Some common “home remedies” may seem harmless, but can cause unintended consequences:

Dish Soap Sprays

While they may temporarily kill soft-bodied insects like aphids, dish soaps are too harsh for plants. They strip away protective coatings on leaves, leading to burns and long-term stress. They can also harm beneficial insects like lady beetles and lacewings.

Essential Oils

Peppermint, eucalyptus, and other oils may act as natural pest deterrents, but when misused, they can damage sensitive plants and drive away pollinators. They also break down quickly outdoors, making them unreliable.

Tobacco Spray

An old gardening trick that’s both toxic and risky. Nicotine harms beneficial species and poses health hazards to people and pets. It’s even banned in some places.

Coffee Grounds

Great for compost, but not a proven pest control method. Overuse can alter soil pH, which may hurt your plants more than help them.

Cayenne, Chili Powder, or Garlic Sprays

These sprays act more as natural pest deterrents than true solutions. They wash away easily, must be reapplied constantly, and can irritate your skin—or harm the very insects that help your garden thrive.

Aluminum Foil & Reflective Materials

While they may confuse pests, they can also disrupt soil temperature and moisture balance around delicate root zones.

Beer Traps for Slugs

Messy, smelly, and often counterproductive. Beer traps may attract more slugs than they kill.

Vinegar Sprays
Vinegar can kill weeds, but it also burns garden plants and kills beneficial insects indiscriminately.