What is Insecticidal Soap?
I wasn’t exactly how to explain what insecticidal soap is so I took a chance and “surfed the net”. As luck would have it, I found an article put out by Washington State University on just this subject! You can read it by going to: http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/lpro002/lpro002.htm The brand I am most familiar with is Safer’s. You can find it (and I’m sure other brands) at your local nursery or home improvement store. Sue Bass DWQUAIL@aol.com wrote: > Thank you I really appreciate your input. I did not use an insecticidal soap > what is that?
Can’t I just use my own household detergent? A: While insecticidal soap is chemically similar to household detergents, the active ingredient in insecticidal soap is potassium salt of fatty acids. It controls insects and mites and minimizes plant injury. It also has minimal adverse effects on ladybeetles, green lacewings, pollinating bees and beneficial insects. Liquid dishwashing detergents may increase the risk of plant injury. They are not designed for plant use and will kill the predatory mites, important in controlling spider mites. Q: What are the white balls of frothy foam on my rosemary plants and how do I get rid of them? A: It is a spittlebug. The frothy foam is a protective hiding place for nymphs from predators while feeding on plant sap. Forget about them or rinse them off with a strong jet of water. Q: Last year the vacant lot next door was covered by mustard plants, which later dried up. We found zillions of tiny bugs migrating from those plants. What are they and how can
Insecticidal soap is a product which is applied to plants to kill insects such as aphids and mites. Many garden supply stores and nurseries carry insecticidal soaps which have been specifically formulated for use on plants, and these products are generally recommended over homemade versions, for reasons which will be discussed below. Applications of insecticidal soap can be used to control ongoing infestations, and to deter insects so that they do not get a chance to damage plants. When soap has the right formulation, it acts as a contact killer for insects by penetrating their bodies and disrupting their internal functions. Classically, insecticidal soap is applied as a diluted spray so that full coverage of a plant is ensured, and it may need to be applied every few weeks to continue providing protection. The solution can be used on both indoor and outdoor plants, and it usually eliminates a wide variety of unwanted insect visitors. While soaps can kill insects, they can also kill pl
Insecticidal soap is a very safe and effective alternative to conventional insecticides in many garden situations. It is used mainly for soft bodied pests like aphids, thrips, scale insect crawlers and spider mites. It is also a very effective leaf wash to remove aphid honeydew, sooty mold and other leaf debris. All soaps are made from the “fatty-acids” of either plant or animal oils. Chemically, soaps are salts of the fatty acid portion of fats and oils. Insecticidal soap is simply a highly refined version of ordinary liquid soap. However, do not jump to the conclusion that you can substitute household soaps, or homemade soaps, for genuine insecticidal soap. Doing so will damage your plants and probably won’t be very effective.
What is Insecticidal Soap?