Insecticidal Soap for Plants
No gardener likes to see aphids, white flies or other pests in his or her garden. Not only do these bugs greatly diminish plant production, but they can---if the infestation is bad enough---kill the infested plants. Fortunately, the most recommended treatment for ridding your garden of a number of pests is the use of insecticidal soap. Not only is this soap easy to use, but it's non-toxic to humans and animals. Does this Spark an idea?
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How Insecticidal Soap Works
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As Washington State University Extension explains, the salts of fatty acids found in insecticidal soap penetrate certain insects' exoskeletons. This makes the contents inside a pest's cells leak, leading to dehydration and death.
To work, insecticidal soaps must come into direct contact with insects. The soap will stop working once it's dry.
Pests
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Insecticidal soaps work best for soft-bodied pests, including aphids, mites, white flies, thrips and young leafhoppers. According to the Montreal Botanical Garden, insecticidal soaps, properly applied, have about a 50 percent success rate among these pests, although it may be necessary to spray on several applications.
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Water and Insecticidal Soaps
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It's important to note that water hardness can reduce the ability of insecticidal soap to work effectively. Therefore, if you purchase commercial insecticidal soap and must add water, or if you make your own insecticidal soap, always use the purest water possible.
To test your water, thoroughly wash a clear jar. Add a small amount of the soap and water to the jar and stir well. Allow the jar to sit for 15 minutes. If the mixture is milky and uniform, the water is appropriate for use with insecticidal soap. However, if there is scum on the top of the water, you'll need to purchase bottled water.
Homemade Insecticidal Soap
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Although insecticidal soap may be purchased commercially, many gardeners make their own. According to the Iowa State University Extension, all you need is dish detergent and water. Mix the two ingredients, using about 1 tbsp. of dish detergent for every quart of water. To use home made insecticidal soap, place it in a thoroughly cleaned spray bottle.
Application
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It's essential to cover pests well with insecticidal soap. Apply the spray to both the upper and lower part of the leaves as well as stems, buds and any other part of the plant where pests can be seen.
Avoid applying soap when it's likely to dry out quickly---for example, in the heat of the afternoon. In addition, insecticidal soap may increase the plant's risk of burning. Morning application is usually best.
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References
- Photo Credit bouton de rose image by asb from Fotolia.com
