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!
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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
What kind of mint do I use in this spray? Does it matter?I have chocolate mint, peppermint, spearmint, and pineapple mint in my garden. Something is destroying my basil plant.
I don’t think it matters, Judy. I used both peppermint and spearmint.
Oh….one more thing….when using diatom. earth – put it in an old spice bottle with a shaker. Makes application a lot easier and you don’t waste any.
Thanks for these tips, Wendy!:)
I just found this, but a couple of weeks ago I mixed up almost this same recipe with mint essential oil, olive oil infused with garlic, a small amount of Cheyenne pepper, a squirt of dish soap and water…no cooking. I had aphids in mass on my apple tree. Sprayed it down and removed the affected leaves – 3 weeks later everything is healthy and no bugs in sight. I used the left overs in my garden (but avoided the peas and beans because they don’t like onions and garlic). Everything is doing great. I went back and hit the peas and beans with a neem oil / water mix. I found one earwig in my garden this AM (he’s toast) nothing else.
I can’t wait to try this! Does it matter what kind of mint leaves? I have spearmint in my garden, could I just use that?
I can’t wait to try this! Doesn’t matter what kind of mint leaves? I have spearmint in my garden.
Nope, I used both spearmint and peppermint, Stephanie. 🙂
I used the mixture of garlic and mint on my garden veg. and it seems to be working great, thanks for the info.
Good to know your experience, Lisa – thanks for taking the time to give an update!
Will give this a try as my basil gets eaten after my first pesto raid every year, that is if we make it even that far! Thanks for posting!
I can’t believe after looking through all of these comments that not one person commented on the smell! My whole entire house stinks. I made this yesterday morning and it still smells like garlic and mint. My husband even complained about it. I washed the pans in this dishwasher and they still smell as well as my dishwasher! I certainly hope this works. I just sprayed it on my plants and will see how they do. I guess if it keeps the bugs away it will be worth it!
Sorry, Sue! No one in our house noticed anything terrible, and I actually think it smells kinda good – the mint does that for me. Maybe you’ll have to make it outside and just hand wash in the future?
The smell goes away! I made it yesterday and it smelled at first but today its gone! 🙂
We raise honey bees. Will this spray on plants hurt them?
We have bees on our property, too, and I haven’t noticed it – it mainly works from scent repelling. The chili pepper may hurt a bug that ingests it, but that’s not bees. They’ll stay away though, and may not pollinate, so you only want to use this a couple times to get a result and then ease up.
Ladybugs and bees are beneficial insects as ladybugs are predators of many pests of plants and the bees help in pollination.
I wondering, I’ve made the mint/garlic pesto and I feel like chunks are going to clog the spray bottle nozzle? I haven’t tried it yet bc it has to sit in the fridge over night, do I strain the mixture? Also, how long can I keep the mixture in the spray bottle until it goes bad?
Yes, Alicia, the recipe says to strain it into your application bottle. 🙂
what kind of mint? I only have peppermint, will that work?
Yep, any kind of strong mint should work! I used a combo of spearmint and peppermint.
Instead of discarding the strained mint and garlic, I’m going to spread it around a damp problem area in my yard and see if it cuts down on the Mosquitos. Couldn’t hurt right?
No – I’ll be curious to see if that works at all, Shelli!
Wondering what happens if you don’t let it sit overnight…? I’m too excited to wait! I want to use it now! Haha. 🙂
It wouldn’t be as strong, Ashley, so may not work as well. Can you strain only some of it and apply right away to see if it works? Then you’d still have some left of the strong stuff to use. 🙂
I am having trouble with white cottony looking stuff or bugs on my rose stems. Do you think this would work to clear them away?
“White cottony stuff” sounds like mildew to me, Janis, and this won’t help that – you’ll need something to fight fungal diseases. There are some good ones for organic gardens in the stores and you can Google if there are people who’ve tried homemade fungicides, but I haven’t yet. 🙂
If you see bugs, too, you can try this, though if they’re just aphids (little green bugs), then a good blasting of water will get them off. Hope that helps some!
Glad I found this on Pinterest – going to mix some up. I’m worried with that much garlic though, and it steeping overnight…. my house is going to smell like garlic for a month!! : ) Still worth it – slugs and who-knows-what-else are eating everything, especially my basil!
The smell isn’t too bad, Stacey, but if it bugs you it can always steep in a garage, shed, or even outside on a patio. 🙂
I would like to know if it would be ok to spray it on my vegetable plants. I’m starting a small garden with squash, bell pepper and tomatoes. Thanks.
Yep, it’s safe for anything, really, Tonya. I used it successfully on beans as well that we talked about in our video about this spray, too – have you seen that?
Is this safe to make inside a home? I made it, and phew it is POTENT!!!
It’s just foodstuff, so safe, but yes potent and chilies can make your eyes water and such, so I’d be careful with it like I am with chilies when cooking with them. 🙂
Just made a batch of this to try tomorrow. I hope it doesn’t keep away good bugs, like bees. Anyone know if it does or not?
We have hives on our acre property and I haven’t noticed any issue, but I don’t use it a lot – just on the things that need it a few times during the season.
Can I use chilli powder instead of cayenne powder?
Chili powder is a mix of a bunch of different seasonings, Stephanie (if you’re talking about the chili powder we use to make chili and not a powder from a specific chili only), so it would be diluted I think and may not work as well. Your call, though!