Summertime is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the weather. However, it can also be a time when pests like bugs start to invade your home and garden.
If you’re looking for a natural way to get rid of these pests, you’ll want to try using plant bug sprays. These sprays are made with ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen!
Having a good DIY homemade bug spray for your garden plants is a must in anyone’s yard. Not only are they safe for you, your children, and your pets; but, they will save you money too.
There are a ton of different recipes for plant bug sprays out there but we’ve compiled a list of the seven best ones. Each one uses ingredients that can be easily found in any kitchen.
In this article, we will discuss seven different plant homemade bug spray recipes that you can use to keep your home and garden pest-free.
Table of Contents
Alcohol Homemade Insecticide Spray
A rubbing alcohol solution is an excellent method to gain control over heavy infestations and repel insects from your houseplants. Always conduct a test spot on your plant material to see how it responds.
Items you need:
- rubbing alcohol
- water
- essential oils (optional)
How to apply:
- In a mixing dish, combine all of the components.
- Stir slowly over a period of 2 minutes.
- To a spray bottle add the combination.
- Apply the mixture to afflicted plants.
- Repeat the treatment every few days or as long on as you can see pests in your plants. Even in young plants, it is safe to use this product in direct contact.
Chrysanthemum Flower Tea
Chrysanthemum flower tea is a natural insecticide that can be used to get rid of unwanted pests in your garden. This tea is made from the chrysanthemum flower, which is a member of the Compositae family. The chrysanthemum flower has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments.
The chrysanthemum flower tea can be used to get rid of a variety of garden pests, including aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. It can also be used to repel mosquitoes and other biting insects. To make the tea, simply steep a handful of chrysanthemum flowers in hot water for about 10 minutes. Let the tea
Items you need:
- 100g of dried flowers
- A liter of water
- Spray Bottle
How to apply:
- Bring a liter of water to a boil and soak the dried flowers for 20 minutes.
- Strain, then chill in the refrigerator before spritzing.
- Spray the mixture on your afflicted plants. Repot the affected plants as soon as possible, and repeat the spray every few days or as long as you can see pests on them.
Eucalyptus Essential Oils
Eucalyptus Oil is a natural pesticide for honey bees, wasps, fruit flies, and flies that is beneficial to the environment. It also leaves a pleasant scent that serves as a natural deodorizer in your home or workplace. Always conduct a spot test before applying any new oils to ensure that your plant does not suffer negative consequences.
Items you need:
- Eucalyptus Oil
- Water
- Spray Bottle
How to apply:
- Fill a spray bottle halfway with water and oil.
- Spray the solution on the plants with affected plants.
- Use it once a week, or every seven to fourteen days, until you no longer see them.
Garlic And Hot Pepper Spray
There are a number of different plant bug sprays that you can make at home, and garlic and hot pepper spray is one of them. This spray is made with two ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen – garlic and hot peppers.
The garlic and hot pepper spray is effective at getting rid of a variety of garden pests, including aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. It can also be used to repel mosquitoes and other biting insects.
Items you need:
- About 2 to 3 garlic cloves
- 6 hot chili peppers
- Cheesecloth or a coffee filters
- Blender
- Spray Bottle
How to apply:
- In a blender, combine the garlic cloves and chili peppers. Puree them (this helps release the garlic oil, too).
- Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter.
- Fill the spray bottle with the mix.
- Spritz the mixture over plants.
- Repeat the treatment after a few days or until you can’t see the typical pests in your plants.
Neem Oil Spray
Neem oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the neem seed. It is used in diverse ways, including as an insecticide, biopesticide, and as an organic fertilizer. Neem oil disrupts the brains of plant pests, making them unable to eat, reproduce, or mate. This will aid in the maintenance of fresh growth and the eradication of severe infestations.
Neem oil has a residual effect and is not required to be reapplied to the new plant every day. You don’t see them die in front of your eyes; it takes some time. Always perform a test spot on your plant to determine how it responds.
Items you need:
- 1/2 ounce high-quality pure neem oil
- A tiny bit of mild liquid soap or pure castile soap.
- 2 quarters of warm water
- Spray Bottle
How to apply:
- In a mixing basin, combine the ingredients.
- Stir slowly.
- Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle.
- Spray the afflicted plants and undergrowth with it.
- Repeat the spray as needed, usually every few days, or until the pests are no longer visible on your plants.
Garlic Pepper Spray
Garlic pepper spray is a natural remedy for getting rid of pests in your garden. It is made with garlic cloves and hot peppers, which are both known for their pest-repelling properties.
The garlic pepper spray is effective at getting rid of a variety of garden pests, including aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. It can also be used to repel mosquitoes and other biting insects.
A hot pepper and garlic spray is effective in eliminating aphids from your plants if you don’t mind the odor. It inhibits the development of new infestations. It does this by keeping them away from the plants. Always conduct a spot test to see how your plant and plant leaves react to any spray, especially this garlic oil spray.
Items you need:
- 3 to 5 garlic cloves
- 6 large chili’s
- Coffee filter
- Blender
Spray BottleHow to apply:
- Put the garlic and chilies in a blender and puree them (this also helps to release the garlic oil).
- Strain the liquid through a coffee filter.
- Fill the spray bottle halfway with the liquid.
- Spray the mixture onto the plants.
- Repeat the spray every few days or as long as pests like corn rootworm, Japanese beetles, and powdery mildew are visible in your plants.
Soapy Water Homemade Bug Spray
One of the finest treatments for infested plants is soapy water. Soap kills insects on contact. Soap will dehydrate spider mites and aphids, but it won’t harm your plants. However, always perform a spot test to see how your plant responds before using this method. Make sure to harvest the entire infested plant, including the undersides of leaves, to avoid serious problems.
Items you need:
- 2 tablespoons mild liquid dish soap (use a mild soap)
- 1-gallon water
- A clean Spray Bottle
How to apply:
- In a spray bottle, combine 2 tablespoons of mild liquid soap for each 1 gallon of water.
- Spray the mixture on the afflicted plants. Use it every 7 days until the pests have died out. Always conduct a spot test to see how your entire plant will react before applying any pesticide.
People Also Ask
How do you make homemade bug spray for plants?
Mix one cup of white vinegar with three cups of water to make one of the simplest DIY bug sprays. To help the solution adhere, add half a teaspoon of dishwashing soap. We have written an article about how to use natural vinegar spray for aphids.
What can I spray on plants to keep bugs away?
There are a few things you can do to keep bugs away from your plants. You can use a physical barrier like row covers, you can use traps, or you can make your own homemade bug spray as we have mentioned above.
What is the best insecticide for plants?
The best insecticide for plants will vary depending on the type of plant and the type of insect. However, there are some general tips that you can follow when choosing an insecticide for your plants. Make sure to choose an organic option if possible, and always test a small area of the plant before applying the pesticide to the entire plant. You should also consider using beneficial insects, like ladybugs, to control pests in your garden.
How do I keep my houseplants bug free?
The best way to keep your houseplants bug free is to prevent them from getting infested in the first place. Inspect your plants regularly for pests, and quarantine any new plants that you bring into your home. You should also avoid using chemical pesticides on your houseplants, as these can be harmful to both you and your plants. If you do find pests on your houseplants, you can try using a homemade insecticide or contacting a professional pest control company.
Will soapy water hurt plants?
Plants should not be bathed in soaps or detergents. Bathing plants with a strong solution of soapy water can damage the wax coating on the leaves, leading to water loss and the death of the plant.
Will baking soda hurt plants?
Baking soda can be used as an insecticide on plants, but it is important to use it carefully. Baking soda can damage the leaves of plants if it is applied in too high of a concentration. It is also important to make sure that you do not apply baking soda to plants that are wilted or stressed, as this can further damage the plant. Always test a small area of the plant before applying baking soda to the entire plant.
Can I spray hydrogen peroxide on my plants?
When combined with a 0.5% solution of hydrogen peroxide, the third chemical in this list (Nematocide) is highly effective against nematodes as well as other bacteria and fungi that could be responsible for blooming problems. As an added benefit, hydrogen peroxide can aid prevent unwanted germs and fungus from developing in the garden. To give plants extra oxygen or for pest management by using the 3 percent solution, add 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) per cup (240 ml.) of water in a spray bottle and spritz them.
Can I spray apple cider vinegar on my plants?
Yes, you can spray apple cider vinegar on your plants. Apple cider vinegar is a natural way to get rid of pests in your garden. It is also safe for humans and animals. To make a homemade insecticide, mix one cup of apple cider vinegar with three cups of water. You can also add a teaspoon of dishwashing soap to help the solution adhere to the leaves. Spray the mixture on the afflicted plants. Use it every seven days until the pests have died out. Always conduct a spot test to see how your entire plant will react before applying any pesticide.
Can I spray lemon juice on my plants?
Yes, you can spray lemon juice on your plants as a natural way to get rid of pests. Lemon juice is acidic and will kill most pests that it comes in contact with. To make a homemade insecticide, mix one cup of lemon juice with three cups of water. You can also add a teaspoon of dishwashing soap to help the solution adhere to the leaves. Spray the mixture on the afflicted plants every seven days until the pests have died out.
