Best Insect Killer for Vegetable Garden 2022 – Reviews & Buying Guide

Insects are the worst enemies of your vegetable garden. When you notice that two or three are starting to eat your vegetables, you must act immediately. In just minutes, you’ll have an entire colony of insects devouring the whole thing.

If you’re an experienced gardener, you know very well that chemical insecticides, although effective, are too toxic. They are also so expensive, that just thinking about the price produces chills.

However, there are several alternatives in the market that offer excellent results at very low costs. In addition, its components don’t affect the health of humans and pets. Today you’ll know the 10 best insect killers that are killing it in 2022.

Top 10 Best Insect Killer for Vegetable Garden Reviews

Here are top 10 insect killer for vegetable garden reviews. If you read these reviews carefully, you can understand easily which one is your need.

1. Monterey LG6135 Garden Insect Spray with Spinosad Concentrate

For an organic fruit and vegetable garden, nothing better than an organic insect killer. Monterey LG6135 is the best insecticide for vegetable garden to keep insects away without polluting the environment.

Monterey LG6135 removes a large number of different insects, including caterpillars, moths, fruit flies and beetles. This product is made from a biodegradable substance known as Spinosad.

When the insect ingests Spinosad on the surface of the plants, it dies after 1-2 days. Monterey LG6135 is a selective insect killer, since it only kills insects that feed on plants.

To apply Monterey LG6135, you only need to dissolve 4 tablespoons in 1 gallon of water. To irrigate an area of ​​approximately 1000 square feet, you need 3 gallons of spray. You can use a hose-end, backpack, hand-held or trigger sprayer to apply.

2. Plantonix Organic Neem Bliss

Made from 100% cold-pressed pure neem oil, Plantonix Organic Neem Bliss eliminates insects and protects garden farms. An OMRI listed product for organic farming.

If you’re looking for a natural product, you’ll not find anything more natural than this. Composed of a single ingredient: pure neem oil. Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a tree native from India. The oil extracted from its bark works as a neurotoxin for insects.

In addition, it repels flying insects and prevents larval metamorphosis. Although it’s harmless to humans in small concentrations, it can cause side effects in children and pregnant women.

After applied the oil biodegrades and then absorbed by nature. Once absorbed, the oil acts as a fertilizer when mixed with organic soil residues.

3. Scotts Company 1600710 Bug B Gon Garden Insect Killer

Lethal only to insects, not to mammals. Bug B Gon Garden Insect Killer eliminates more than 100 types of insects common in gardens.

If the last time you applied insect killer, you accidentally killed your dog, this time there’s nothing to worry about. Bug B Gon Garden Insect Killer only eliminates insects that feed on your fruits and vegetables.

Once sprayed on the plants, it kills by ingestion or contact. In addition, its residual effect continues to kill months after the first application.

It’s a highly concentrated product and its killing effect is almost immediate. The fastest and safest way to get rid of pests.

4. Garden Safe HG-83179 Neem Oil Extract Concentrate 16 fl oz

Specially formulated for organic agriculture. Garden Safe Neem Oil is all you need to protect your fruits and vegetables and help the environment.

Garden Safe Neem Oil is one of the brand’s most popular products. When applied directly to plants, there’s no risk of damage. In addition, neem oil is harmless to animals and humans.

You can use Garden Safe Neem Oil until the day of harvest, without risk of poisoning. Its main active component is pure neem oil with 0% added substances.

You must mix it with water following the recommended concentrations for each case. Its concentrated formula eliminates eggs, larvae and adult insects. There’s no plague that escapes its effects.

5. A.M. Leonard Plant Doctor Systemic Fungicide

Kill all living organism that feeds on your fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants. A.M. Leonard Plant Doctor Systemic Fungicide is safe because it’s made from natural oils.

When applied, A.M. Leonard Plant Doctor Systemic Fungicide leaves a thin film on the surface that kills for days. Eggs, larvae and adult insects die instantly in contact with the product.

In addition, A.M. Leonard Plant Doctor Systemic Fungicide kills bacteria and fungi. Its main ingredients are 3: sesame oil, fish oil and natural emulsifiers.

This product not only kills, it also cures and prevents foliar diseases that weaken the plant.

6. Ortho Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Insect Killer

Made of a synthetic nicotine, harmless to beneficial insects. Ortho Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Insect Killer is the best pesticide for garden plants that doesn’t affect the ecosystem.

Bees are very important insects for the ecosystem. Thanks to them, pollination is possible. Through this process, plants produce fruits and seeds that serve as food for other species, including humans.

The main active ingredient on Ortho Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Insect Killer is acetamiprid, which at low concentrations is lethal to pests. It’s also harmless to bees and other beneficial insects if you apply it in the appropriate concentrations.

Acetamiprid removes eggs on the surface of fruits and vegetables and keeps them protected when absorbed.

7. Dr. Earth Final Stop Vegetable Garden Insect Killer

Its lethal formula for unwanted insects includes 13 inert ingredients. The strong aroma of Dr. Earth Final Stop Vegetable Garden Insect Killer will keep pests away from your plants for a long time.

Garlic extract, sesame oil, thyme oil, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil and rosemary oil. Although it looks like a recipe, it’s really the formulation of Dr. Earth Final Stop Vegetable Garden Insect Killer.

This peculiar mixture eliminates more than 100 types of insects, including spider mites and fruit flies. When plants absorb the active components, it helps to nourish fruits and vegetables, making them look healthy and radiant.

It’s proven that the strong aroma of this product keeps certain mammals away from your crops, including squirrels and dogs. You no longer have to worry about your pet ruining your garden again.

8. Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer

It continues killing 90 days after the first application. A 10-lb bag of Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer is enough to eliminate pests in an area of 10,000 square feet. A far superior product than the best insecticide for roaches.

Using this product, you won’t have to buy other insect killers for months. Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer removes all kinds of insects on the surface 24 hours after application.

When absorbed, it continues killing soil insects for 90 days. To use it, you only need to dissolve it in water, following the recommended concentrations. In addition, it’s a safe product for pets and children.

In contrast to organic insect killers, Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer’s main ingredient is imidacloprid, a synthetic nicotine that acts as a neurotoxin for insects.

9. Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer

It kills more than 260 types of common insects in gardens and farms. When it comes to eliminating insects, Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer is a real killing machine. It’s the best insecticide for home use.

It kills more insect types than other similar products. Surface insects die 24 hours after application. Three months later, Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer continues to kill soil insects.

Its main active ingredient, gamma-cyhalothrin is highly toxic. Therefore, you need to handle carefully and mix in the correct concentrations. If you use more than the required product, it also kills beneficial insects.

You can apply it directly on fruits and vegetables without risk. A single 32 fl oz bottle is enough to eliminate pests in an area of ​​5,120 square feet.

10. Garden Safe Brand Multi-Purpose Garden Insect Killer

If you’re afraid of chemicals, this is the perfect option for you. Garden Safe Brand Multi-Purpose Garden Insect Killer is organic, safe and free of side effects.

It protects your fruits and vegetables from common insects for a period of 2-4 weeks. You must apply it directly on fruits, stems and leaves to ensure the total elimination of the pest and its eggs.

You can apply this product until harvest time without problems. When plants absorb it, it cures and keeps them disease free. It also helps disappear common dark spots after an insect attack.

Insects die almost instantly after ingesting and touching the product. During the application, you must follow the recommended concentrations so as not to harm beneficial plants and insects.

Insect Killer for Vegetable Garden Buying Guide

Let’s be honest! Keeping insects away from your crops demands too much money. So much so that some gardeners prefer to invent their own formulas rather than spend a small fortune on those famous products that promise miraculous results.

Other people don’t buy them for the bad reputation they have. It’s proven that when dissolved and filtered through the ground, pest killers pollute water sources. Some products, not only kill insects, but everything that crosses their path.

Therefore, you should know very well the formulation of the insect killers that you use in your garden or you could be committing a magnicide to the ecosystem.

Many believe that chemicals to control pests cause cancer. However, not all insect killers have the same formulation, so it’s impossible to be sure that everyone has the same effect.

Anyway, the opinions are diverse and while some defend the chemical products, others opt for something more natural. Whatever your choice, it’s convenient that you know some basic concepts about insect killers before buying one.

Safe for Humans and Pets

Before applying any product in your garden, make sure it’s safe for humans and pets. Dogs, for example, love sniffing everywhere, especially the gardens.

Some products with systemic effect are so powerful that they can cause paralysis in squirrels and raccoons with just a contact. For that reason, don’t use a product without first knowing its composition.

Some chemicals can cause malformations in fetuses. To avoid complications, it’s wise to keep pregnant women away from crops sprayed with chemical insect killers.

Chemical vs. Organic

This is a common issue. No one can make a perfect decision about these options. So here is our discussion.

Chemical?

No one can deny that chemicals are more powerful and effective than organic ones. However, the great popularity of organic products has forced many farmers to change their pest control methods.

Today, most organic insect killers that are sold in the market are biodegradable and beneficial to the ecosystem. One of them is neem oil. This bitter substance is deadly in its purest presentation for all types of bad insects.

It kills surface insects, ground insects and flying insects. In addition, its aroma is unbearable for plagues, keeping them away from your vegetables. When it’s absorbed by the soil, it degrades and acts as a fertilizer.

Unlike other products, neem oil serves as an insect killer and fertilizer at the same time.

Organic?

Another popular organic insect killer these days is Spinosad. Discovered in 1985, in a soil sample from a non-operational rum distillery in the Virgin Islands. This compound comes from the fermentation of some natural products by the action of the S. spinosa bacteria.

It’s a selective insect killer, because it only eliminates insects that feed on plants. The product, after ingested, kills between 1-2 days later. In adult insects, it has a lethal effect. In the larvae, it delays metamorphosis process.

By far, neem oil and Spinosad are the most efficient organic insect killers. However, there are other products that combine oils and extracts from edible species to protect small organic crops.

Some of these are garlic extract, fish oil and thyme oil. Products with these ingredients aren’t as effective and can even attract other pests. In addition, they can ruin fruits and vegetables when applied directly.

Range of Action

Some insect killers only kill. It doesn’t matter if the insect is good or bad. However, without beneficial insects nearby, it’s certain that your fruits and vegetables won’t reach full ripening.

You should make sure that the product you use only kills the insects that feed on your fruits and vegetables. Also that the pests that commonly attack your crops are within the range of action.

Some people end up regretting buying a certain insect killer, after knowing that it’s harmless to the greatest threat to their fruits and vegetables. If you’re going to use a product for the first time, make sure you know how many types of insects it kills and which they are.

Duration

The frequency of application of a particular product also tells you how effective it is. It isn’t convenient to buy a product that is too expensive to apply every day. If your vegetable garden is too big, you’ll end up bankrupt before harvest.

Some organic products have a residual effect that continues to kill for weeks. However, chemical insect killers can continue killing for months. In addition, they are highly soluble in water and kill insects that can eat the roots.

Obviously, for crops that are too large, the use of chemical concentrates is the only alternative. The application of such large volumes of organic pest killers is impractical and unsustainable.

Price

The price is perhaps the main reason that forces farmers to prefer between one product and another. If it’s effective and cheap, it’s good. That’s how most of them think. However, those who think that way could be contaminating the soil and water sources without knowing it.

Organic products are safe and don’t contaminate water or soil. In addition, they degrade very fast. However, the most concentrated organic insect killers are also the most expensive.

Highly concentrated chemical insect killers only cost a small fraction of what the purest organic pest killer could cost. Neem oi, for example, is one of the most expensive natural products.

Obviously, the larger your organic crop, the more money you’ll have to pay in pest killers. For that reason, before opting for the natural path, you must calculate very well the money you’ll need.

Best Brands of Insect Killers of Vegetable Garden

Today, there are too many different brands of insect killers. Some appear, become popular for a while and then disappear. The market of the pest killers moves very fast and what one day was a trend, days later it’s outdated or declared illegal.

However, for years, three brands of chemical and organic products have become preferred by expert farmers to obtain perfect vegetables. They are:

Bayer is the world leader in sales of chemical insect killers. It’s true that their products aren’t the cheapest, but they’re the most effective.

Monterey and Scotts are two popular organic products companies. Both have earned the trust of consumers for the efficiency and quality of their products.

Insect Killer for Vegetable Garden FAQs

If you’re still not sure whether to opt for chemical or organic products to kill insects in your vegetable garden, maybe these FAQs and their answers can help you.

Q-1. Chemical or organic? Which is the best insect killer for lawns?

Taking into account the efficiency, the duration of its effect and the great variety of different pests that can eliminate, the chemical insect killers are the best. However, the decision is always yours.

Q-2. How to keep bugs from eating my plants?

Apply insect killer following the recommended dose and frequency.

Q-3. How to get rid of bugs in garden soil?

Apply the best lawn insect killer granules in the market. Best products have a long lasting effect that keeps killing bugs during months.

Q-4. Do insect killers kill bees?

Most certified and legally sold insect killers are harmless to beneficial insects.

Q-5. How many days should I wait to see dead insects in my garden?

That depends on the product you use. The chemicals are immediate action. Instead, organic products act after 1-2 days.

Q-6. Which insect killers are cheaper?

Chemical insect killers are cheaper than organic.

Q-7. Is it convenient to apply organic insect killers on fruits and vegetables?

You must follow the concentrations indicated in the instructions. An incorrect application can ruin an entire crop.

Q-8. Do insect killers also eliminate eggs?

Yes. Insect killers serve to eliminate insects and their eggs to prevent further proliferation.

Q-9. Which insect killers have the greatest residual action?

When the effect of the best organic insect killer can last up to 2 weeks, the effect of a highly concentrated chemical insect killer can remain for 3 months.

Q-10. Are organic insect killers safe for pregnant women?

It depends on the composition of the product. In any case, it’s convenient to avoid exposure to the product.

Conclusion

Not all insect killers are as safe as they seem. It’s always convenient to verify its composition and investigate its possible side effects. Some organic products contain dangerous substances, so you can’t trust them all.

Be sure to use products approved by the competent authorities. Also check if the product, chemical or organic, is safe for humans and pets.

If you follow these tips, you’ll choose the best lawn insect killer for your garden and the environment.