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.
Quick List - Top Insecticides for the Garden
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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.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Provanto Ultimate Bug Killer | ![]() | Keep Any and Every Unwanted Bug at Bay | |
2 | Neudorff Pyrol Bug and Larvae Killer | ![]() | See the Back of Bugs and Larvae the Natural Way | |
3 | Scotts Miracle-Gro Bug Clear Ultra | ![]() | Lasting Effectiveness for up to 3 Months | |
4 | Resolva Bug Killer | ![]() | Potent Bug Killer to Spray Insects Away | |
5 | Vitax Py Bug Killer Concentrate | ![]() | A Strong Concentrate for Roses and Veg Patches | |
6 | C&G Home and Garden Organic Insect & Spider Spray | ![]() | Eco-Friendly Organic Blend to End Insects | |
7 | Bayer Garden Natria Slug & Snail Control | ![]() | Biodegradable, Soil-Enriching Slug and Snail Pellets | |
8 | Garten Glück Box Tree Caterpillar Spray | ![]() | Natural Neem Oil to Curb Box Caterpillars | |
9 | Toprose Bug Killer | ![]() | Protect Your Precious Roses From Greenfly |
Provanto's Ultimate Bug Killer is the undisputed favourite insecticide of the nation for professional and amateur gardeners alike. It's fast-acting, comes ready to spray and is proven to give your plants up to two weeks of protection.
As well as putting an end to persistent garden pests, it also prevents any consequential leaf diseases and works to prevent further attack. With thousands of happy reviewers on Amazon, this is a globally recognised way of taking back control of your garden and its flourishing inhabitants for good.
Unlike other organic insecticides with mixed results, there is simply no denying the effectiveness of this bug and larvae killer. It is the go-to for every gardener who enjoys keeping things natural but doesn't fancy the uncertainty surrounding most non-chemical insecticides.
This is a strong concentrate that is loaded up with pyrethrum to ensure the effective eradication of most common insect pests. It's so safe that you can even use it on harvest day, giving you plenty of garden-to-table confidence in your crop.
Claiming to end the lives of all major UK insect pests – including whitefly, greenfly, blackfly, aphids, scale insects, mealybugs and red spider mites – it's clear that Miracle-Gro's Bug Clear Ultra means business.
This highly concentrated 200 ml formula will make 20 litres of spray once diluted to give you plenty of bug-killing action, and if treating houseplants or ornamentals, you'll only need to apply every 3 months. With an extended pre-harvest time of 14 days too, this is as potent as they come and is sure to leave you with fantastic results.
Resolva's Bug Killer is another powerful insecticide that's primed to remove all flying and crawling insects from your prized plants. Coming in a ready-to-use spray bottle allows you to place an order today knowing that you'll be effectively spraying away your pest problem tomorrow.
The safe pre-harvest time and treatment interval of the spray differs quite dramatically depending on the crop you use it on, so be sure to read the label carefully before use. Nonetheless, this is a potent spray with proven results for those that need them now.
This is a high-powered bug-killing concentrate that should not be taken lightly. It's so strong, in fact, that it only needs to be used twice a year regardless of the plant variety. It should also be applied seven days prior to harvest time to ensure safe eating for all.
Vitax is intended to eradicate any and all aphids, caterpillars and beetles that have taken up residence on your rose bushes or vegetable patch, and it is certainly effective. Due to its potency, try to be mindful of pets and children getting too close to the plants after application.
This organic, cruelty-free and handmade insect and spider spray is a great one to have on hand for both indoor and outdoor use. The eco-friendly blend bodes well with keeping the natural order of your garden thriving while seeking to destroy its troublesome insects.
Plus, if you've got an ant or moth problem, be sure to click through as C&G have other special formulas available too. However, it must be known that organic products rarely benefit from the same total domination that chemical insecticides are known for, and in the case of this spray, a few reviewers were left dissatisfied with its results.
If you're constantly treading on snails and finding slugs finishing off your salad leaves for breakfast, then Natria's slug and snail control is for you. It effectively baits these pests away from plants and, once consumed, will force them underground. It'll then biodegrade into iron and phosphate, enriching the surrounding soil.
Yes, technically these pellets aren't insecticides. But, with slugs and snails being a persistent problem here in the UK, we're guessing that this is exactly what many of you are looking for. A clever, natural way of eliminating the snail trails across your prized plants.
German company Garten Glück are on a mission to make urban growing chemical-free. Their healthy fertiliser and growth booster range use natural oils and remedies for a lighter environmental impact.
This repellent uses neem oil to kill off those dreaded box tree caterpillars, moths and aphids while also bringing a healthier shine to your plant life. Just tread lightly where the dosage is concerned as some users have commented on the stuff being so powerful that it proceeded to wither the leaves they were trying to save.
However much you admire your front garden's flourishing rose bushes, you might have noticed that the local bugs like to eat them even more. Toprose's Bug Killer has been specially formulated to protect your precious petals from rose-loving insects like greenfly, blackfly, leaf beetles and caterpillars.
The only problem is that although this ready-mixed spray will curb any infestations on your roses and ornamentals, it doesn't come approved for use on edible plants. This product, therefore, will be a great pesticide for some gardeners but not for others.
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
No. 1: Provanto|Ultimate Bug Killer
No. 2: Neudorff|Pyrol Bug and Larvae Killer
No. 3: Scotts Miracle-Gro|Bug Clear Ultra
No. 4: Resolva|Bug Killer
No. 5: Vitax|Py Bug Killer Concentrate
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