The #1 Question We Get: "How Do You Keep Pests Away?" Our Go-To DIY Spray Recipe

The #1 Question We Get: "How Do You Keep Pests Away?" Our Go-To DIY Spray Recipe

Hello, plant people!

It has been an absolute joy meeting so many of you at The Greenhouse Gang over the past few weeks. Seeing our community of plant lovers grow is what it's all about. As we’ve been chatting with you, one question has popped up more than any other: "With all these plants, how do you possibly keep the pests out?"

Living in Florida, that can feel like a full-time job. After diving deep into the research rabbit hole, I found the foundation for a DIY spray that has become our absolute secret weapon. We’ve since adapted the measurements for a larger batch, and it’s what we now use on everything that comes into the house. It's incredibly effective, and once you understand what each ingredient does, you'll see why it works so well.

Let's get right to it.

 

Our Go-To DIY Pest Control Spray

 

This recipe is for a 1-gallon pump sprayer, which is perfect for tackling your entire collection.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup Tea Tree Castile Soap (we prefer Dr. Woods, but any quality brand works)
  • 1/2 cup Peppermint Castile Soap (again, we use Dr. Woods, but feel free to use your favorite)
  • 2 cups 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
  • 2 Tablespoons 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Filtered or Distilled Water

Instructions:

  1. Pour the Castile soaps, isopropyl alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide into your 1-gallon pump sprayer.

  2. Top off the sprayer with filtered water.

  3. Seal the sprayer, shake it gently to combine the ingredients, and pump it to build pressure.

  4. You're ready to go!

 

Why This Works: A Breakdown of the Ingredients

 

The magic of this spray isn't just one ingredient—it's how they work together. Here’s a look at what each component brings to the table.

 

Castile Soap (Tea Tree & Peppermint)

 

  • What it does: The soap itself is the primary insecticide. Unlike harsh chemical pesticides, insecticidal soaps like Castile work on a mechanical level. They wash away the waxy outer layer of soft-bodied insects (like aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips), causing them to dehydrate and die.

  • Tea Tree Power: Tea tree oil is a natural powerhouse known for its potent antifungal and antibacterial properties. Adding it to the mix helps combat fungal issues like powdery mildew and keeps the soil environment clean.

  • Peppermint Power: Pests hate the smell of peppermint. It acts as a powerful repellent, discouraging pests like spiders and ants from setting up camp on your plants in the first place.

 

70% Isopropyl Alcohol

 

  • What it does: Think of this as the fast-acting booster. Alcohol is a solvent that immediately begins to dissolve the protective shells of pests on contact. It’s particularly effective against stubborn pests like mealybugs and scale. It also evaporates quickly, which minimizes the risk of leaf damage.

 

3% Hydrogen Peroxide

 

  • What it does: Hydrogen peroxide is fantastic for soil health. It breaks down into water and an extra oxygen atom (). This extra oxygen helps aerate the soil, which can combat root rot. More importantly for pest control, it kills fungus gnat larvae, bacteria, and fungal spores living in the topsoil.

 

Filtered Water

 

  • What it does: This might seem like a small detail, but it makes a big difference! Tap water contains minerals that can leave behind unsightly white spots on your plant’s leaves after the spray dries. Using filtered or distilled water ensures a clean, spot-free finish.

 

How to Use It for Maximum Effect

 

  1. Always Patch Test: Before dousing a prized plant, spray a single leaf and wait 24-48 hours to ensure there's no adverse reaction.

  2. Timing is Everything: Spray your plants in the early morning or evening. Applying this spray in direct, hot sun can lead to leaf scorch.

  3. Saturate Everything: Don't be shy! Pests love to hide. Liberally spray the tops and undersides of all leaves, the stems, and the top layer of the soil.

  4. Repeat for Stubborn Pests: While most problems are solved in one application, some pests are more resilient. Thrips, for example, lay their eggs inside the leaf tissue. For a thrips infestation, you'll need to reapply every 3-4 days for about two weeks to break their life cycle.

This spray has become my all-purpose solution for buggy pests—not just the ones on our plants. I use it on everything from wasp nests and spider webs to ant trails.

While this spray is our primary line of defense, we're always exploring new and natural ways to keep our plants thriving. The next step in our pest management journey is something we're incredibly excited about: rearing beneficial insects to let nature do the work for us! Stay tuned for a future post where we dive into the world of predatory mites and pirate bugs.

For now, we hope this recipe helps you keep your green friends happy, healthy, and pest-free!

Let us know in the comments if you give it a try or if you have your own secret weapon for fighting pests!

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