Your cart is currently empty!
Tips On How To Clean Leaves On Houseplants
Learn the importance of grooming houseplants and how to keep them healthy by cleaning leaves to catch pests and signs of illness early.
Your cart is currently empty!
The post White Oil Insecticide: What Is THIS Homemade Organic Pesticide? appeared first on Plant Care Today.
White oil is an all natural pest-fighting concoction and popular insecticide spray in Australia. It is a simple recipe used to control a wide range of insect pests made up of:
Organic gardeners have used horticultural oils and for pest control for decades. Many claim the oil sprays (horticultural) are very effective when used against chewing and sucking insects such as citrus leaf miners, mealybugs, scale insects and the control of aphids.
In this article, we share a simple recipe for making your own white oil insecticide at home, along with an even simpler alternative. We also provide instructions on how to use the oil effectively. Read on to learn more.
Making the white oil pesticide couldn’t be easier or more economical. It is a simple combination of vegetable oil and dishwashing detergent.
While some recipes call for specific types of oil such as sunflower seed oil, the fact is you can use any (non-mineral oil type) vegetable oil. Canola oil is the least expensive and the most widely available, and it works just fine. Many people who use dish soap to make insecticidal sprays highly recommend Dawn dishwashing liquid. However, any dishwashing liquid will do.
To make your own white oil concentrate, combine dishwashing detergent and cooking oil (non-mineral oil type) at a ratio of 1 to 2. Adjust the amounts to suit your needs.
This is concentrated white oil insecticide. Remember this is a highly concentrated soap spray mixture, so 3 cups will last a very long time. To use the concentrate, you must dilute the mixture and combine a tablespoon of white oil with 2 quarts of water. Apply this mixture as a spray using either a small, hand pump spray bottle or a garden sprayer.
When you apply the spray, be sure to saturate every surface of the plant. Make sure to spray the undersides of leaves, the tops of leaves, the stems, the trunk and any cracks and crevices where stems split off from the central plant. Take care when applying this mixture. DO NOT apply it during very cold or warm days (below 40° or above 85° degrees Fahrenheit).
Avoid applying it on very sunny days. Application during these times can cause burn marks on plants. Also, do not apply the spray when it’s windy as this will cause an overspray problem and waste the product. Like all organic pest control solutions, you’ll need to use this spray a little more often than a chemical poison. Apply it every day until you have eradicated pests from your plants. Reapply as needed and after heavy rains.
It’s really very simple. The spray blocks the breathing pores of insects and the dish soap eats their exoskeleton away. If you don’t want to use dish soap, you can create an even simpler solution. Mixing plain canola oil with water will smother pests. It may take a little bit longer for this simpler solution to work. Homemade Pesticidal oil works on aphids, spider mites, stink bugs, whiteflies and powdery mildew & more
Any oil will work to smother pests. If you are dedicated to organic gardening, you’ll want to use higher quality, organically produced oils. If you just want a natural pest control solution, use the least expensive vegetable oil on your grocery shelves. As a resource, here are two documents produced by the EPA and by Texas A&M explaining the use of all sorts of oils as pesticides.
NOTE: Before applying and spraying your plants with ANY TYPE of spray ALWAYS test the spray in a small area on the plant.
Learn the importance of grooming houseplants and how to keep them healthy by cleaning leaves to catch pests and signs of illness early.
Explore the variety of fresh produce, meats, dairy, and artisanal products at farmer's markets. Support the local economy, enjoy seasonal flavors, and connect with your community.
Growth and spread of Sedum plants vary significantly from species to species. They may spread several feet but only grow a few inches high.
As the warmer weather rolls in, it’s time to think about doing a spring clean-up, to make sure that the yard and landscape are looking good.
Discover how the Bitternut Hickory tree thrives in various environments and provides sweet rewards for wildlife in shady locations.
GardeningCalendar.ca gets some funding from advertisers. If you click on links and advertisements at no cost to you, the site may receive a small commission that helps fund its operation.
© 2025 J&S Calendars Ltd.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.