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Loading...Homemade Insecticidal Soap Spray
- Annie B. Bond
- May 30, 1999
- 4:15 pm
- 34 comments
Doug Harp, a graphic designer friend, first alerted me to
soap as an effective all-purpose pesticide when he used Dr.
Bronner’s Liquid Peppermint Pure-Castile Soap diluted with
water to kill the gypsy moths that had infested his apple
trees. We were working on a project together, and I’d get
faxes updating me on his kill rate (this was back before e-mail),
which, much to his delight, was excellent! Impressed, I made
a mental note to look into insecticidal soaps, which I have
since done.
Soap has been used for centuries as an all-purpose pesticide.
It disrupts insects’ cell membranes, and kills pests by
dehydration. The key is not to use too much soap, or you’ll
also kill the vegetation near the pests. If you follow the
proportions of soap to water in the Soap Spray recipe, below,
the vegetation should be fine.
Note: Buy a liquid soap and not a detergent. Health food
stores have liquid soaps, such as Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile
Soaps.
Insecticidal Soap Spray
1 to 2 tablespoons liquid soap
1 quart water
Combine ingredients in a bucket, mix, then transfer to a spray
bottle as needed.
All-Purpose Pesticide Soap Spray
Strong smelling roots and spices such as garlic, onions,
horseradish, ginger, rhubarb leaves, cayenne and other hot
peppers, are all known to repel insects.
INGREDIENTS
A handful of roots and spices
Enough boiling water to cover
Soap Spray (recipe, above)
Add the roots and spices to the bottom of a mason jar. Cover
with the boiling water, screw on the top, and let set overnight.
Strain, and add to the Soap Spray. Note that this will rot,
so use it all up or freeze leftovers for another time.
Variation: Garlic Spray
Use 1 to 2 heads garlic. Deer and rabbits hate the smell
of garlic.
Read more: Nature, Natural Pest Control
By Annie B. Bond
Annie B. Bond
Annie is a renowned expert in non-toxic and green living. Named one of the top 20 environmental leaders by Body and Soul Magazine, Annie has authored four books, including "Home Enlightenment" (Rodale Press, 2005) and "Better Basics for the Home" (Three Rivers Press, 1999).
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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thanks for the info.
34 comments
+ add your ownThank you for sharing.
Very interesting ideas!
thanks
Thanks
Very interesting article, thank you!!!!
i tend to agree with Josh K., too much soap isn't good, nor is too much garlic, which has corrosive molecules - the recipe i learned back in the 70's was one tsp Dr Bronner's for one quart water...
The spice ingredients need to be ground very finely, and even filtered before putting it in spray bottle, or it WILL stop-up the nozzle
I know a trick about keeping critters out of veggie and fruit gardens. Just go to the nearest barber shop or hair salon and ask them for the hair that they sweep up. take it home and spread it around in your garden and the rabbits and deer and the rest of the critters won't come near because it smells like people!!
Thank you
You do not have to go to a health food store to buy this soap. I got the soap at walgreens for 16.99 for a big bottle.
kind of nervous to try this on my brussell sprouts and cabbage plants - due to so many people saying it killed their plants... anyone know of something available commercially that is safe? Thanks!
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