What is a natural indoor bug repellent for plants?

Author: Shawn Flatley  |  Last update: Monday, July 7, 2025

Simple soap spray is useful in taking out a wide variety of common household pests, including aphids, scale, mites, and thrips. Just add 1 tablespoon of dishwashing soap to 1 gallon of water and spray the mixture on the pests.

What can I spray on my indoor plants to keep bugs away?

Use a mild dishwashing liquid or Castille Soap. Natural Hand soap can be used too. Add 1 tsp of dishwashing liquid soap to 1 Litre of water. Place in a spray bottle and gently spits your houseplant, covering the top and bottom of the leaves.

What is the best natural insect repellent for plants?

Marigolds are the traditional choice to repel insects. I Alternate Marigolds and herbs like Oregano and Lavender and Yarrow.

How to prevent bugs in indoor plants?

Use new, sterile potting soil when potting plants
  1. Never pot indoor plants using soil from the garden.
  2. Avoid using soil from open bags of potting soil that have sat outside for potting indoor plants. Save it for your outside pots.
  3. Plant in clean pots and wash soil off of plant roots.

What is the best home remedy for bugs on plants?

You can use alcohol and soap solution to kill bugs on your plants. To make the solution, mix 1 part white vinegar with 4 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray it over your plants every 2-3 days until all of the bugs are gone.

Systemic Pesticide for Houseplant - How to Use to Prevent Bugs & Insects - Bonide

How do I get rid of bugs eating my plant leaves?

Start with “soft” pesticides, such as insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or neem oil. If those don't help, chemical insecticides are available as a last resort.

What is a homemade insect killer for houseplants?

For years, extension specialists, including myself, routinely gave out the recipe for an effective, homemade insecticidal soap which consisted of a specific amount of liquid dishwashing detergent, diluted in water to create about a 2 percent solution and sprayed on the surface and undersides of leaves.

Is hydrogen peroxide safe for plants?

With all that in mind, the EPA says that hydrogen peroxide in low doses is indeed safe for plants. The caveat is of course, in the concentration. Too much can damage plants.

How to protect indoor plants?

10 Indoor Plant Care Tips to Ensure Happy, Healthy Houseplants
  1. Water Houseplants As Needed. ...
  2. Adjust Humidity Levels. ...
  3. Fertilize Houseplants Periodically. ...
  4. Propagate Houseplants When Needed. ...
  5. Repot Overgrown Houseplants. ...
  6. Remove Dust From Plants. ...
  7. Prune and Pinch Back Houseplants. ...
  8. Deadhead Flowers and Remove Dying Leaves.

What spray kills bugs but not plants?

Sevin® Insect Killer Ready to Spray
  • Won't harm your plants or blooms - when used as directed.
  • Protect your garden and flowers from listed damaging pests.
  • Kills by contact - over 500 listed insects.
  • Lasts 3 months - except fire ants, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
  • Easy-to-use - attach hose, turn on water and spray.

Does cinnamon repel bugs?

Yes, simple cinnamon is a common and economical tool that you can use to help facilitate repelling these insects. Cinnamon's intense aroma is overwhelming to insects and as a result they will seek a new home and breeding ground away from you.

How do you get rid of bugs without harming plants?

If severe cutting and cleaning doesn't rid the plants of the pest, you can apply a spray or soil treatment, such as diluted Castile soap or garlic barrier (an extract of garlic mixed with water and sprayed on plants).

What is a natural pesticide for indoor plants?

Vinegar. If you have a bottle of vinegar lying around, it could be the perfect pest control solution! Start by adding one cup of vinegar to three cups of water, then mix it in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on your houseplants and the strong scent will irritate the insects enough that they'll find food elsewhere.

Can I put essential oils in my plant water?

They are great, essential oils that are really powerful at helping to keep them healthy. And then one of my favorite little tips is Sandalwood essential oil, which most people would not think to use it with your plant. But if you put a drop in the water and then water it in, it really helps.

Will baking soda keep bugs off plants?

Pest Management with Baking Soda

Baking soda can deter some garden pests, such as slugs and ants. When sprinkled around plants, it creates an inhospitable environment for these pests. Ants, in particular, avoid baking soda as it disrupts their ability to maintain scent trails.

How often should I spray plants with hydrogen peroxide?

It also helps disinfect the growing material to stave off bacteria and fungus. Mix two and a half teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide in a gallon spray jug. Spray it liberally onto the potting soil or into the already planted pots. Continue every three to five days, concentrating on the roots as the plant grows.

How to get rid of gnats in plants?

How to Get Rid of Gnats on Houseplants
  1. Lure Them to Sticky Cards. Gnats are drawn to the color yellow and can be trapped on special yellow cards covered with a sticky adhesive. ...
  2. Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth. ...
  3. Drench the Soil. ...
  4. Let Plants Dry Out Slightly. ...
  5. Repot.

Can you use regular Epsom salt on plants?

Known as a garden helper, Epsom salt is a natural and effective way to provide essential minerals to plants.

How do I get rid of bugs when bringing my plants indoors?

For a thorough cleanse, fill a large tub with water and submerge the plant's pot for several hours. Any insects or pests will float to the top or be eliminated. Make sure the soil drains fully before bringing the plant inside.

Why does my indoor plant look like it's being eaten?

Scale insects are common houseplant pests that can often just look like small bumps on a stem or the undersides of leaves. These pests grow beneath a waxy “shell,” feed on sap, and secrete a sticky residue on which sooty mold can grow. Females can lay between 50 to 2,000 eggs under their “shell”! Not good.

How to get rid of bugs on indoor plants with hydrogen peroxide?

To use hydrogen peroxide on your plants, combine three parts water with one part 3% hydrogen peroxide. Not only will the disinfectant properties of the hydrogen peroxide kill any bugs and their larvae, but also add oxygen to the soil to promote healthy root growth.

Can you spray vinegar on plants to keep bugs away?

No, vinegar doesn't kill insects but repels them. For an effective mixture, make a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. It should keep regular insects such as flies, mealybugs, centipedes and millipedes away from your plants. Do not spray directly on plants.

What is a substitute for neem oil for plants?

Rosemary Oil is a Highly Effective Alternative to Neem Oil Spray with a Pleasant Smell.

How to treat holes in leaves in indoor plants?

Remove the plant, wash it thoroughly, and employ measures like spraying with water or applying insecticidal soaps. Make sure to leave the plant away from any natural or grow lights. Insecticidal soaps can cause leaf burn, on occasion.

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