There is nothing more irritating than having to deal with bugs attacking your vegetable garden, especially if you are a prominent gardener who likes to grow their own veggies on a frequent basis.
This is a prolific issue when it comes to gardening, often leading to many people giving up completely when the bug invasion becomes too much to handle.
If insects in your veggie garden are getting on your last nerve, then keep reading as in this article, we are going to be looking at the top ten insecticides that will help to keep those pesky insects away.
Dyna-Gro Pure Neem Oil Natural Leaf Polish
If you are looking for a multipurpose pest killer for your vegetable garden, then Dyna-Gro is an excellent choice, working on a range of bugs such as flies and mites.
The multipurpose nature of this choice comes from the fact that it is a three in one product, working as an insecticide as well as a miticide and a fungicide.
The Dyna-Gro Pure Neem Oil Natural Leaf Polish works best when it is used as a dormant spray, which refers to when it is applied before insects become most active in your vegetable garden (usually in the early spring).
Pros
- Incredibly effective as a dormant spray
- Affordable
- Three in one, multipurpose product
Cons
- Due to working best as a dormant spray, it isn’t effective once your plants have already been attached by insects.
- If applied at the wrong time, it could lose effectiveness.
Bonide Pyrethrin Garden Insect Spray Insecticide/ Pesticide Concentrate
If you are looking for a versatile insecticide that is able to protect your vegetables- with a specific focus on spinach, tomatoes, asparagus, broccoli, peppers and beans- but is also useful for certain kinds of flowers and trees, then Bonide Pyrethin is the choice for you.
As well as those aforementioned veggies, this spray is also suitable for use on shrubs, ornamental trees and flowers such as geraniums, azaleas roses, and begonias.
The use of Pyrethrins- a naturally occurring substance within chrysanthemum flowers- as one of the active ingredients in the spray allows it to be biodegradable, making for a more environmentally friendly insecticide.
You don’t have to worry about any residue with this spray easy as it leaves none behind, meaning that it can be used on your vegetables right up to the day of harvest.
Pros
- Biodegradable
- Leaves no objectionable residue
- Protects veggies as well as flowers, shrubs and ornamental trees.
- Effective and quick
Cons
- Strong, petroleum like smell which some might find unpleasant
BioAdvanced 3 In 1 Insect, Disease And Mite Control For Plants
BioAdvanced is a well known brand that prides itself on providing a product that not only kills insects- from aphids to Japanese beetles and beyond-, but also aids with disease control- such as protecting plants from powdery mildew and black spots- whilst also being able to be used on shrubs, flowers and trees.
The spray features systemic rainproof protection that can last up to thirty days as well, so if your vegetables are out in the open, you don’t have to worry about the insecticide becoming ineffective if the weather takes a turn.
BioAdvanced 3 in 1 is also EPA registered, meaning that it is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and abides by the Pesticide Regulation Process, which requires the product to be safe for the environment and for people as well as effective in its purpose.
Pros
- Three in one formula that protects vegetables, trees, shrubs and flowers.
- Rain protection
- Disease control
- Able to kill a wide range of different insects
Cons
- The bottle can be a bit difficult to use
Garden Safe Neem Oil Extract Concentrate Insect Pesticide For Organic Gardening
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Another three in one product, Garden Safe Neem Oil is a miticide and a fungicide as well as an insecticide.
Neem oil is a kind of vegetable oil that is pressed from the seeds and fruits of the neem tree, and it is an excellent choice of an organic insecticide that is non-toxic but can still control pests and reduce plant disease.
All you need to do is mix the neem oil extract with some water and then apply it to your vegetables.
You can use it as a dormant spray too in order to control any overwintering eggs of bugs such as white flies, bag worms, aphids, fruit flies and more.
Pros
- Three in one insecticide, fungicide and miticiede
- Organic and non-toxic thanks to the use of neem oil
- Abel to be used up to the day of vegetable harvest
Cons
- Not effective on certain bugs, such as ants
Spectracide Immunox 3-In-1 Insect And Disease Control Plus Fertilizer
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Another triple action choice, Spectracide Immunox not only controls pests, but it also aids with protection against disease and kills bugs on contact.
Not only that, but this spray is also one that provides nutrients for your plants and veggies too thanks to containing fertilizer.
This is also another choice of insecticide that won’t be immediately removed should you have to deal with rain or even the sprinklers. When it comes to protecting against diseases, this insecticide is able to last for up to two weeks.
Pros
- Three in one insecticide, disease protection and nutrient provider
- Able to protect house plants, roses and flowers as well as veggies
- Cures and prevents blight, rust, black sport and mildew
- Rose scented
- Kills insects on contact
Cons
- Works better with house plants and flowers rather than vegetables
Monterey Garden Insect Spray Insecticide And Pesticide With Spinosad Concentrate
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Monterey is a brand that is well known for their garden and lawn care products, having been around for twenty-five years and offering professional grade products.
Their Garden Insect spray is no exception, offering an organic and fast acting spray that is applicable to a range of plants.
One of the issues that can occur with insecticide is the odors that they produce, but this particular option does not have this issue thanks to being a bacterial product that is produced by fermentation, leading to no odors whatsoever.
This spray is also an organic choice thanks to the active ingredient being spinosad, which is a natural bacterium that is non-toxic.
Pros
- Reputable brand
- Organic thanks to containing spinosad
- Versatile enough for use on lawns and ornamental plants as well as vegetables
- Acts fast
- Odorless
Cons
- An expensive choice
Debug Organic Pest Control For Plants
This is a versatile choice of insecticide, working on a wide range of bugs such as spider mites, aphids, caterpillars, white flies and leaf miners to name a few.
Not only that, but it is also versatile in that it can be used on fruits as well as vegetables, ornamentals, flowers, shrubs, trees and house plants.
You get a lot of product with the Debug brand, with one bottle of the premium concentrate lasting a whole season, which is the equivalent of around twenty-two bottles of spray.
There are several active ingredients in this insecticide, all of which are organic, such as the aforementioned neem oil and naturally occurring triterpenoids.
The product is also EPA registered, USDA approved for organic gardening and OMRI listed.
For a natural alternative to more conventional pesticide sprays, the Debug brand is a fantastic choice.
Pros
- Organic
- Versatile for use with fruits and plants as well as vegetables.
- Protects fungal diseases and pests.
- Lasts for an entire season
Cons
- Expensive
Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap
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Another fantastic and non-toxic option when it comes to an insecticide, the Safer Brand insecticide is a little different to some of the others that we have talked about here as it is a special formulation of insecticidal soap.
This soap is made from natural plant extracts that can dehydrate and kill certain insects immediately when it comes into contact with them.
The soap mixture is specially formulated in order to create the ideal concentration to harm certain pests whilst allowing species that are beneficial to your vegetables and plants to thrive.
The Safer Brand of insecticide is OMRI listed as well, making it a product that is compliant for use in organic gardening.
Organic gardening not only saves money in the long run, but also reduces erosion and conserves water thanks to the increase of organic matter in your soil.
Pros
- Organic
- OMRI Listed
- Kills pests but allows beneficial species to thrive
- Includes seaweed extract, which encourages growth and improves overall plant health
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Doesn’t last as long as other kinds of insecticide
Natria Insecticidal Soap Organic Miticide
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This multipurpose insecticide not only works in minutes, but it also kills bugs such as mealybugs, white flies, mites and aphids on contact. You can also use it on various stages of pests, from adults to nymphs and larvae.
Natrial Insecticidal is another soap insecticide that is easy to use as well as fast acting. It is EPA registered and an organic insecticide that can be used up to and including the day of harvesting your vegetables.
As this is a soap based insecticide, it will degrade quickly within your soil, therefore posing very minimal risk when it comes to environment.
However, you do need to be careful to ensure that it does not accidentally find its ways into any kind of aquatic habitats.
Pros
- EPA Registered
- Organic and non-toxic formula
- Can be used on various stages of pests
- Effective on pests as well as black spot, rust and mildew.
Cons
- Strong smell
- Needs to be diluted before use
Trifecta Crop Control Maximum Strength Natural Pesticide
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Last but not least, this maximum strength crop control spray is ready to go straight out of the box, with no mixing required!
This spray is not only a protection spray but also a curative spray that is effective against bugs- such as broad mites and spider mites- and diseases, such as powdery mildew and gray mold to name a few.
Another versatile option, this spray is able to be used on most crops alongside vegetables, including fruits, roses, houseplants and more.
The spray is made with a blend of premium, food-grade ingredients and essential oils, such as peppermint oils, thyme, clove and garlic.
These ingredients are broken down into nano sized particles which allow for maximum coverage of your vegetables.
Pros
- Versatile
- Protects and cures
- Natural
- Safe for most crops
- Non-Toxic and biodegradable
- Mold, mildew and pest control
Cons
- Expensive
Buyers Guide
Types Of Insecticide
The main point to consider when buying insecticide is the type of pest control that you are planning to use, as using the wrong kind is a common mistake that the average gardener can make.
If you go into purchasing insecticide with little to no research, you can end up using the wrong kind of insecticide for your plants, your vegetables and your garden, which can do more harm than good.
It is imperative to ensure that you are using the right product. With this in mind, let’s have a look at the different types of insecticides are available and what they are best used for.
Insecticides
Standard insecticides are pesticides that have been designed specifically to kill small insects, such as ants, aphids etc.
Insecticides tend to be applied after the insects have begun to snack on your vegetables.
Botanical Insecticides
When we refer to botanical insecticides, we are referring to insecticides that feature organic applications, meaning that they are non-toxic to the environment, animals and humans.
Organic insecticides are the most commonly used kind of insecticide, particularly in our society when preventing environmental damage to the planet is a number one priority (as is preventing damage to humans and animals, of course!).
Herbicides
Herbicides are non-lethal to insects, as they instead kill weeds. It is common for beginner gardeners to accidentally confuse insecticides with herbicides, so make sure to remember the difference between them, as otherwise you could end up accidentally killing your plants or veggies whilst the pesky bugs live to tell the tale!
Neem Oil
Another non-toxic option, neem oil is- as previously mentioned- vegetable oil that is pressed from the fruits and the seed of the neem tee, which is indigenous to the subcontinent of India but has been introduced across various areas of the tropics.
Neem oil is excellent for pest control in your vegetable garden for a variety of reasons, as it has a range of beneficial properties when it comes to dealing with pests.
These benefits include being able to disrupt a pests drive to feed, generally repelling the pests and affecting the hormone regulation of the pests, which can slow their drive to procreate whilst also impeding their growth.
Pesticides
Pesticides are chemicals that are designed specifically to kill, control and repel both diseases in plants- such as bacteria and fungus- as well as bugs.
Essential Plant Oils
Much like botanical/organic insecticides, insecticides that contain essential plant oils are also an organic and non-toxic choice.
However, it is important to remember that whilst essential plant oils can act as a good preventative measure against bugs, they aren’t typically known for killing pests once they have begun their attack on your veggies.
Some of the most popular and effective essential plant oils include citronella, cedar, eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary.
Pyrethrin
This kind of insecticide is also a non-toxic and organic one, as it is extracted from the chrysanthemum flower.
Pyrethrin might be non-toxic, but it is incredibly effective when it comes to killing certain bugs, including aphids, ants, caterpillars, cockroaches, flies, fleas, true bugs and wasps.
Spinosad
These kinds of insecticides are natural mixtures that are only toxic to bugs, and they are incredibly effective when it comes to getting rid of them.
Spinosad insecticide comes in spray applications- like many of the other insecticides we have discussed- but they can also come in dust forms and granular forms.
The kinds of bugs that spinosad is most effective against includes fruit flies, spider mites, thrips, ants and mosquitoes.
This is also an excellent type of insecticide if you need to see quick results, as you will usually witness these results between one and two days.
Now that you have a thorough understanding of the different kinds of insecticides that are available, you should be able to choose the one that is best suited for you and your vegetable garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Safe Is Insecticide?
The natural and organic insecticides are the safest kinds of insecticides, though there are some toxic insecticides that need some precautions to be put in place before you use them just to be sure that you, your environment and any pets, children or other people in the vicinity are safe.
Some of these precautions including ensuring that the insecticide is applied in a well ventilated area and removing any sensitive items from the area.
Are Insecticides Completely Safe When Dry?
Most insecticides are safe when they have dried, though a great deal of insecticides are safe to begin with due to their natural and non-toxic nature.
Insecticides that do still have some toxic factors will normally become safe after a certain amount of time has passed and once the spray has become dry.
Final Thoughts
So there you have the top ten best insecticides for use in your vegetable garden!
If you are struggling with annoying bugs and pests chewing on your vegetables, then hopefully you will be able to save them from destruction with the help of some of these insecticides.