Natural Garden Sprays to Repel Pests

1. Garlic and Pepper Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 bulb of garlic (crushed)

• 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper

• 1 quart of water

• 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap (optional, helps the mixture adhere to plants)

Instructions:

1. Crush the garlic and combine it with the cayenne pepper in the water.

2. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours.

3. Strain the mixture and add the dish soap.

4. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray it on your plants, focusing on the undersides of leaves.

Why it works: The strong smell and spiciness repel insects like aphids, caterpillars, and mites.

2. Neem Oil Spray

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of neem oil

• 1 teaspoon of dish soap (helps emulsify the oil in water)

• 1 quart of water

Instructions:

1. Mix the neem oil and dish soap into the water.

2. Shake well and spray onto plants, especially targeting pests like aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs.

Why it works: Neem oil acts as both an insect repellent and a fungicide. It disrupts the pests’ feeding and reproductive cycles.

3. Soap and Water Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap

• 1 quart of water

Instructions:

1. Mix the dish soap and water.

2. Spray the mixture on the leaves, ensuring the pests are targeted.

Why it works: The soap breaks down the exoskeletons of soft-bodied insects like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs.

4. Mint or Rosemary Spray

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of fresh mint or rosemary (or 2 tablespoons of dried herbs)

• 1 quart of water

• 1 tablespoon of vinegar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Boil the water and add the mint or rosemary.

2. Let it steep for 20 minutes, then strain the mixture.

3. Add vinegar if desired and pour it into a spray bottle.

4. Spray it on plants to keep pests like ants, aphids, and mosquitoes away.

Why it works: The strong scent of mint and rosemary is unpleasant to a variety of pests, making them avoid treated plants.

5. Chili Pepper Spray

Ingredients:

• 2-3 hot chili peppers

• 1 quart of water

• 1 teaspoon of dish soap (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut the chili peppers and blend them with water in a blender.

2. Strain the mixture and add dish soap.

3. Spray on plants where pests are present.

Why it works: The intense heat from the chili peppers deters pests like aphids, caterpillars, and ants.

6. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of food-grade diatomaceous earth

• 1 quart of water

Instructions:

1. Dissolve diatomaceous earth in water.

2. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it on plants.

Why it works: DE is a natural substance that has tiny, sharp particles that damage the exoskeletons of insects, causing them to dehydrate and die. It’s safe for humans and animals but deadly to pests.

7. Citrus Peel Spray

Ingredients:

• Peels from 2-3 citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, or grapefruits)

• 1 quart of water

Instructions:

1. Boil the citrus peels in water for 20 minutes.

2. Strain and let it cool before pouring into a spray bottle.

3. Spray on affected plants.

Why it works: Citrus oils have natural insect-repellent properties and deter pests like ants, aphids, and mosquitoes.