Homemade Insecticidal Soap for Lettuce

Protect your lettuce from insects by making your own insecticidal soap.

In order to protect your lettuce from pests, you will need to use an insecticide. Homemade insecticidal soap removes pests naturally. Soap, an all-purpose pesticide, kills pests by dehydrating them. In order to make your own insecticidal soap, you will need to dilute a liquid soap with the appropriate amount of water. This will protect the lettuce while killing the pests such as aphids, spider mites, lace bugs and earwigs.

Things You'll Need

• 1 ½ teaspoon dishwashing detergent
• 1 quart water
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Spray the lettuce with a strong stream of water. This will remove dirt and debris from the lettuce.

2. Combine 1 ½ teaspoon of dishwashing detergent with one quart of water.

3. Place the ingredients in a spray bottle.

4. Spray the lettuce with the insecticidal spray.

Tips & Warnings

• Another alternative to the above recipe is to use a brand of oil soap called Murphys. Combine 1 tbsp. of Murphys oil soap, 3 tablespoons of cayenne pepper and 1 quart warm water in a spray bottle. Spray it directly on your lettuce to protect the vegetation from insects.

• Always dilute the soap appropriately before adding it to the lettuce. Too much soap will harm the vegetation.

References

• Eco Living Center: Homemade Organic Insect Sprays
• Advice on Gardening: Homemade Insecticidal Soap
• Care 2: Homemade Insecticidal Soap Spray