Insecticides are products that can save a plant that has a pest, but they may also not be useful at all. It is important to keep in mind that there are a wide variety of insects that attack crops, and insecticides are often only useful against a few.
In addition, we cannot forget about the safety measures that you must take, especially if we buy a chemical insecticide for plants, such as wearing rubber gloves and not applying them if it is windy. For all this, We will explain how to choose one.
Top 1. The best insecticide for plants
Pros
- Effective against a wide variety of pests: aphids, ants, mealybugs, red spider mite, thrips, whitefly.
- It is natural and environmentally friendly.
- Leaves no residue.
- It is not toxic.
- It also serves as a fertilizer as it contains the three macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), as well as other equally important ones such as calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc.
Cons
- Although it is not toxic, it is a dehydrating product. That is why if it is kept on the skin for a while we can feel itching and irritation. But these symptoms disappear as soon as we wash with soap and water.
- The price may seem high, but if you have few plants or they are small, it is worth it, since you only have to sprinkle them a little on top (as if you were adding salt to a salad).
In this video you have more information:
Selection of insecticides for plants
Do you have a plant with a pest and want to eliminate it as soon as possible? Here is a selection of insecticides:
Protect Garden – Multipurpose insecticide for garden, aphids and caterpillars, 750ml
It is a chemical insecticide that acts by contact and ingestion, very effective against aphids and caterpillars. It also serves as protection, since it prevents them from attacking them again for a while. Its use is very simple: you only have to spray the affected parts.
COMPO Fazilo Total Action Insecticide, 750ml
This is a chemical insecticide and acaricide that can be used to combat mealybugs, whiteflies, aphids, and mites such as red spiders. In addition, it is already ready for use: you only have to spray the leaves of the plants, on both sides, and also the flowers if they have pests.
GreenFaculty – Killer – Insecticide, Fungicide and Acaricide. Ecological pest control, 750ml
Do you want a natural insecticide for plants that is also effective against insects, mites and fungi? Then we recommend this one from GreenFaculty. You can use it against spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, whiteflies and thrips, as well as mildew and powdery mildew. Spray directly on the plant for it to take effect. You can apply it on all your crops, including edible ones.
Batlle Triple action (Insecticide, acaricide and fungicide), 750ml
When it is not clear what is happening to the plant, it is a good idea to apply a triple action, that is, a product that combats the most common pests and pathogenic fungi, such as mildew or rust. This is chemical, and is ready to use: you simply have to spray leaves and stems, as well as the substrate until it is very moist in case it has fungi.
CLOSTER Neem Oil Spray – Natural Insecticide for Plants, 500ml
Another of the most used ecological insecticides is neem oil. It is used to combat aphids, mealybugs, mites such as red spiders, and bedbugs. It is even useful for repelling mosquitoes. The best thing is that it is natural, leaves no residue and protects plants. Its use is so simple that you only have to spray those that you have with pests.
EMAGEREN 40 Double Sided Adhesive Insect Traps, yellow and blue
Although these traps cannot be considered insecticides, we wanted to include them because they are so effective that they can help us reduce the use of chemical pesticides. The yellow ones are ideal for controlling aphids, whiteflies, moths; and the blue ones for thrips. There are two sizes: 20 x 15 centimeters and 25 x 15 centimeters, but you can still cut them if they are large. Put them in the seedbeds, hanging from the branches or trellises. The insect will be attracted to them and, once it touches it, it will no longer be able to detach itself.
Buying guide for an insecticide for plants
How is an insecticide chosen? It is not always easy, but we hope that these tips will help you in your choice:
Chemical or ecological?
Although it is always preferable to opt for ecological insecticides, we cannot forget that their effectiveness when the plague is already very advanced is often not what is desired. I have been growing plants since 2006, and until now the only organic product that has really served me as a cure is diatomaceous earth, which eliminates even fleas. Therefore, when the plant is very bad, it is almost better to clean it with water -without lime- to remove the pest, and treat it with chemical insecticide.
Spray, or to dilute?
In the selection we have focused on spray insecticides, because they are the ones that have a simpler mode of application by simply having to spray the plants. But there are some that have to be diluted first in water. This does not mean that some are better than others, but If we do not have much experience yet, we recommend choosing spray insecticides, ready for use.
Triple action, double action or only insecticide?
Un triple action It is a product that is used to combat insects, mites and fungi, so it is very useful when a plant has, for example, aphids, red spider mite and the black fungus; the double action it can be an insecticide and acaricide, that is, it can be used to combat insects and mites such as the red spider, or an insecticide and fungicide (insects and fungi); and the insecticides They are those that only serve to eliminate insects. Depending on what problem or problems our crops have, we can use one or the other.
How to use an insecticide on plants?
The first thing to do is read the container label. Forever. Although it is an ecological insecticide, it is important to know what pests it is effective against and how to use it, if not, problems could arise or it may not help us to solve the problem of our plant.
Then we should put on rubber gloves, especially if we are going to apply chemical insecticides, since if it comes into contact with the skin we could feel itching or irritation at least. Y only then can we apply the product.
It must be done as indicated on the label, avoiding its application on days when there is wind. What's more, if the plant to be treated is outdoors, it must be applied in the late afternoon, when the Sun no longer gives it, otherwise it would suffer burns.
How to make a homemade insecticide for plants?
You can make homemade insecticides with many things you have around the house. For example:
- Water and neutral soap: in a liter of water you have to add a small tablespoon (of coffee) of neutral soap, and then mix well. Afterwards, use this mixture to clean the affected plant.
- Garlic: Take a head of garlic and chop it well, carefully. Then, put the pieces in a liter of alcohol and put them in the fridge for 1 hour. Then you just have to add 2 liters of water, stir and finally filter. With the resulting mixture you can fight aphids, mealybugs and whitefly.
- Lemon: If you have a plant with a trunk that has a lot of ants, it is a good idea to cut a lemon in half and rub it against the trunk.
Where to buy?
Nowadays you can buy insecticides for plants in different places, such as:
Amazon
If you need an insecticide and you want to have it delivered to your home, it is very interesting to make the purchase on Amazon, since before paying you can read the opinions of other buyers. Then, in a matter of a short time (usually 24-48 hours) you receive the product you have ordered.
Mercadona
In Mercadona they almost always have some insecticide for sale at interesting prices, but they are usually chemical. Likewise, if you have a pest in a plant and need to treat it as soon as possible, it may be a good option to buy here.
Leroy Merlin
In the Leroy Merlin it is possible to find some insecticides for plants. But they have little variety, so we only recommend buying them here if you have gone to the store to buy something else.
Lidl
In Lidl it happens like with Mercadona and other supermarkets: they have insecticides, few but they do, and they are usually chemical. Before buying them you have to read the label to know what pests it fights and how they are used.
Plant nurseries
Although it is obvious, in plant nurseries they sell insecticides. Many sell online, so without a doubt they are an excellent place to buy these products, since In addition, in case of doubt, they can answer you professionally..