We also spoke to organic product specialist Stephanie Boone, founder and CEO of BOON Technologies, a biopesticide research and development company focused on licensing technology to commercial and consumer markets. She reminds us that the “benefit of using plant based products is ensuring safety for pets, family, and the environment.” To help navigate the lofty world of insecticides, we rounded up the best available options on the market, both synthetic and organic, to suit just about every area of your landscape. Our top pick in this category is Bionide’s Captain Jack’s DeadBug Brew, which contains the well-researched ingredient spinosad, a natural substance that is low in toxicity for people and mammals (like cats and dogs). We are big fans of Bionide’s natural pest control line. The manufacturer claims it can kill a wide variety of pests, such as borers, beetles, caterpillars, leaf miners, and many, many more. You can apply DeadBug Brew to about any plant in the landscape, because its main ingredient is spinosad, a natural substance that harmful to insects but not to plants or mammals. The spray format is easy to use and can be used on vegetables and fruit you plan on consuming. I personally use it to control leaf miners and thrip on squash, tomatoes, and okra. It can also be used for bagworms, mealybugs, and every gardener’s favorite, aphids. If you want to ensure you are protecting beneficial insects like pollinators, apply with caution as it is a broad-spectrum insecticide. Price at time of publish: $13 The three-in-one product name refers to a few extra chemicals that fight fungi and even arachnids such as mites, which traditional insecticides do not cover, and common pathogens such as rose black spot, anthracnose, and powdery mildew. Rainproof in minutes, you need fewer applications. Imidacloprid is not to be used where pets frequent your yard. Also, since this is a broad-spectrum insecticide, it can harm all insects, including butterflies and bees. If you want to preserve pollinators and beneficial bad bug predators, be sure to spray targeted plants with care. Price at time of publish: $8 On the inside, use the handy wand applicator to apply a 4-inch barrier underneath cabinets, along baseboards, and behind appliances. Once in place, control lasts up to twelve months. We noted the wand as a highlight. It was easy to angle and apply the product, feeling like a wizard while helping to rid the home of cockroaches and ants. Price at time of publish: $18 This pesticide works well on insects, but it also moonlights as an excellent fungicide. I use Natira Neem oil to treat outbreaks of rust fungi on my edible figs and blooming plumerias each year. If you want to treat a fungal outbreak, the same rules of application apply, making sure you cover the fungi entirely. It is not a silver bullet, but it does offer multi-purpose protection for both indoor and outdoor plants. Price at time of publish: $13 If mosquitoes are keeping you indoors, this product also keeps those at bay. You should apply several times on a schedule to ensure summer-long control. No need to wait to get back outdoors, as this product can be used while pets and people are in the yard. Price at time of publish: $75 These granules are not meant to be used on edibles and cannot be applied in vegetable gardens or around fruit trees. The granules last up to eight weeks (about two months), and we recommend that you apply them multiple times throughout the growing season. Price at time of publish: $27 Typically applied as a barrier spray around homes, this can also be used directly on plants such as ornamental shrubs and trees. It should not be used on edibles, and pets and children should be kept out of the area until it is dry. Since you are buying the professionals’ choice, Talstar is currently only available in bulk quantities. Price at time of publish: $55 While hard for the eye to detect, the diatoms have sharp edges that prevent insects from being able to walk over them, stopping them in their tracks. When applied around the perimeter of a home or the garden, it offers control from ground dwelling insects like beetles and roaches. Diatomaceous earth is one of the few products out there that may be effective against snails. Since snails are mollusks, insecticides are not designed for their control, and there are few safe options on the market.We note that if you reside in one of the wetter states, diatomaceous earth turns to sludge when moistened. It is best to apply on days where rain is not in the forecast. Price at time of publish: $25 Sprays have the benefit of being ready to use and require no extra mixing. As a result, their price point is a little bit higher and you receive less at the time of purchase. For small plants or indoor use, this is ideal. Concentrates give you the most for your dollar, with you having to do the math and make the dilutions. If you have the equipment to spray, such as a pump or backpack sprayer, this can be a cost-effective method. Powders, such as diatomaceous earth, are applied during dry periods, usually around perimeters or around garden beds. Once wet, they lose some of their effectiveness. Granules are simple to apply, usually just shaken directly from the canister, and can be used both indoors and outdoors, depending on instructions. Sometimes these need to be watered in to ensure absorption by the plant roots.
Targeted Insects
Many common pests, such as aphids, are becoming more resistant to several insecticides that have been on the market for many years. Finding the best insecticide for your targeted pest requires some research. If you are dealing with multiple kinds of insect pests, employing one of these is most effective.
Coverage Area
Many insecticides are designed for specific locations throughout the yard and say on their packages whether they are intended for lawn or for flowerbed use. Sprays are best for small areas, where maybe a few plants are infested, whereas granules can easily be spread over larger areas.
Longevity
When dealing with insecticides, especially those carrying toxic chemicals, longevity is important. Many of the original insecticides that were commonly used are no longer available for sale, so perhaps even those that the EPA allows for home use today shouldn’t persist in the environment for long periods. It is also important to read labels carefully, as factors such as rain can influence how long insecticides work and last in your landscape.
Why Trust the Spruce?
This article was written by Amanda Rose Newton, a freelance writer and garden reviewer for The Spruce. As an entomologist, she delighted in personally testing out the products above in order to provide advice to those with different needs, yards, and values when it comes to pest control. To make this list, Amanda Rose tested each product over the course of three weeks, both around the home and in the garden. She also considered the difficulty in application, dilution, and tested longevity. As an avid home gardener, many of the recommended products are her own personal favorites. She also talked with Stephanie Boone, founder and CEO of BOON Technologies, a biopesticide research and development company focused on licensing technology to commercial and consumer markets.
