7 DIY Insecticidal Soap Recipes for the Garden to Kill Pests
02.08.2023 - 06:41
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These non-toxic solutions can wipe out the problem of garden bugs without causing much harm to the rest of your yard. Know everything about DIY Insecticidal Soap Recipes for the Garden!
Insecticidal soaps contain fatty acids as the active ingredient, also called soap salts. They are formed when the fatty portions combine together to form a strong alkali compound. Quite potent in killing soft-bodied garden bugs such as mites, mealybugs, and aphids on contact, insecticidal soap is most effective when applied to well-hydrated plants.
You can use any mild liquid soap, like a dawn dish or dishwashing liquid. You can also go for castile soap or any other washing liquid detergent.
Mix 1-2 tablespoons of liquid soap in a liter of water. Shake well before use and spray directly where you spot the pests.
This solution works best on soft-bodies pests and can be helpful to repel larger critters like hornworms, slugs, and snails to quite an extent.
The Volcani Institute, a Ministry of Agriculture Agricultural Research Organization, Israel has proven the potency of vegetable oils as an alternative to market-based pesticides that disrupt the organic nature of vegetables.
Add 10 ml of any cooking oil, such as vegetable, corn, soybean, sunflower, or peanut, and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap in a liter of water. Ensure the soap does not contain bleach or anything similar that can harm your plants.
Mix well and spray where you spot the pest infestation. Repeat it once every 2-3 weeks till you get rid of the problem completely.
Studies prove the efficacy of hot pepper extracts against effective against soft-bodies pests such as aphids on vegetable plants.
Mix 2 teaspoons of liquid soap in 1 liter of warm water. Now, add a small teaspoon of