Insecticidal soap spray
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Plain liquid soap in water at 1, 2 or 3 percent strength to spray aphids and other soft-bodied pests.
What You’ll Need
- Household hand soap or liquid dishwashing detergent (not dry dish soaps or laundry detergents)
- Water (distilled or rainwater if your water is very hard)
- Amounts by strength:
- 1% soap solution: 1.5 tablespoon/gallon 2 teaspoon/per quart or 1 teaspoon/pint
- 2% soap solution: 5 tablespoons/gallon 4 teaspoons/quart or 2 teaspoons/pint
- 3% soap solution: 8 tablespoons/gallon 2 tablespoons/quart or 1 tablespoon/pint
- 4% soap solution: 10 tablespoons/gallon 2.5 tablespoons/quart or 4 teaspoons/pint
Equipment
- spray bottle
Directions
- Pick a hand soap or liquid dish detergent. Some are weak insecticides, so you may have to experiment.
- Stir it into water at the strength you need.
- TEST FIRST: Spray a small part of the plant and watch it for a couple of days for damage.
- Use the weakest strength that still controls the insects.
- Spray at least 2-3 times, 4-7 days apart, because soap leaves no lasting effect and eggs hatch within days.
- A couple of hours after spraying, rinse or wipe the leaves and stems to remove the residue.
Notes
Homemade soap sprays can burn leaves or stems (phytotoxicity), more so than ready-made insecticidal soaps. Very hard water reduces effectiveness.
Safety: Never use bleach-containing soaps, dry dish soaps, or laundry detergent. Spray in the cool of the day, not in hot sun. Avoid spraying open flowers where bees are foraging. Label the sprayer and keep it away from kids and pets.