This homemade miticide spray combines neem oil, insecticidal soap, isopropyl alcohol, adhesion oil, and is lightly scented for use on indoor tropical plants.
It mimics Safer’s brand End All spray which is half of my two-part integrated pest management regimen for my apartment-based tropical collection.
I like to bulk purchase products I’m using on a regular basis, month after month, so rather than buying endless bottles of Safer’s End All – which is a very effective product to combat Thrips, Mites, Fungus Gnats and Aphids – I’ve created a homemade version of their popular miticide spray that uses the same active ingredients at roughly the same strengths.
It’s safe for indoor use when applied at lights-off, and I use it every 30 days as a preventative measure, then if I see a light infestation break out, I bump that area to every 5–7 days to break the life cycle.
This DIY Spray Is Effective Against Thrips, Mites, Fungus Gnats and Aphids
This DIY all-in-one pest control concentrate mimics Safer’s End All using neem oil, insecticidal soap, and isopropyl alcohol.
It’s designed for indoor tropical collections and is effective against a wide range of soft-bodied pests when used monthly or during early infestations.
| Pest Type | Effectiveness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thrips | Good | Kills larvae and adults on contact; rotate with Spinosad for best control |
| Spider Mites | Good | Kills nymphs and adults; does not affect eggs |
| Fungus Gnats | Moderate | Helps reduce adults and surface larvae when sprayed into soil |
| Aphids | Good | Very effective on soft-bodied clusters |
| Mealybugs | Moderate | Works on nymphs; may require repeat applications |
| Whiteflies | Mild | Suppresses small populations if sprayed directly |
Homemade Miticide Spray Formula For Soft-Bodied Pests
- Makes 1L of concentrate
- Store concentrate for up to 3 months in cool, dark place
- A very effective spray when dealing with infestations of Thrips, Mites, Fungus Gnats and/or Aphids.
Miticide Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount (grams) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Insecticidal soap (liquid) | 400 g | Main pest-killing agent |
| Cold-pressed neem oil (100%) | 250 g | Kills + repels pests, mild fungicide |
| Isopropyl alcohol (70%) | 150 g | Enhances mite/thrip knockdown |
| Sunflower or canola oil | 50 g | Helps adhesion, mimics spreaders |
| Essential oil | 1–2 g (~20–40 drops) | Scent + mild deterrent. To your liking. Suggestions: peppermint/lavender/lemongrass |
| Water (filtered, warm) | Top up to 1000 g | Helps emulsify + adjust texture |
Mixing Procedure For 1 Litre of Miticide Concentrate
- Combine warm water + soap first (stir gently).
- Add neem oil + sunflower oil; stir until emulsified.
- Add isopropyl alcohol.
- Add essential oils last. Stir again.
- Store in a dark, cool bottle. Shake well before each use.
Mixing The Miticide For Spray Application
- Scale up your mix by maintaining a 1:16 ratio (ie. 1 part concentrate, 16 parts water)
Mixing for Spray Application (500 mL Spray Bottle)
For a 500mL spray bottle, I use the following formula:
| Measurement Tool | Amount of Concentrate | Top Up With Water |
|---|---|---|
| Tablespoon | 2 Tbsp (30 mL) | To 500 mL |
| Teaspoon | 4 tsp (20 mL) | To 500 mL |
| Ratio | ~1 part concentrate : 16 parts water |
Mixing for Spray Application (750 mL Spray Bottle)
| Measurement Tool | Amount of Concentrate | Approx. Weight (g) | Top Up With Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tablespoon | 3 Tbsp (45 mL) | ~45 g | To 750 mL |
| Teaspoon | 9 tsp (45 mL) | ~45 g | To 750 mL |
| Ratio | ~1 part concentrate : 16 parts water | ||
Mixing for Spray Application (1 L Spray Bottle)
| Measurement Tool | Amount of Concentrate | Approx. Weight (g) | Top Up With Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tablespoon | 4 Tbsp (60 mL) | ~60 g | To 1 L |
| Teaspoon | 12 tsp (60 mL) | ~60 g | To 1 L |
| Ratio | ~1 part concentrate : 16 parts water | ||
How to Use This Highly Effective Homemade Miticide In Your Garden
- Apply every 30 days for prevention, as part of an integrated pest management regimen.
- Use every 5–7 days whenever you see an outbreak or mild infestation, the important part is to break the pest’s life cycle.
- Spray at dusk/lights off. Avoid spraying in direct sun or under grow lights.
- Mix just before use. Shake the concentrate well before pouring.
- Test on a small area first (especially velvety leaves), or consider starting with a bottle of Safer’s End All to see if you even like this as a pest management miticide spray.
