Updated date: How to Make and Use Garlic Water Pesticide for Plants

I've successfully used garlic water to remove spider mites, aphids, powdery mildew, and even fungus gnats from my own gardens.

Nature's Gift

Without the use of chemical pesticides, organic gardeners look solely to nature for ways to stop and prevent pest infestations. Luckily, nature is always willing to comply and gives garlic as a cure. It may come as a surprise, but yes, this small ground-dwelling bulb has a wide array of uses in the garden. The active sulfur compounds in garlic not only act as a powerful pesticide, they also eliminate fungus and deter grazing vermin. Best of all, you'll be able to free your plants of pests without leaving behind harmful chemicals or residues. Keep reading to learn how to make and use "garlic tea" to protect your plants.

Benefits of Garlic Water for Plants

A homemade garlic spray has many uses and can be applied to vegetable, fruit, ornamental, and indoor plants.

Natural Pesticide/Insecticide: When used as a foliage spray, garlic is effective against aphids, Colorado potato beetles, whiteflies, bean beetles, cabbage worms, spider mites, moths (including the diamondback moth), ants, and termites. If used as a soil treatment, garlic water is a recognized treatment for nematodes and fungus gnats.

When used as a foliage spray, garlic is effective against aphids, Colorado potato beetles, whiteflies, bean beetles, cabbage worms, spider mites, moths (including the diamondback moth), ants, and termites. If used as a soil treatment, garlic water is a recognized treatment for nematodes and fungus gnats. Natural Fungicide: The active sulfur compounds will terminate a variety of fungal and mildew infestations. It is a very effective treatment and preventative measure for powdery mildew.

The active sulfur compounds will terminate a variety of fungal and mildew infestations. It is a very effective treatment and preventative measure for powdery mildew. Natural Deterrent: When used in combination with chilis, garlic works well as a deterrent against mice, rats, rabbits, voles, elk, and deer.

Recipe for Garlic-Based Fungicide/Pesticide Spray

Makes: 1 gallon

Costs: $0.50—what a deal!

Ingredients:

1 small head of garlic—you can try substituting with garlic powder, but since it has been processed and dried, it may have lost a lot of potency. I've never tried it, but I feel that it won't be the same as fresh garlic.

2 cups of water

Instructions:

Process the head of garlic in a blender. Get the consistency as smooth as possible. Add two cups of water to the blender and pulse a couple of times. Pour the mixture into a glass container and let it sit in a covered, dark space for one day. When ready to apply, strain off all the solids and dilute with enough water to get a total of one gallon of solution. Store in the fridge when not in use.

To Apply:

Use a spray bottle to soak the tops and bottoms of each leaf in the infested area once every week until the problem ceases.

When using as a preventative measure, apply the garlic water only once every two weeks or after it rains.

Soak the infected soil thoroughly once a week to get rid of fungus gnats and nematodes.

Recipe for Garlic-Based Deterrent

Makes: 1 gallon

Cost: $1.00

Ingredients:

1 small head of garlic

1 jalapeno, or 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper

Instructions:

Process the head of garlic in a blender until you get a smooth consistency. Add the jalapeno or tablespoon of cayenne pepper and blend a bit more. Add two cups of water to the blender and pulse a couple of times. Pour the mixture into a glass container and let it sit in a covered, dark space for one day. When ready to apply, strain off all the solids and dilute with enough water to get a total of one gallon of solution. Store in the fridge when not in use.

To Apply:

Thoroughly apply the solution to plants targeted by mice, rats, rabbits, deer, and elk once every two weeks or after it rains.

For prevention against voles, pour a barrier of the solution around your garden plants. Make sure there are no gaps in your barrier. Re-apply to the soil once every two weeks.

Precautionary Advice

The key to using a garlic water solution for plants is to use it in moderation! While the solution effectively eliminates pesky garden infestations, it can also negatively affect beneficial soil microbes if used too often. Through my own experiences, I've found that it should not be applied more than twice a week as a foliage spray or once a week as a soil treatment.

Final Word

Garlic water is seriously an effective treatment! I've used garlic water on a variety of house, garden, and ornamental plants with no damage at all (other than what the insects had already done). Even the most tender of plants showed no ill effects. Garlic is not a strong chemical and should not interfere or stunt your plants' growth or vigor. Overall, you'll be doing yourself and your plants a lot of good by using a homemade, natural, and organic garlic pesticide.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2012 Zach

Aikon on March 04, 2020:

Amazing article! What would be the mixing ratio when it's to be used with a 16l knapsack sprayer?

Aikon Dasiz on March 04, 2020:

Amazing! Thanks immensely

Arnold on October 31, 2019:

What is the effect of garlic on cabbage

Abraham Chikah on July 19, 2019:

Thanks a lot. I actually going to give it a trial and see the end results for myself

James semuddu on May 08, 2019:

wow, I've been looking 4 cheapest pesticides 4 my melon and tomatoes, I'v got answer bt hw do I measure?

nbnath on March 09, 2019:

Mr. Salman share your development too. I have also experienced good results due to pungent smell the insects keep away.I have also experienced with tomatoes. Good to C likeminded people all across the world get united through this hobby.

Salman on January 03, 2019:

Dear, I am going to Plant ginger soon. As a precautionary measure, can I spread garlic powder on soil. I have already put cow dung, rice ash in soil. Your advice will help a lot to me. Thanks

Jill Spencer from United States on September 11, 2017:

How did I miss this article before? Love it! Am going to try it. Much cheaper than the stinky mix we've been purchasing to deter deer. Thank you!

Sherry faram on February 04, 2017:

I make garlic water to keep the possums out of my yard. It works a treat. Touchwood my yard has been possum free for about 2mths now.

Snakesmum on July 22, 2016:

Have been using garlic spray for years, and have found it very good, especially against aphids.

Zach (author) from Colorado on June 09, 2015:

Geri - Since garlic powder has been processed and dried, it will have lost a lot of its potency. I've never tried it, but I feel that it won't be the same as fresh garlic.

Geri on June 09, 2015:

Will garlic powder work as well as a clove of garlic?

Jennifer Attwell on October 13, 2014:

Will definitely be trying this

iguidenetwork from Austin, TX on June 26, 2013:

I've bookmarked this hub. I've been wondering how to make a pesticide which is also safe for my tomato plants. Thanks for the hub and for your added information you posted on the comments. Up and useful.

Kaili Bisson from Canada on April 30, 2013:

Fantastic tip...thank you! I wonder if it works on slugs?

Zach (author) from Colorado on April 30, 2013:

Jennsinkona - Store it in the fridge.

Kevin Peter from Global Citizen on April 30, 2013:

The natural pesticide explained in the hub sounds great. never thought of garlic to be so useful. Thanks for your hub and the useful information.

Jennsinkona on April 29, 2013:

Aloha! Just made my first batch and I was wondering where would be best to store the gallon?

Linda Bryen from United Kingdom on April 29, 2013:

I've heard of washing up liquid is useful for watering plants to kill insects but I haven't heard of this one so I will give it a try. Thank you Joe Macho for sharing a fantastic hub.

idigwebsites from United States on April 03, 2013:

Wow, that's an organic and natural pesticide indeed! I don't like to use chemicals too for my plants, and I'm quite excited to try this one -- and it's totally easy to make. thank you! :)

Smith Rex on March 11, 2013:

Amazing!! i am certainly going to try it and will save money too. I hope it is slug deterrent as well.

Thelma Alberts from Germany and Philippines on February 13, 2013:

Great article. I´ll be making it tomorrow. I´ve heard a lot about the benefits of using garlic in the garden. Thanks for this very easy recipe. Have a nice day!

Gina145 from South Africa on January 20, 2013:

I don't like to use chemicals, so this sounds worth a try.

I've been using fish emulsion to feed my plants and it attracts flies something awful. I wonder whether adding a bit of garlic water would help keep them away.

Connie Smith from Southern Tier New York State on August 08, 2012:

Thank you Joe, I will give garlic water a try. It's good to know it won't alter the flavor of any veggie. I have tons of garlic this year, so this will be a very good use for the extras! Thanks.

Zach (author) from Colorado on August 07, 2012:

grandmapearl - Thanks for stopping by! Choosing a natural means of pest deterrent really depends on what type of pests you're dealing with. Though garlic works to stop a wide range of pests, it might not cover the particular pests you're dealing with on your melons and cucumbers. The good news is that it never hurts to try. Garlic won't alter the flavor of either melons, cucumbers or any veggie for that matter.

Connie Smith from Southern Tier New York State on August 07, 2012:

Very good information that I am going to use. Do you have any advice for pests on melons and cucumbers? Would garlic water work without flavoring the melons and cukes? I'd very much appreciate your help on this. Thanks! Voted Up, Useful, Shared and Pinned.

Patsy Bell Hobson from zone 6a, SEMO on July 12, 2012:

Voted up and tweeted. I will try your garlic water and pepper in a couple of days when the pepper is ready to pick.

mcstagra on June 17, 2012:

besides being economical its non toxic to human, definitely i'll try this in my garden. thanks a lot

Gillian Namele from Complicated on April 15, 2012:

For sure garlic is a real winner in many areas. While I have followed the medicinal benefits of garlic for all these years, I have never used it in the garden before. This information has come in handy for my battle with aphids.

Zach (author) from Colorado on March 08, 2012:

sloopyjo - Let me be the first to admit that I am greatly unfamiliar with Awabuki plants. On the upside, I've used garlic water on a variety of house, garden and ornamental plants with no damage at all (other than what the insects had already done). Even the most tender of plants showed no ill effects. Garlic is not a strong chemical and should not interfere or stunt your plants' growth or vigor. Applying an application of garlic water will most likely be very appreciated by your Awabuki plants! Good luck to you, aphids can be quite the pain.

sloopyjo on March 07, 2012:

We are using ladybugs to wage war with our aphids, but it's a long drawn out battle. If I give the awabuki plants (in central FL) a mist with garlic water, will I lose my ladies?

Zach (author) from Colorado on February 04, 2012:

TMHughes - Hey, thanks for the comment. Garlic is good stuff. I'll be sure to check out your hub.

TMHughes from Asheville, NC on February 04, 2012:

Great article, I'm going to use these techniques. Check out my hub on growing garlic.

https://hubpages.com/food/Garlic-is-delicious-and-...

Zach (author) from Colorado on January 23, 2012:

Simone Smith - I'm glad that you've at least heard of garlic in the garden before! Always appreciate your feedback.

Simone Haruko Smith from San Francisco on January 18, 2012:

Only recently have I learned that garlic had such usefulness in the gardening realm! This is so cool. Thanks for the guide!