http://www.care2.com/greenliving/homemade-insecticidal-soap.html
Homemade Insecticidal Soap Spray
By Annie B. Bond
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.
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17 comments
add your comment »I agree with so many answers to peoples questions, but I have one which I find it hard to find an answer.
How do you get rid of sparrows from invading the property keeping native birds away and spoiling the bird bath water?
Look forward to an answer soon,
Graham
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why is this inappropriate?
I used this recipe (2 tablespoons liquid soap to 1 qt or water) to rid my young weeping willow of aphids. This resulted in serious damage to the tree. I then checked other recipies on the Internet and see that most recommend 2 tablespoons per gallon or 2+ teaspoons per quart.
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why is this inappropriate?
Is this a good soap solution to spray my indoor plants? (to kill potential mites, etc. on my tropical plants...etc.
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why is this inappropriate?
I have fleas in my garden so how do I kill them?
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why is this inappropriate?
Would B T work, bacillus thorogencus(?)work
why is this inappropriate?
Will this work to kill Grasshoppers...they destroyed my garden last year. All the Red Chile peppers,jalopenos,bell peppers,lettuce,strawberry's,tomatoes, thyme,and broccoli plants were eaten and not usable. So will this soap recipe work for them? Also the last part of the actile, when you let the roots and spices sit in boiling hot water over night, when you strain it and add it to your soap spray...are we adding the water to the soap spray or the roots and spices?
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why is this inappropriate?
Although I agree that soap sprays have been around for ages I would just like to point out that here in the U.K. It is actually illegal to make up your own sprays unless the ingredients are properily labeled with a MAFF number displayed on the packageing.
In saying that I somehow feel that it is a law that will not be persued providing no pollution or harm to the enviorment takes place.
Mark ceo Lofthouse landscapes
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why is this inappropriate?
I have found a plan for getting rid of whiteflies on my wildflowers. The last step, after using insecticidal soap, says to use pyrethrin. Should I only use this if the soap is ineffective, or as the final step in the plan? Any advice is greatly appreciated; my wildflowers just started to bloom, but the infestation is weakening the plants and is a huge nuisance for every living plant around it. Thanks!! Tiffany
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why is this inappropriate?
Can someone please help me??? My roses are being invaded with aphids. Everything I've tried (except the garlic, onion, cayenne pepper solution)has not worked. It's getting frustrating.
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why is this inappropriate?
This is probably related to Laurie's question, but could I use this spray to kill wasps and hornets? Life-threatening allergies to wasp stings run in my family.
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why is this inappropriate?
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