7 Natural Pest Control Methods

Try these natural pest control methods for garden pest control! Natural sprays, soil fertility and companion planting can help reduce or eliminate unwanted pests in your garden and help your garden thrive.

If you do any gardening, not only do you have to deal with the possibility of mosquitos, chances are that you get critters crawling on your plants too.  Instead of breaking out the pesticides, reach for natural pest control methods.

After all, most of the reason you have your own garden is to keep your produce pesticide free – right?

Synthetic chemicals can have profound effects on your health as well as the environment … so it’s important to have natural options to deal with those critters that won’t leave you with health implications later on.

If you have little knowledge on the effects of synthetic products on your produce .. you can read more about them here.

7 Natural Pest Control Methods

Here are 7 natural pest control options to keep in mind ~ each and every person may have a different experience with these listed below so it’s important to find that one that works best for you, in your area, and with the critters you are dealing with.

These are all relatively low in cost .. and easy to make, with most ingredients being readily available to most.

Garlic Spray

Garlic has anti-fungal properties and is oftentimes used as a natural medicine.. it is a potent pesticide and also very easy to make.   Compared to other organic pesticides, this is probably the most potent, effective, spray out there for the least cost.

To make, peel and crush the cloves from 5 (five) bulbs of garlic. Crush well and mix with 16 oz. of water. Let infuse for 6 hours at room temperature (your countertop in the kitchen). Then pass through a very fine strainer and pour into a Spray Bottle (if you are without a spray bottle simply reuse one from home or, pick up this 2 pk of Glass Spray Bottles on Amazon.

Neem Oil

Neem Oil is a very effective way to prevent pests in the garden without harsh chemicals – Neem Oil itself is extracted from the seeds of a tree grown in India.  There in India, they harvest the fruit of this tree, harvest the husks and sell the seeds in mass to facilities that press the oil twice – the first press (Neem Oil), kills soft body insects but is not harmful to bees OR earthforms. 

You can find cold pressed Neem Oil on Amazon.

Epsom Salt

Epsom Salt is not only a great pest deterrent, it’s a great way to enhance nutrition absorption in the soil – magnesium encourages the roots of the plants to absorb more magnesium, sulfur, and even phosphorus.

While you can spray OR sprinkle, if you opt to spray you will want to mix 1 C. of Epsom Salt with 5 gallons of water and keep in a larger sprayer to apply to the garden plants.   Take the rest of the Epsom Salt and sprinkle around the base of the plants to deter pests but also help the soil with greater absorption.

You can find Epsom Salt on Amazon.

Hot Pepper Spray

Hot peppers can be very effective -but fair warning: you will need to use gloves!

Much similar to garlic spray, hot peppers are extremely effective up to twice a week on plants in your garden. To make you will want to gather 2 chopped cups of the hottest Habanero Peppers, combine with a Tablespoon of Cayenne Pepper AND a bulb of Garlic (peeled) and put in your food processor. Puree until fine, then add to a bucket with 4 gallons of water. 

Steep that mixture for 24 hours. Then add a few Tablespoons of Dish Soap (Seventh Generation) and strain through a fine strainer into a spray bottle and apply up to twice per week.

Rubbing Alcohol

This works great on plants too – but it’s always best to test a small area before you go wild and apply it to the full garden.

For the best and max effectiveness, combine one part Rubbing Alcohol (70-90%) with 9 quarts water in a spray bottle and spray the plant in the morning OR early evening.  Allow to dry thoroughly.  Then rinse off with the hose (clean water) and repeat the treatment weekly.

Castile Soap

For one of the most easy and effortless sprays .. grab your Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Mild Castile Soap and add 1 Tablespoon to a quart of warm water. Spray on your plants up to twice weekly.

For even more potency, add 10-20 drops of Essential Oil (Peppermint, Rosemary or even Cedarwood).

You can find Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap on Amazon.

Essential Oils

Essential Oils are great for supporting your health, and work amazingly well in the garden too…  Here are some of the BEST oils to have for your garden:

• Rosemary Essential Oil (great for flies, mosquitoes)
• Peppermint Essential Oil (great for ants, and aphids, even spiders)
• Thyme Essential Oil (great for Cockroaches, and Ticks)
• Clove Essential Oil (great for anything that flies)
• Cedarwood Essential Oil (good for slugs or snails)
• Pine Essential Oil (also good for slugs or snails)

The best way to use Essential Oils is to incorporate 20-25 drops in a glass spray bottle (avoid using plastics); add 1-2 Tbsp Witch Hazel to help suspend the fragrance and spray up to 2 times each week on affected areas.

Have you tried any of these natural pest control methods? What natural pest control methods have worked best for you?