or complex; the natural way is just gentler and safer.
You’ll be doing pollinators, your pets, and even your kids (if you have any) a favor by applying natural pest sprays to your plants instead of harsh chemical ones.
Natural pest control methods also break down quickly in the garden, working fast and leaving no long-term residue behind. You’ll also find that natural sprays are a lot cheaper to make in large quantities and use for multiple seasons and years at a time.
6 Natural Pest Sprays That Actually Work!
1: Neem Oil Spray
I’ve been quite vocal about the use of neem oil in my garden for pest control. I’ve written many articles around it and often recommended gardeners struggling with pest issues to give neem oil a shot.
This powerful, aromatic oil works best for killing soft-bodied pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.
To make the spray, all you need to do is mix 1 tablespoon of neem oil with ½ tablespoon of mild soap in a quart of water. Apply this solution consistently in the evening time to avoid sunburnt leaves.
2: Garlic & Chili Spray
As much as you enjoy the flavor and aroma of garlic and chili, pests and insects absolutely despise it with their entire being!
A garlic and chili spray is great for repelling caterpillars, beetles, and some leaf-chewer varieties in the garden. The strong smell deters many pests before they even take a bite.
Simply add a few garlic cloves, hot peppers, and some water to a blender and blend everything till it’s nice and liquidy. Then, strain the mixture and put it in a spray bottle. Now, it’s ready to use!
3: Citrus Oil Spray
Like the name suggests, a citrus oil spray will be heavy on citruses like lemon, lime, and orange. It works well on ants, aphids, and other soft-bodied pests and insects.
You can either infuse some water with these citrus peels or mix citrus fruit essential oil in water to make a spray. Apply it directly to affected leaves and let the sharp, tangy citrus work its magic.
4: Insecticidal Soap (DIY)
As complex as the name sounds, insecticidal spray can be made very cheaply and easily. Spray your affected garden plants (especially the foliage) with this solution and watch it smother aphids, thrips, and whiteflies in no time.
Just add a few drops of unscented liquid soap to 1 quart of water and mix it well.
Just keep in mind that you want to avoid using dish soap with degreasers or chemicals for this; a simple, natural one should work well.
5: Onion-Garlic Spray
Onion and garlic are excellent general pest deterrents with antifungal benefits. I’ve often recommended planting them as companion plants in the garden, as they can even protect other plants in close enough proximity.
To make a spray, you want to blend half or quarter of an onion with a few cloves of garlic in water and transfer the mixture to a spray bottle after straining it well. Use this spray weekly or after heavy rains.
6: Herbal Oil Spray (Rosemary, Peppermint, Etc.)
Herbal oil sprays deter flies, mosquitoes, spider mites, and many more pests and insects.
Mix a few drops of your favorite herbal oil with water and some mild soap, and spray this solution onto your plants in the early morning or late evening.
My Quick Tips For Safe & Effective Use!
