These five homemade insecticides are easy to make and totally safe to use in your vegetable garden. When mixing homemade insect sprays, use warm water and apply them to plants when temperatures are between 40-90 degrees. Some oil based sprays can burn certain plants, especially during hot summer temperatures. Before applying sprays to the entire plant, test it on a few leaves first. You can then adjust the spray by using less oil or adding water.
Homemade Insect Spray Basic Oil: May burn cauliflower, red cabbage and squash, test first.
Mix 1 cup of vegetable oil (peanut oil, safflower or sunflower oil) and 1 tablespoon of dish washing detergent. Place in a covered jar or container. To make the spray: Add 1 ½ teaspoon of the oil and dish washing detergent mix to 1 cup of water. Spray plants as needed and repeat in 7 days if necessary.
Oil and garlic spray: This homemade insecticide kills aphids, cabbage moths, mosquitoes, and also powdery mildew fungi.
Take one head of garlic and mince it or run it through a garlic press. Blend in 1 cup of vegetable oil. Cover and place in the refrigerator for two days. After two days check for a strong garlic smell. If the garlic smell is not strong, add more garlic and place it back in the refrigerator for another day or two until the garlic smell is strong. It is ready to use once garlic odor is heavy. Once it is ready, strain the garlic out. To mix this homemade insect spray, mix four cups of warm water, 2-3 teaspoons of the garlic mix, and blend in 2-3 drops of dishwashing liquid. Spray on all surfaces of the plant at the first sign of insects.
Geranium spray. The strong smell of geraniums is known to repel insects. (This spray can be made with other strong scented plants such as marigolds or garlic).
Using a blender, mix equal parts of geranium and water, blend until smooth. Strain with a fine strainer. To make the spray : Add 1 teaspoon of the geranium mix with 2 cups of water.
Alcohol oil spray: This homemade insect spray will kill many different types of insects.
Mix 1 cup of isopropyl alcohol, 1 quart of water and 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil. Pour in a spray bottle, ready to use, no more mixing necessary.
Bug spray: This homemade insect spray is not for the weak of heart. Kids (supervised) may enjoy helping collect the bugs for this homemade insecticide!
Collect enough of the bugs attacking your garden to fill at least a half of a blender. Place the bugs in an old blender, turn it on and watch them liquify. Once the bugs are liquified, strain them and add water to make the spray. Adjust the strength of the spray as necessary by adding more bugs or using less water to dilute the spray.
These homemade insect sprays are less expensive and safer than commercial insecticides. They are all made with natural ingredients and are safe for you and the vegetables in your garden.
