Every gardener looks for effective ways to make homemade insect killers and is always open to new suggestions. Insects can wreak havoc in a garden, and unfortunately, the more you know about them, the harder it is not to succumb to their wrath. Keep reading for ways to make your insecticide that will surely keep those pesky pests out of your garden.

1. Tomato leaves:

Natural and economical, tomato leaves contain an acid called ‘lycopene which has both insecticidal and fungicidal properties. For this remedy, gather as many full-grown but still green leaves from tomato plants (it doesn’t matter if they’re diseased or not) and steep them overnight in boiling water. Strain and dilute the liquid with water, then spray your plants to kill caterpillars.

2. Onion and garlic spray:

Both onions and garlic are powerful natural insecticides that kill aphids, beetles, spider mites, lace bugs, ants, and many other creepy crawlies. To make this remedy, simply chop a whole onion finely and some garlic cloves into small pieces. Combine all the ingredients in a blender until well chopped. Pour the mixture into a water bottle and let it sit for about 2 days before straining out the plant particles using a cheesecloth or a fine sieve. Now just mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap with every onion/garlic mixture cup as an insecticide spray.

3. Salt, pepper, and water spray:

A very simple remedy is this salt, pepper, and water insecticide, which kills many types of insects. To make it, simply combine 1/2 cup sea salt with 1 tablespoon each of ground black peppercorns and crushed red chili flakes in a jar; fill the rest of the jar with water until all ingredients are soaked. Let sit overnight, then strain out the solid plant matter. Mix the solution with 2 tablespoons of dish soap, pour into a spray bottle, and use directly on affected plants to kill aphids as well as mealybugs.

4. Mint Spray:

While mint is good for your garden-fresh salads, it’s also very beneficial for your garden because it repels harmful insects. To make it, simply combine a handful of fresh mint leaves with the same amount of boiling water. Let steep overnight, then strain out the plant matter. Add 1 tablespoon dish soap to every 3 cups of the mint solution as an insecticide spray. This mint spray will kill caterpillars, beetles, ants, and even slugs.

5. Hot Pepper Spray:

Capsaicin is what gives chili peppers their heat, along with their powerful insecticidal properties. This hot pepper spray works quickly and kills aphids, ants, mites, and whiteflies without harming your plants or natural predators that help keep pests away from your garden. To make this remedy, chop up some hot peppers finely, then pour 1 cup boiling water over them. Let sit for a couple of days to extract the capsaicin, then strain the plant particles and mix with 1 tablespoon dish soap.

Pour into a spray bottle and use directly on affected plants. Be careful not to get any of this spray onto your skin because it will burn. Natural insecticides are both affordable and effective- a win-win situation all around! It’s best to make batches in advance, so you always have some ready. The next time insects take over your garden, try following these recipes and say goodbye to pests!

(For more pest control blog, check this article: How can I control pests naturally?)