Kill Aphids, Mealybugs, and More
Do you have aphids, mealybugs or other pesky little bugs in your garden? Don't let them get too comfortable! Use this mild, inexpensive, organic homemade soap spray to stop them in their tracks and prevent them from further damaging your plants. Insecticidal soap sprays can be used indoors and on houseplants. Read on to learn how easy it is to make your own!
When mixed and used correctly, using insecticidal soap is very effective at killing small soft-bodied insect pests such as aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, whiteflies, psyllids and scales. On the other hand, it's gentle on your plants, non-toxic to wildlife, and won't harm beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, or bees!
Keep in mind that seeing a couple of bugs here and there is completely normal and expected even in a natural garden. When a few aphids or other pests are around, we usually don't interfere. Instead, we hope that their natural predators, such as ladybugs or lacewings, will help keep their populations in check. We also buy and release ladybugs to help with that! But when it's obvious that the "bad guys" significantly outnumber the good guys? Spray soap to the rescue!
What is insecticidal soap and how does it work?
Insecticidal soap, also known as horticultural soap, kills soft-bodied insects by disrupting their sensitive cell membranes. Basically, it coats and penetrates the natural protective barrier around their body, causing them to dry out or dry out. It kills them by insect-specific physical mechanisms, and is not "poisonous". Therefore, soap sprays will not work against insects with a hard exoskeleton or different anatomy, such as many beetles, crickets, bees, grasshoppers, pill bugs, beetles or caterpillars.
Also, insect repellent sprays have little-to-no-residue effect and kill only on direct contact. This means that it must be sprayed on target insects to work.
There are many commercial pre-made insecticidal soaps available for purchase. However, although they are generally rated as "organic horticulture" and are more environmentally friendly than other pesticides, they often contain a long list of chemicals. So, I feel more comfortable making my own! I mean, why not? Homemade insecticidal soap is super cheap and easy to make, and about as natural and gentle as you can get.
Insecticide spray recipe
To make your own homemade aphid soap spray, you only need two ingredients: liquid soap and water. Pure castile soap is the best choice for making soap spray. It is effective and will not harm your plants. We use Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap. Peppermint Dr. Bronner's soap offers even more protection because peppermint repels bugs! Avoid using bleach or degreaser additives or soaps or detergents for the dishwasher.
Mixing Instructions:
Add 1 tablespoon of liquid soap per liter of water. Mix only what you use that day.
For a large batch, use 5 to 6 tablespoons of soap per gallon of water.
Shake together in your sprayer to mix well. Use warm water to encourage the mixture.
For light applications, mix them in a small classic spray bottle. To treat a large plant or area, we use a half-gallon pump sprayer - to produce more aphid spray and reduce the need for repeated "stimulation" during application. If you are reusing old cleaning spray bottles, be sure to wash them thoroughly before using them in your garden!
Application Instructions:
Like any plant treatment or spray, "best practice" to use it in a small test area a day or two before treating a large area. Honestly, we've never had problems with soapy spray - but I have to give you a disclaimer!
It is better to spray soap in the evening. Do not use aphid sprays in direct sunlight as this can cause the plant leaves to burn in the sunlight - a condition known as phototoxicity. Plus, beneficial insects are less active in the evenings!
Spray insect soap directly on the touch Rubu Kondal only kills, so spray it on the bugs! Coat them well.
Twist or peel off curled leaves as needed to access easy-to-reach bugs. I usually get up there and rub the affected areas and leaves as I spray, while manually crushing the aphids or mealybugs with my fingers.
If the day after your evening application is forecast to be very hot and sunny, I recommend washing off the remaining soap (now - dead bugs) by sprinkling the plant with water by the next morning. Again, this is mostly to prevent potential sunburn, although I love the satisfaction of cleaning and spraying victims too! Avoid wetting the leaves during direct sunlight.
Reapply soap every 4 to 7 days as needed. A pest problem may require several treatments.
Initial treatment. It's much easier to poke a little infestation in the bud than to wait and battle with an epic!
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