Are you a proud gardener in line for first prize at the neighbourhood flower show? Have you made it a goal to put homegrown veg on the dinner table? Either way, plant protection is a must here in the UK. One of the leading causes of plant degradation is insects sticking their noses where they aren't welcome, but with a good insecticide, it's easy to put a stop to this.
Whether you're looking for the best insecticide for vegetable gardens, strawberries, roses or lawns, we've reviewed a range of options to wage war on every pesky pest from scale insects and spiders to aphids and mealybugs. Our list is stacked with top-shelf products from brands like Provanto, Nuedorff and Resolva, including both chemical bug sprays and natural, organic formulas that are guaranteed to be safe.
Stamping out an infestation with an assured authority requires the right insecticide for the job. This buying guide is here to help you find just that, ensuring you can kick back and relax in your glorious garden without worry.
Insecticides are a type of pesticide designed to combat insects specifically. However, with the scope of unwanted garden insects almost as vast as the plant types that they like to eat, you might want to consider a product aimed at eradicating a certain species.
Speciality insecticides to look out for are slug and snail, ant, caterpillar, moth and the disastrous sap-sucking woolly aphids which attack and damage plants. By honing in on a particular species, you'll be able to target the specific challenges faced by them and remove them accordingly.
On the other hand, there are also many chemical pesticides designed to win the fight against all flying insects and creepy crawlies, including their larvae. These general-purpose insecticides are preferred by home gardeners who don't have a specific infestation but like running a tight ship where bugs are concerned.
The decision between ready-to-use and concentrate insecticides is an important one for a few reasons. Firstly, pre-mixed types normally come in spray bottles, meaning you won't have to acquire one at an additional cost. They're also typically sold in smaller quantities and are inexpensive, appealing to more casual growers.
Concentrates are preferred by committed gardeners who like to stock up on products and who know they will use them. Unlike ready-to-use sprays, they'll require you to buy a bottle and dilute them accordingly, though this does mean that you can purchase a reusable container of your choosing.
The best part about concentrates is that they're a lot more cost-efficient in the long run – and it is for this reason that you'll find a big bottle of concentrate stored away in the shed of any gardener who takes pride in their plot and is it in for the long haul.
How often an insecticide is designed to be used and the maximum applications per year both relate to the number of treatments, so it makes sense to think about both of these points together.
The first thing to note is that while garden plants can endure being doused in chemicals to a certain extent, that doesn't mean you can keep up an endless insect eradication regime with no repercussions. Most insecticide manufacturers, therefore, will recommend that you use their product only two, three or maybe four times a year.
Another point that ties in nicely here is how long the interval between those treatments is. Due to the same reason of plants preferring a chemical-free existence, most brands will include a recommended time frame that can either be specific to certain plant varieties or a more general rule of thumb for all.
This is for all the green thumbs who fancy growing their own and eating the rewards. Referring to the amount of time you can safely apply an insecticide to edible crops before harvesting them, this point's importance speaks for itself.
With each product containing different chemical compounds to keep unwanted insects at bay, the safe application time varies from product to product and sometimes plant to plant. Generally, however, you'll find seven, ten or 14-day pre-harvest times for the bulk of fruits and vegetables.
If you need quick insect removal or are concerned about the residual chemicals left behind after the allocated time, then perhaps a more natural solution is right for you. Natural insecticides allow you to safely munch on your produce straight after application if you wish, giving you confidence in your family's safety come dinner time.
Technically, natural and organic insecticides aren't classed as insecticides per se. Instead, they take on names like repellents, cleansers and other less harsh-sounding terms. These all-natural deterrents are popular for their pet and family-friendly formulas that give you peace of mind when the kids and pooch are playing outside.
Another benefit is that, unlike insecticides, these chemical-free sprays won't accidentally kill off any beneficial bugs that promote a healthier garden and environment. It's true that home gardens are functioning ecosystems with insects like wasps and beetles working in unison to keep plant life healthy and happy.
So next time you need to take back control of your garden from an insect problem, why not see if the natural way works first? Not only will it be better for you, but it could also be very beneficial for the garden that you're trying to protect in the first place.
With every green thumb needing to get a handle on insects in one form or another, insecticides are an essential part of creating a lush outdoor environment. This list of recommendations is designed to give you a leg up in maintaining a healthy garden by being one step ahead of the insect pack.
£16.25
Intended For | Woolly aphids |
---|---|
Type/Volume | Concentrate - 1 L |
Max Yearly Treatments | Unlimited |
Treatment Interval | Unlimited |
Safe Pre-Harvest Time | - |
Natural/Organic | Yes |
£6.10
Intended For | All insects |
---|---|
Type/Volume | Ready to use - 1 L |
Max Yearly Treatments | 5 |
Treatment Interval | 7 - 14 days |
Safe Pre-Harvest Time | - |
Natural/Organic | No |
£13.99
Intended For | Box caterpillars, aphids, moths |
---|---|
Type/Volume | Ready to use - 500 ml |
Max Yearly Treatments | Unlimited |
Treatment Interval | 3 days |
Safe Pre-Harvest Time | Immediate |
Natural/Organic | Natural |
£9.99
Intended For | Slugs and snails |
---|---|
Type/Volume | Pellets - 350 g |
Max Yearly Treatments | Unlimited |
Treatment Interval | Unlimited |
Safe Pre-Harvest Time | Immediate |
Natural/Organic | Natural |
£12.49
Intended For | All insects |
---|---|
Type/Volume | Ready to use - 500 ml |
Max Yearly Treatments | Unlimited |
Treatment Interval | Unlimited |
Safe Pre-Harvest Time | Immediate |
Natural/Organic | Yes |
£15.86
Intended For | Aphids, caterpillars, beetles |
---|---|
Type/Volume | Concentrate - 250 ml |
Max Yearly Treatments | 2 |
Treatment Interval | 10 days |
Safe Pre-Harvest Time | 7 days |
Natural/Organic | No |
£6.00
Intended For | All insects |
---|---|
Type/Volume | Ready to use - 1 L |
Max Yearly Treatments | 2 |
Treatment Interval | 1 - 3 weeks depending on crop |
Safe Pre-Harvest Time | 3 - 28 days depending on crop |
Natural/Organic | No |
£8.50
Intended For | All insects |
---|---|
Type/Volume | Concentrate - 200 ml |
Max Yearly Treatments | 1 - 4 depending on crop |
Treatment Interval | 10 - 21 days depending on crop |
Safe Pre-Harvest Time | 14 days |
Natural/Organic | No |
£13.73
Intended For | All insects and their larvae |
---|---|
Type/Volume | Concentrate - 250 ml |
Max Yearly Treatments | Unlimited |
Treatment Interval | Unlimited |
Safe Pre-Harvest Time | Same day |
Natural/Organic | Yes |
£6.81
Intended For | All insects |
---|---|
Type/Volume | Ready to use - 1 L |
Max Yearly Treatments | 1 - 5 depending on crop |
Treatment Interval | 1 - 2 weeks depending on crop |
Safe Pre-Harvest Time | 3 - 7 days depending on crop |
Natural/Organic | No |
Image | 1 ![]() Provanto | 2 ![]() Neudorff | 3 ![]() Scotts Miracle-Gro | 4 ![]() Resolva | 5 ![]() Vitax | 6 ![]() C&G Home and Garden | 7 ![]() Bayer Garden | 8 ![]() Garten Glück | 9 ![]() Toprose | 10 ![]() E-Coco |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Ultimate Bug Killer | Pyrol Bug and Larvae Killer | Bug Clear Ultra | Bug Killer | Py Bug Killer Concentrate | Organic Insect & Spider Spray | Natria Slug & Snail Control | Box Tree Caterpillar Spray | Bug Killer | Organic Woolly Aphid Killer |
Features | Keep Any and Every Unwanted Bug at Bay | See the Back of Bugs and Larvae the Natural Way | Lasting Effectiveness for up to 3 Months | Potent Bug Killer to Spray Insects Away | A Strong Concentrate for Roses and Veg Patches | Eco-Friendly Organic Blend to End Insects | Biodegradable, Soil-Enriching Slug and Snail Pellets | Natural Neem Oil to Curb Box Caterpillars | Protect Your Precious Roses From Greenfly | Tackle Your Woolly Aphid Infestation Organically |
Price | £6.81 | £13.73 | £8.50 | £6.00 | £15.86 | £12.49 | £9.99 | £13.99 | £6.10 | £16.25 |
Intended For | All insects | All insects and their larvae | All insects | All insects | Aphids, caterpillars, beetles | All insects | Slugs and snails | Box caterpillars, aphids, moths | All insects | Woolly aphids |
Type/Volume | Ready to use - 1 L | Concentrate - 250 ml | Concentrate - 200 ml | Ready to use - 1 L | Concentrate - 250 ml | Ready to use - 500 ml | Pellets - 350 g | Ready to use - 500 ml | Ready to use - 1 L | Concentrate - 1 L |
Max Yearly Treatments | 1 - 5 depending on crop | Unlimited | 1 - 4 depending on crop | 2 | 2 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5 | Unlimited |
Treatment Interval | 1 - 2 weeks depending on crop | Unlimited | 10 - 21 days depending on crop | 1 - 3 weeks depending on crop | 10 days | Unlimited | Unlimited | 3 days | 7 - 14 days | Unlimited |
Safe Pre-Harvest Time | 3 - 7 days depending on crop | Same day | 14 days | 3 - 28 days depending on crop | 7 days | Immediate | Immediate | Immediate | - | - |
Natural/Organic | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Natural | Natural | No | Yes |
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Maintaining your home garden or prized allotment is a more enjoyable endeavour with the right tools for the job. Whether you're looking for an upgrade on some tired tools or you're getting into gardening for the first time, the products below will have you feeling good when there's work to be done.
While it's true that gardens need certain insects to promote healthy growth, it's the peskier species like woolly aphids, caterpillars and weevils that can spoil a soon-to-be-harvested crop. So, here's hoping that you were able to find a suitable insecticide to stamp out your infestation once and for all.
Author: Connor Macanally
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