Natural Insect Spray For Plants (A DIY That Really Works!!)
Tired of pesky pests taking over your plants? Check out this amazing all natural insect spray for plants, made with all-natural ingredients like garlic and mint. Easy to make and use, this homemade garden garden spray was tested on badly attacked basil plants & a flowering vine and worked with only 2 applications! Say goodbye to harmful chemicals and hello to a healthier, greener garden.
“SIX Stars!! Oh my goodness…..this is the BEST insect plant spray I have come across!!! I was so tired of grasshoppers (or something) eating and destroying my dwarf cantas! They were still trying to bloom, but they looked awful! Mixed this and sprayed. THREE days later, my cantas have new, shiny, beautiful leaves again!! This stuff is AMAZING!” -Cheryl B.
Welcome to one of my most popular gardening DIYs: how to make a natural insect spray easily from pantry ingredients like garlic and mint – that actually works! Be sure to check out these other resources for more information on this bug repellent:
- A follow-up video showing how to make it, apply it, and how it worked on green beans, too.
- A Frequently Asked Questions page with answers to most questions I’ve gotten, plus reader testimonials about how this has worked in their gardens – both good and bad.
Okay, I’m SO excited to finally share with you the results of a get-rid-of-nasty-garden-bug experiment I’ve been conducting on my poor, bug-eaten basil plants and trumpet vine. I know I’ve teased you with my testing for long enough – we all deal with bugs, so I know you’ll be as happy to see the results as I was!
The background to this experiment is a tale known to many organic gardeners (and maybe even would-be gardeners who gave up when faced with seemingly destroyed plants?):
- Years of either ignoring the issue (and losing plants or living with damaged plants).
- Trying many different remedies from diatomaceous earth (works on many things though tedious to apply, sometimes hard to find, needs a lot of reapplication, may kill good bugs) to soap and water (this never really did much in my garden).
And for some reason, while I don’t have much of a problem beyond cucumber beetles in our large, main garden (and most years I don’t lose plants to them), our herb garden hosts something(s) that have eaten the basil every year since we added it to our backyard.
Because of this I created a spray (adapted from a Keeper of the Home article) to use on the basil, but didn’t really keep track of it (because I wasn’t sure it would work…), although I do remember that it did, in fact, work.
So the following year when our basil was hit particularly hard, as well as some marigolds I planted among the herbs and a trumpet vine growing up the gazebo nearby, I mixed up a batch, wrote it down this time and documented in pictures so if it really did work, I could share it with you.
And you’re not going to believe how well it worked – in fact, as I was putting this together I was thinking I was going to have to add disclaimers on the photos like “I promise these really are the same plants” or something, so you’ll believe me!
DIY Natural Insect Spray For Plants: The Experiment
1. Bug Eaten Basil
So I’m pinky-swearing or whatever you need from me: the three photos in the collage above really, honestly are the same plant from beginning to four weeks later. I know, can you believe it?
And also honestly: even after 20+ years of growing things, seeing stunted, bug-eaten plants like my poor basil makes me want to throw in the towel sometimes. It’s just…ugh. These were three basil plants that I grew from seed, nurturing them along and to see them look like this in just a few weeks after planting out? It’s hard.
And so I sprayed my homemade garlic-mint spray all over that poor plant, but I didn’t really think it was much for this world. It had only one growing tip left, but seriously, look at it (above left) – who would give that guy a chance?
Well, I started seeing results within days – new growth! After a week I still was a bit skeptical – was that old bug-bitten leaves or new?
But by week 2, I knew we had a winner and I snapped a picture before applying one more light spraying and then waiting another 2 weeks.
Look at this beautiful, healthy basil plant!
There’s a bug-bite here and there, but I can live with that (and we organic gardeners do, often, a-hem), but most of the new growth is blemish-free and I’ve started harvesting and making our not-so-secret-ingredient frugal pesto to freeze.
2. Almost Dead Basil
Now, I had to share this with you as well, even though the photos were not taken in great light. The plant on the left, above, was the worst of the three basils – stunted beyond anything I had seen with every growing tip eaten off and the remaining leaves were hard and leathery.
It was so bad I actually did dig it up and was just about to drop it in the compost (which I probably would’ve done if I hadn’t been planning on sharing this with you all, ha!), but at the last minute I planted it in an empty spot out in the main garden, spraying it with the garlic-mint spray.
And while it took longer to rebound, I took the photo on the right just a few days ago, hardly believing what I was seeing.
Is this stuff a miracle worker, or what? I should probably mention, too, that when I applied it the first time, we got a ton of rain the following week and I was sure it wasn’t going to work.
Garden M-I-R-A-C-L-E.
3. Trump Vine Damage
And, you can probably see where this is going (should I have saved all the afters for the end? I was just too excited to share with you!) but here we have a reminder of the trumpet vine damage.
This insect (I still don’t know what – I’ve never seen anything so it must be nocturnal) ate leaves like other bugs, but seemed to zero in on the new growing tips, which is a sure way to kill a plant.
And now the vine is growing like trumpet vines are supposed to (that would be out-of-control, for those not familiar with trumpet vines, ha!), full of lovely leaves and new growing tips.
I think this thing has grown 3 feet in just a couple weeks, that’s how much the insects had stunted it.
All Natural Insect Spray Video (with even more examples)
How to Make A Natural Insect Spray for Plants
So, are you dying to know what is in the spray and how to make it?
It’s super easy and uses easy-to-find (or grow) ingredients – I created it by combining a couple of sources, none of which had a clear ‘recipe’ (I credited one source above) so I’m writing it out for you so you can make it whenever you need it (see recipe card below for exact measurements).
- Use a food processor or blender to grind up fresh mint and a LOT of garlic.
- Transfer the mixture to a large stockpot with 12 cups of water and some cayenne.
- Boil, remove from heat and let sit overnight.
- STRAIN with a fine-mesh strainer into a couple spray bottles or large gallon garden sprayer – add a couple squirts of biodegradable dish soap.
That’s it! Shake well before using and spray all over and under the plant’s leaves one time. See how the plant responds after a week or two and reapply if needed (I only need a couple applications before the plant is strong enough to withstand the bugs).
I’m so happy to share this with you because I think you’re going to love it as much as I do!
Oh, and the mint? It makes this smell good – no yucky concoction here for you to suffer through (Update: some commenters have said the garlic-pepper part did bother them, so when you’re boiling, use adequate ventilation.)
Testimonials and FAQs
Don’t forget to read the Testimonials & FAQ where you’ll find answers to the most common asked questions as well as results from those who’ve used it!
Looking for more easy gardening ideas?
Want to save this?
Enter your email below and you’ll get it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get easy new recipes, gardening tips & more every week!
Natural Insect Spray for Plants Recipe
Tools
- Food Processor
- Large Stockpot
- Strainer
- Spray Bottles
Materials
- 2 whole HEADS garlic, cloves separated and peeled
- 3 cups mint leaves and stems, too – I just throw it all in now
- 2 teaspoons dry cayenne pepper
- 12 cups water
- 2 small squirts of biodegradable dishwashing liquid
Instructions
- Add the garlic and mint to a food processor and pulse for a few seconds.
- Transfer mixture to a large pot and add the cayenne and 12c. water.
- Bring to a boil; remove from heat and let sit overnight.
- Strain into a couple spray bottles (or gallon garden sprayer) and add the two small squirts of dish soap.
- To Use:
- Shake well before each use.
- Spray all the leaves on affected plants, including the undersides – preferably on a cloudy day so as not to burn the plants.
- Wait a few days to see the effect and then apply more if needed (many times I’ve only needed to do one application)
Video
Notes
Didn’t really see any good results. Maybe I need to spray more or less? Not sure.
It may not work on the bugs you have, Nancy.
can I use dried mint?
It’s not as strong smelling, so you may have to add more. Just be sure you can actually smell it (along with the garlic, that is!).
Hi!
I having trouble getting my hands on caenne pepper at this moment.
I have malaguetas at home (similar hot chilli pepper, different species of capsicum), would it work the same?
thank you?
It should, Lizzie, as long as it is a hot pepper variety.
Question, if i dont have food processor or blender, can i just smash up mint in bowl and can i use already minced garlic i got at store in jar, maybe just less of it?
Yes, as long as it’s broken up enough to steep well, that’s fine. I’d actually use more of jarred garlic since it’s not as strong smelling as fresh and it’s the smell we’re wanting to keep the bugs away.
I couldn’t believe the photos that you shared are the same bug eaten plants. I have the same problems with my garden. But after reading this. Now I can get rid of those bugs. Wait lady bugs! until I made this garlic mint spray. Thank you for sharing this to us. Definitely will try this.
My indoor wax plant / hoya was outside this summer and now has some yellow aphids.
You think your garlic mint spray will do the trick with out harming the plant? Need to spray under side as well, right? How many spray do you use per application? Then wait and see?
THX!
Lauren
Hmm, I’ve never seen it hurt a plant, but not sure if aphids would care about this. Usually you can just use a good spray of water to get aphids off. I would take the plant outside and spray it well to knock them off and then bring it inside.
I made and sprayed this over the summer and it worked REALLY well at keeping bugs at bay. Thank you. 🙂 Wondering if there are any plants that this should NOT be used on? (anything react negatively to peppermint or garlic?)
Glad this worked for you, Terri! I personally haven’t found anything it hurts, but I’ve had a couple readers tell me it has burned some of their plants (have you checked out the FAQs and testimonials?).
I’ve got a pot on the stove as im writing this, this year my garden is infested with small slugs snails tiger slugs due to the very wet weather at present they really are having a field day in my garden have been trying alsorts I mean alsorts, im really looking forward to trying this and hope I can save many plants and seedlings will let you know how I get on.
Well, let me know how it goes – I haven’t had much success with this on slugs because they don’t care about the smell. 🙂
Hi there. I can’t spare 3 cups of mint. I wonder if this would work without it?
Probably not as good. If you can get mint extract, it may work.
I sprayed recipe on my basil plants at night so it would not burn in the sun but in the morning they are covered in brown patches. Do you know what would have caused that?
No, as you can see from the photos, my plants didn’t do that. Where are you located? Basil right now in northern areas are starting to brown from the weather… could that be it?
I’m in South Florida so actually we are at the beginning of our garden season. Summer months are too hot to start plants. Maybe 2 “squirts” was too much squirt on my part??
Maybe for your area.
I also used this on my roses waiting to see but they look better. Do we need to respray when it rains
Yes, it would need to be reapplied if there is still damage from bugs.
Thankyou so much Jami. This will fix my problem of basil and other herbs getting chewed by predatory bugs. I am hoping that it also keeps fruit fly out of my yard. Thanks again Helen mackenzie Australia.
Yes, hopefully it will work on your bugs there like it did on mine!
Can I use something other then the biodegradable dishwashing liquid
No, it needs to be dishwashing liquid to help the spray stick to the leaves and I’d only use biodegradable for plants we want to eat.
Thanks for the recipe! I did try it! I have a question: do you store it in room temperature, or in the fridge? Thanks!
Room temp is okay for a few days, but for longer storage refrigerating might keep the potency longer.
I just sprayed a homemade Neem oil spray on my garden. I’ve been invaded by cutworms and leafhoppers. However, I did mix some of this Garlic Mint insect spray and will try it in a few days. The Neem oil hasn’t worked very well for me so I’m hoping this garlic mint spray will do the trick! Thanks for sharing.
Gosh, hope this works for you Deb!
I am trying a soap, veg oil, mint, cayenne, garlic (power) mix tonight.
I hope it works
Hmm, I haven’t tried the oil – let us know if it works!
That is great, how often should I spray my cucumber plants so the beetles do not destroy the plants.
You just need to do it once, see what happens after a few days and spray again as needed, always waiting to see.
I have a plague of earwigs this year, they are eating everything! I am going to give this a try! Thank-you so much for posting it, I will let you know how it goes. 😊
Hopefully this will work for those pests, Emee!
Thank you, it looks very doable and nice to see something without oil, even cold pressed Neem Oil.
1, Will this work on tomatoes? I kept seeing tiny hols on my leaves but no bugs, and now I see tiny tiny green bugs and teensy white things (eggs?) on the leaves, very minimally – I’m hoping to use on my edible container garden plants which are in close proximity to each other.
2. Is dry cayenne better than fresh small chili peppers?
Thank you again!
Ling
If it’s whiteflies or flea beetles, this should work for the tomatoes. If it’s tomato hornworm, I’m not sure. I’ve only used the cayenne since it was easier to get and the heat is consistent.
Trying your recipe this weekend. Something has enjoyed my black eyed Susan’s all the way to the stem. I live in Richmond, Va. Hoping for the same results you had! Thanks for posting.
Fingers crossed – let us know how it does!
Can you use this recipe on diseases Rose’s and other flowers?
No, it’s not for diseases, just for repelling insects.