How to Get Rid of Leaf Miners With Homemade Repellents

Make a highly effective leaf miner killer and repellent from household ingredients.

Many different plant types or varieties have their own particular leaf miner pest. The most effective control for all of the miner species is afforded by their natural insect enemies such as parasitic wasps. Unfortunately, toxic chemical applications intended to kill adult leaf miners typically destroy these predators and just make leaf miner infestations worse. You can create your own highly effective, nontoxic homemade leaf miner killer and repellent with a few common household materials.

Things You'll Need

• 12-inch by 12-inch plastic containers
• Soapy water
• 3 large garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp. mineral oil
• Blender
• 1 tbsp. pure liquid soap such as Castille
• Water
• Coffee filter
• Clean glass jar
• Plastic spray bottle

Instructions

1. Check your seedlings every day for the presence of leaf miner eggs. Examine the undersides of each leaf carefully for what may look like tiny raised spots. Eggs will be present just under the leaf surface. Pick off any infested leaves and destroy them. Don't add them to your compost heap.

2. Set several 12-inch by 12-inch plastic containers at random spots next to seedlings in your garden as soon as you plant. Check the containers for the presence of leaf miner larvae every day and dump any that you find into a bucket of soapy water. When you catch about 10 larvae per tray for 3 or 4 consecutive days, it's time to treat for them.

3. Puree three large garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon of mineral oil in the blender. Allow the mixture to set for at least 24 hours.

4. Add 1 tbsp. of pure liquid soap such as Castille and puree. Slowly pour in 1 pint of water to avoid whipping up a lather. Stir the mixture thoroughly.

5. Strain the repellent concentrate through a coffee filter into a clean glass jar. Cap the jar tightly, label it and store it in the refrigerator.

6. Mix 2 tbsps. of the concentrate with 1 pint of water in a plastic spray bottle.

7. Apply the homemade repellent to any affected plants. Coat all surfaces completely. Repeat once weekly and re-apply following each rainfall.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to purchase plant varieties that are known to be resistant to leaf miners.

• Test any homemade product on a few leaves before you douse the whole plant with it. If the plant doesn't show any signs of damage after two or three days, it's safe to treat with the material.

• Remove and destroy annual plants as soon as you finish harvesting them for the year to prevent leaf miners from wintering in your garden.

References

• University of California; Tomato Leaf Miners; Revised September 23, 2009
• Texas A&M University System; Home Remedies, Repellent and Products; Dr. Bastiaan M. Dees
• EcoChoices EcoLiving Center by EcoPlanet; Homemade Organic Insect Sprays -- Garlic Oil Sprays
• Annette McFarlane: Do It Yourself Pest Control -- Garlic Spray

Resources

• Deep Green Permaculture: Strange Brew! Homemade Garden Sprays -- How to Make White Oil
• Grow It Yourself Australia: Homemade Pest Oil Spray
• Planet Natural: Leaf Miner Control