Protecting Plants Pests and Pestilence
DIY Recipes for Natural Pest Sprays
Ŋ Garlic-Pepper Spray: Blend 2 bulbs of garlic, 4 hot peppers and 4 cups of water. Strain, then dilute with 1 gallon of water. Spray on plants to repel deer, rabbits, aphids and caterpillars. Reapply after rain.
Ŋ Chili Powder Spray: Mix 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of liquid soap and 1 quart of water. Shake and spray on plants to deter deer, rodents and insects. Reapply after rain.
Ŋ Neem Oil Solution: Mix 2 teaspoons of neem oil, 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap and 1 quart of water. Shake well. This all-purpose spray disrupts the life cycle of pests like whiteflies and spider mites.
Ŋ Essential Oil Repellent: Combine 10 drops of peppermint oil, 10 drops of citronella oil and 1 cup of water. Spray entry points to repel rodents and insects.
Ŋ Onion-Garlic Spray: Blend 1 onion, 1 bulb of garlic and 1 cup of water into a paste. Dilute with 1 quart of water, strain and spray to repel beetles, caterpillars and aphids.
Ŋ Citrus Spray: Boil the peels of 2 lemons or oranges in 4 cups of water for 10 minutes. Cool, strain and spray on plants to repel ants, whiteflies, cats and rodents.
Ŋ Soap and Baking Soda Solution: Dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap in 1 quart of water. Spray on plants to prevent powdery mildew and fungal pests.
Ŋ Eucalyptus Spray: Mix 10 drops of eucalyptus oil with 2 cups of water. Spray around garden edges or storage areas to repel flies, beetles and rodents.
Work With Wildlife
Encourage natural predators to manage pest populations and maintain ecological balance. Birds, bats, frogs and snakes can be some of the best allies in controlling unwanted insects and rodents.
Here’ s how to make your space more inviting to these helpful creatures. Ŋ Birds and Bats: Birdhouses, bat boxes and owl boxes to provide shelter for flying friends who feed on mosquitoes, flies and other winged pests.
Ŋ Frogs and Toads: Water features like ponds and birdbaths attract amphibians that feast on insects.
Ŋ Snakes: Small rock piles shelter nonvenomous snakes that hunt rodents.
By creating a habitat for these natural predators, you’ ll reduce the need for chemical interventions while promoting a healthy, balanced ecosystem.
Tailored Solutions for Common Pests
Different pests call for different approaches, and natural methods often work as well or better than chemicals. Ŋ Dislodge aphids with a blast of water and introduce ladybugs to control them long term. Ŋ Employ a spayed or neutered barn cat to keep rodent populations down. Ŋ Place copper tape around plant beds or set up beer traps to stop slugs from damaging your garden. Ŋ Apply diatomaceous earth to eliminate aphids, cockroaches, flea
Ways to Attract Beneficial Insects
Ŋ Ladybugs: Dill and fennel provide food and shelter for ladybugs.
Ŋ Lacewings: Cosmos, goldenrod, daisies, fennel and coriander attract these dainty insects that feast on aphids and thrips.
Ŋ Bees: Native wildflowers like coneflowers and blackeyed Susans attract bees. Avoid pesticides that could harm pollinators.
Ŋ Praying Mantises: Shrubs and tall grasses provide nesting areas for these powerful insect predators.
Ŋ Hoverflies: Alyssum, yarrow and parsley attract hoverflies, whose larvae devour aphids and other pests.
Ŋ Ground Beetles: Ground-cover perennials like clover and evening primrose draw these nocturnal predators that feed on slugs, caterpillars and cutworms.
Ŋ Spiders: Leave undisturbed corners in gardens with rocks, logs or mulch to encourage beneficial spiders to stay and prey on insect pests.
Ŋ Parasitic Wasps: Grow plants like dill, coriander and chamomile to attract these tiny wasps that lay eggs inside pest larvae to naturally control pest populations.
Ŋ Dragonflies: Install a small pond or water feature to draw dragonflies that eat mosquitoes, flies and other flying pests.
beetles, bed bugs and other pests in your home and garden.
Ŋ Make mosquitoes buzz off— drain sitting water, plant citronella grass around seating areas and try mosquito dunks. These tablets are made of bacterium that’ s toxic to mosquito larvae but don’ t harm humans, pets or wildlife. Float one or more in ponds, birdbaths and rain barrels.
Ŋ Mix castor oil and dish soap to deter moles and voles. Combine ½ cup castor oil, 2 tablespoons of dish soap and 1 gallon water. Spray over molehills and vole tunnels.
Natural pest control does more than keep properties pestfree. It lets you work with the environment to create a thriving, balanced habitat for plants, animals and people. By combining prevention, planting and wildlife strategies, you can enjoy a home and garden that are healthier, more sustainable and freer of harmful chemicals.
Whether you’ re managing a rural acreage or a backyard garden, these approaches will help you reclaim your space while respecting the natural world.
32 | 515-574-2341 | 515-574-2189 | February 2025