Home & Garden
3 easy homemade bug repellents
No need to buy expensive pesticides, here are three easy homemade concoctions that will repel those pesky pests in your garden. Plus, it’s safer for you, your garden and the wider environment.
Garlic spray
Garlic spray is a great, safe insect repellent that can be applied to the leaves of plants. It deters soft-bodied insects, aphids, snails and chewing caterpillars.
- Mince or crush three or four entire garlic bulbs
- Mix with 40mls mineral oil, 500mls water and 25g soap flakes
- Let mixture rest for at least a day
- Strain mixture and dilute 15mls to 1 litre of water
Tomato leaf spray
Tomato leaves are packed with alkaloids, which is fatal to aphids and mites.
- Chop or mash one to two cups of tomato leaves
- Soak in two cups of water overnight
- Strain mixture and add two cups of water
Nettle spray
The common stinging nettle is a good general-purpose insect spray, particularly useful for controlling aphids and leaf miners.
- Soak young nettle leaves in water for a week
- Strain and use undiluted. Best when applied within a few days.
Related links:
What you need to know about your soil’s pH levels
8 great uses for Epsom salt in the garden