Butterflies are beautiful creatures that add charm to any garden. However, some species, like the cabbage white butterfly, monarch caterpillars, and swallowtail larvae, can be destructive to crops and plants. If you’re dealing with an overpopulation of butterflies that are munching away at your vegetables, herbs, and flowers, it’s time to take action with DIY butterfly deterrents.
Instead of using harmful pesticides, try these seven natural and effective DIY methods to keep butterflies and their caterpillars at bay while maintaining a healthy and eco-friendly garden.
1️⃣ Netting & Row Covers
How It Works:
Netting and row covers are among the most effective ways to keep butterflies from laying eggs on your plants. By creating a physical barrier, you prevent the larvae from hatching and feeding on your crops.
Materials Needed:
✔ Garden netting or floating row covers
✔ PVC pipes or garden stakes
✔ Zip ties or clips
How to Set It Up:
- Install stakes or PVC hoops around your vegetable beds.
- Drape the garden netting or row covers over the supports.
- Secure the edges with clips, bricks, or soil to prevent butterflies from slipping through.
Best For:
🥦 Cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables.
🟢 Bonus Tip: Use fine mesh netting with holes smaller than 5mm to prevent even the smallest butterflies from getting through!
2️⃣ Decoy Butterflies
How It Works:
Butterflies are territorial and usually avoid laying eggs where other butterflies have already established themselves. Creating fake butterflies can trick real butterflies into staying away.
Materials Needed:
✔ Plastic butterfly decorations (or printed images laminated)
✔ Sticks or bamboo skewers
✔ String or fishing line
How to Set It Up:
- Cut out butterfly shapes from laminated paper or use plastic butterfly decorations.
- Attach them to sticks or fishing lines and place them around your garden.
- For added movement, hang them from trees so they sway in the wind.
Best For:
🌱 Herb gardens, flower beds, and vegetable patches.
🟢 Bonus Tip: Move the fake butterflies every few days to keep real ones from figuring out your trick!
3️⃣ Natural Butterfly-Repelling Plants
How It Works:
Certain plants emit strong scents that butterflies find unappealing. By planting these around your garden, you can create a natural deterrent.
Best Butterfly-Repelling Plants:
🌿 Lavender – Strong fragrance confuses butterflies and other pests.
🌿 Wormwood – Repels cabbage butterflies and other garden pests.
🌿 Rosemary & Thyme – Aromatic herbs that deter butterflies.
🌿 Onions & Garlic – Their strong odor keeps butterflies away from vegetable patches.
How to Use Them:
- Plant these herbs and flowers around the perimeter of your garden.
- Grow them between rows of vegetables to provide extra protection.
- Crush and scatter fresh leaves around your plants for an even stronger effect.
🟢 Bonus Tip: Use essential oils from these plants to create a homemade butterfly-repelling spray!
4️⃣ Homemade Butterfly-Repellent Spray
How It Works:
A homemade spray made with natural ingredients can deter butterflies from landing on your plants and laying eggs.
Ingredients:
✔ 2 cups of water
✔ 1 teaspoon dish soap
✔ 10 drops peppermint or lavender essential oil
✔ 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
How to Use It:
- Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle.
- Shake well and spray directly onto leaves and stems.
- Reapply every few days and after rain.
Best For:
🥬 Lettuce, kale, cabbage, and leafy greens that butterflies love.
🟢 Bonus Tip: Avoid spraying on pollinator-friendly flowers so you don’t deter beneficial insects like bees!
5️⃣ Egg Removal & Manual Control
How It Works:
If butterflies still manage to lay eggs, removing them manually can stop caterpillars before they hatch.
Steps to Follow:
- Inspect the undersides of leaves for tiny yellow or green butterfly eggs.
- Remove eggs with your fingers or a soft cloth.
- Drop them into soapy water to prevent hatching.
Best For:
🌱 Small gardens and potted plants.
🟢 Bonus Tip: Check plants every 2–3 days to stay ahead of butterfly egg-laying cycles!
6️⃣ Reflective & Shiny Objects
How It Works:
Butterflies and many insects are disturbed by reflective surfaces. Hanging shiny objects can confuse them and keep them away.
Materials Needed:
✔ Aluminum foil strips
✔ Old CDs/DVDs
✔ Mylar balloons or reflective tape
How to Use Them:
- Hang CDs, foil strips, or reflective tape around your garden.
- Place aluminum foil around plant bases to reflect sunlight.
- Use wind chimes with reflective surfaces to deter butterflies and other pests.
Best For:
🌻 Flower beds, vegetable gardens, and fruit orchards.
🟢 Bonus Tip: Attach foil strips near plants prone to butterfly infestations for extra protection.
7️⃣ Companion Planting for Protection
How It Works:
Companion planting helps protect crops by using strong-smelling plants that act as natural deterrents while attracting butterfly predators.
Best Companion Plants for Butterfly Control:
🌿 Basil & Mint – Repels butterflies while attracting bees and beneficial insects.
🌿 Marigolds – Their scent deters cabbage butterflies and other garden pests.
🌿 Nasturtiums – Works as a “trap crop” to lure butterflies away from important plants.
How to Use Them:
- Plant companion plants next to vulnerable crops.
- Use trap crops like nasturtiums to lure butterflies away from vegetables.
- Rotate companion plants each season for maximum effectiveness.
🟢 Bonus Tip: Nasturtiums attract aphids away from plants too—so they serve a dual purpose in pest control!
Final Thoughts
Keeping butterflies from damaging your plants doesn’t mean eliminating them entirely. The goal is to prevent overpopulation of caterpillars while maintaining a healthy garden.
✅ Use a combination of these methods for the best results.
✅ Protect your crops without harming beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs.
✅ Monitor your garden regularly to adjust strategies as needed.
Which of these DIY butterfly deterrents will you try first? Let us know in the comments! 🌿🦋
