Garlic Water + Kaolin Clay: My Homemade Pest Deterrent That Actually Works

I've been testing this messy mix on my fruit and veg in Tonbridge and it's been a game changer.

You know I'm not a perfect gardener. I want cheap, natural stuff that actually works. This does.

One of my melons had been nibbled - classic mice. I sprayed this around it and on the leaves - no more nibbling since.

And my brassicas? Cabbage white butterflies were laying eggs all over them. Since I started spraying this, they've stayed away.

HOW IT WORKS

Garlic Water: Releases natural sulfur compounds. Strong smell that puts off soft-bodied insects and chewing pests. They hate it.

Kaolin Clay: Leaves a fine, whitish mineral film on the leaves. It disorients pests and stops them feeding or laying eggs. It's just a physical barrier.

Liquid Soap: Acts as a sticker. Helps the garlic-clay mix stick to waxy leaves instead of running straight off.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• 2 whole garlic bulbs, crushed

• 1 litre water

• 1 to 2 tablespoons pure kaolin clay (not a kilo!)

• 1 teaspoon mild liquid soap (I use Fairy)

• Fine mesh strainer or muslin cloth, and a spray bottle

STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE

1. Peel and crush 2 whole garlic bulbs.

2. Soak the crushed garlic in 1 litre of water for 12 to 24 hours.

3. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or muslin cloth to remove all the bits.

4. Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of pure kaolin clay until it's fully mixed - you want a cloudy suspension, not thick paint.

5. Add 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap and mix well.

6. Pour into a spray bottle.

My Mix Rates (Kent water is hard)

I use 2 bulbs garlic, crushed and soaked in 1 litre hot water overnight, strained. Then add 1 tablespoon kaolin clay per litre, shake well.

Spray early morning in Tonbridge — before 9am — so leaves dry by midday. I spray every 7 days and after rain.

Does it actually work?

For me in my allotment, garlic alone cut cabbage white eggs by half. Garlic + kaolin together cut damage by about 80% on my brassicas in September.

FAQ

Does garlic water burn leaves? Not if you spray morning, not midday sun.

How to mix kaolin clay? 1 tbsp per litre, shake constantly.

When to spray in Kent? April-June, again late August-September.

HOW I USE IT

Timing: Spray early morning or late evening - not in blazing sun or you'll scorch the leaves.

Testing: Always test on a few leaves first to check your plants are happy.

Reapplication: Every 5 to 7 days, or straight after heavy rain has washed it off.

This is a preventative. If you've already got a massive infestation it won't nuke them overnight, but as a regular deterrent - for mice, slugs, caterpillars, cabbage whites and other pests - it's worked brilliantly on my fruit and veg.

NOTE; I prefer to add Kaolin clay, but it's not Essential... but i think it works better with kaolin.

Let me know if you try it. if you do add kaolin, make sure to thoroughly wash sprayer, otherwise clay will block the nozzle.

Digger Dave The Messy Gardener - Tonbridge, Kent