How to Spray Oil in a Garden Sprayer

Horticultural oil is effective against aphids.

Horticultural oils to manage garden pests are popular alternatives to chemical insecticides. They are safe to use around people and pets and don't harm what are known as "non-target" insects, such as bees, according to entomologists with Iowa State University Extension. To be effective, oils need to completely cover the targeted insects, so a thorough, even spray is required. Garden sprayers are ideal tools for applying horticultural oil.

Things You'll Need

• Tank-type garden sprayer
• Horticultural oil
• Detergent

Instructions

1. Remove the lid from the garden sprayer tank.

2. Add the oil to the sprayer at the rate suggested on the package. Neem and other horticultural oils are sometimes mixed with warm water, so add the oil first and then the water and stir the mixture. Replace the lid on the tank.

3. Pressurize the sprayer with the hand pump if you are using a compression sprayer. After a few pumps you will meet with resistance, which means that the tank is pressurized.

4. Adjust the nozzle at the tip of the wand until you've found a wide spray setting.

5. Start spraying at the top of the plant and work your way down.

6. Move the garden sprayer's wand slowly in a left to right arc. Be sure to spray the underside of the foliage as well.

   Clean the garden sprayer and the nozzle after using by filling it with soapy water and spraying it on a driveway or other non-planted area.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Using Your Handheld Lawn and Garden Sprayer
• "Rodale's Chemical-Free Yard & Garden"; Anna Carr and Fern Marshall Bradley; 1995