Homemade Insecticidal Soap Recipe Choices

Did you know that home gardeners have been utilizing homemade insecticidal soap for an extended period? Historically, fish-oil soap was the prevalent solution for pest control. However, in response to the growing demand for environmentally friendly products, eco-conscious consumers are now opting for all-natural alternatives.

Remember, not all pests are bad. Here are some beneficial insects, good bugs for your garden.

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What Makes An Insecticide Soap Work

Some individuals hold the misconception that mixing soap in water and spraying it on plants possesses a secret pest control method. However, this practice is ineffective. A powerful stream of water can effectively dislodge insects from your garden. The purported “soap” used in this “insect killer” soap may have some beneficial properties, but its effectiveness in this manner is questionable.

Use a true soap, like Dr Bonner’s Castile soap and not a dish detergent or dish soap – more on recommended soaps later. The insect killer power comes from the fatty acids contained in the soap.

The fatty acids work effectively killing soft-bodied insects like aphids, mealybugs, leaf piercing spider mites, thrips, scale insects and whiteflies. These fatty acids dissolve or remove the garden insects cell membranes and their natural protective waxy coatings, causing death from excess water loss.

Potassium salts in the soaps are the most useful in making a spray to control plant pest. One of the most well-known potassium based insecticidal soap spray products is Safer Insecticidal Soap, which controls many plant bug pests found on houseplants, vegetables, and fruit. I like to use Neem oil for plants. Another favorite is Diatomaceous Earth.

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Advantages of Garden Horticultural Soap

• When made and used correctly, organic insecticidal soap sprays are Eco-Friendly to people, plants, animals and the environment.
• No residual effect
• Effective against mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, and thrips (soft-bodied insects) when coming in direct contact
• Biodegradable and nontoxic (right soap required!)
• Safe for beneficial insects, bees, etc
• Perfect for organic gardening and OMRI listed.

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How To Make A Homemade Insecticidal Soap Recipe

Although commercial garden soaps are available for pest control, it is possible to create an effective homemade insecticidal soap at a low cost. Dishwashing detergents intended for household use may not be suitable for this purpose. The selection of the appropriate soap is crucial for achieving optimal results.

The Materials

• The Soap – You want the real thing, pure soap which includes the active ingredient of fatty acids – the bug dissolver! Try to get a liquid soap to make mixing easier. Look for an all-natural pure soap, like Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap, found in many grocery stores or local natural-foods markets. The soap should have no synthetic chemicals, degreasers or skin moisturizers. Experienced gardeners also recommend Naphtha soap.
• The Water – Use Pure Water, distilled is good. If your tap water is good use it, but if you have hard water use a bottled water instead.
• The Sprayer – A clean spray bottle (1 quart) or a garden sprayer will work. It really depends on how much you need to apply. DO NOT USE a weed killer sprayer!

The Insecticidal Soap Mix:

Aim for 2% soap solution:
For a 1 Gallon Solution:

• Mix in 1 gallon of water 5 tablespoons of soap

For a 1 Quart Solution:

• Mix in 1 quart of water 1 tablespoon of soap

Shake well!

More Insecticidal Soap Recipes and Variations

There are some great variations for homemade insecticidal soap here on WikiHow.com

You’ll always find variations in any homemade recipes or home-brewed formulas calling for more or less of some component. Two consistent fundamentals in any of the various home-brewed insecticide formulas: stinky or hot tasting ingredients make the best additions.

Cayenne pepper, red pepper, garlic, powerful herbs and extracts, cider vinegar and even a cooking oil.
No “set formulas” exist, this is all trial and error. What works for one may not work for someone else.

The rates below are all for 1 gallon of spray mix:

• The Bug Chaser: Garlic or Pepper – Add 1 teaspoon of garlic and/or ground red pepper.Powdery Mildew: Vinegar – 1 Teaspoon of cider vinegar
• Make Spray Stick Longer: Cooking Oil – Add two tablespoons of light cooking oil – corn, olive, grapeseed, canola, or safflower.

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Learn and Observe

Caution Regarding Garden Pest Control: Thorough Learning, Observation, and Testing are EssentialCertain spays can cause substantial damage to delicate plant foliage. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct a test spray in a confined area prior to application. If the spray’s potency exceeds expectations, dilution is necessary. In instances where the spray concentrate appears excessively harsh, consider reducing the mixture’s concentration to a 1% solution.

If you examine the label, most commercial insecticidal soap sprays are formulated in a 1% solution. However, it is important to note that a diluted solution may be more gentle on plants but may have a reduced effectiveness. When outdoors, consider selecting plants that are not susceptible to insect infestation, even nearby weeds. You may discover an unexpected ingredient that could serve as the new component you have been seeking.

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How To Tips On Applying Insecticidal Soap

• Before spraying make sure to test the soap solution rate – see above
• Check the weather… Don’t spray on rainy days.
• For best results apply spray early in the day before 9:00 am or late in the afternoon after 5:00 pm, this allows the spray material to be more effective by staying wet longer on the plant.
• Shake well to keep the spray solution mixed and agitated well just before applying. Keep shaking as needed. If solution sits, agitate before spraying.
• When applying a pesticide spray, remember the spray is not a residual. The soap spray must cover and wet the pest, not just put a spray drop on the foliage.
• Take the time to completely cover the tops, underside of leaf and stems with the spray mixture.
• Give aphids, mealybugs, or mites a good complete coating, making sure they are all wet! The spray is useless once dry.
• Apply to healthy and well-watered plants. Do not spray on stressed or wilted plants.
• Avoid spraying tender growth, blooming plants and plants known to be sensitive to soap sprays – ferns, waxy leaf plants, some palms, azaleas, ivy, some vegetables like tomatoes to avoid problems
• Repeat treatment of spray application in a week or so. Many pest problems require follow-up applications depending on the severity of the infestation.

Video on Homemade Insecticidal Soap