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How Does Bug Spray Work – Surprisingly Easy Yet Effective!

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What are the benefits of insect repellents and insecticides? How does bug spray work and is it safe to use?

Bugs, which is a general term that refer to different types of insects, are a nuisance to gardeners. They are what we call as pests that destroy the health and jeopardize the growth of plants.

It’s vital to prevent their infestation, or else the hard work and money invested in the garden become useless in just a few bites. And the best solution to this is the application of bug spray, considered as pesticides.

How does bug spray work exactly? First and foremost, bug sprays have two categories, which are repellents and insecticides. Whether you prefer insecticides or repellents, both are a type of bug spray that’s designed to specifically ward off insects.

These are normally used at homes and in gardens. Although the main objective is to eradicate bugs or insects, repellents and insecticides have differences.

How Does Bug Spray Work

1. Insect Repellents

As far as repellent is concerned, how does bug spray work? It doesn’t directly kill insects but rather fend them off from making a contact on skin. In a simpler word, this kind of pesticide is worn on skin or clothes, which makes the bugs less interested in reaching out near you.

But we’re actually talking about bug spray for garden use, right? Well, there are repellents that you can spray on plants and work the same way like on skin by eliminating the infestation of insects.

how does bug spray kill spiders

Insect repellents are either synthetic or natural. They do not only repel bugs, but also highly prevent the development of infectious diseases on humans and animals. But some brands can do more harm than good to the health.

There are bug sprays that are made of GMO, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide which is most commonly known as DEET and other hazardous chemicals. These should be absolutely banned to use because although they effectively eliminate insects they can cause physical conditions in the long run.

Repellents that contain deet protect plants much longer, which is why some gardeners are still dependent on this type of bug spray. It can ward off insects for 5 hours.

Those naturally mixed solutions work in a shorter period of time. But remember that it’s not only for plant protection that you have to consider but also health concerns.

Thus, it’s best to choose an insect repellent, regardless of how does bug spray work on plants, that is one of the stuff approved and registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA.

2. Insecticides

For insecticides, how does bug spray work and is it safer than repellent as far as health is concerned? This other type of pesticide effectively works in preventing bugs on plants by directly killing them on the spot.

It also helps disrupt their ability to produce eggs. In a more sense, it seems more beneficial to use because they help eradicate a huge number of bugs in the garden.

How does bug spray work so fast

How does bug spray work with phrethroid? Pyrethroids, which include cypermethrin, permethrin and prallethrin, are a common chemical ingredient in insecticides that act similarly as the natural oils in chrysanthemum, which also naturally wards off bugs.

This chemical instantly kills insects by affecting the peripheral and central nervous systems that result to paralysis, tremors and eventually death in seconds. Based on this scientific explanation, it is a very effective tool to use for gardeners.

However, one of the downsides of using this is that they can also eradicate bees and other pollinators. If in case this is the best choice for you, make sure to spray only on a very early morning, late afternoon or evening as these are the times where bees are not present.

Organic Bug Spray

So the next question to answer apart from how does bug spray work and how safe it is to use is if there are natural DIY solutions you can use?

Of course, there are organic recipes that are a great alternative. This is most recommended because they effectively eliminate bugs while keep humans and animals safe from side effects due to absence of chemicals and other harmful ingredients.

How long does bug killer spray take to work

1. Garlic Oil Spray

  • 3 to 4 cloves of garlic – minced
  • 2 teaspoons of oil
  • ​1 teaspoon of dish soap or liquid
  • 1 pint water

Simply mix garlic and oil, and let it sit overnight or 6 to 8 hours. Strain the garlic and throw away. Pour the oil to the water and add dish soap. Refill an empty spray bottle with this solution and shake once before using to your plants.

2. Hot Pepper Spray

  • 2 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
  • Drops of dish soap or liquid
  • 1 quart water

Mix the hot pepper and dish soap in water. Let it sit for hours or overnight. Pour the solution in a bottle spray and use whenever needed.


Conclusion

We can conclude how does bug spray work on plants is very effective. But let’s not also forget that the ingredients should be considered always since we should not only focus on the elimination of insects but also protect our health.

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1. Sweetly Citron Natural Bug Repellent DEET-Free

2. REPEL Lemon-Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent

3. Greenerways Organic Insect Repellent (Non-GMO, DEET-Free)