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 What are Insecticidal Soaps?
Most Insecticidal Soaps are mild contact insecticides made from potassium or sodium salts of fatty acids of animals. Soaps are effective in drying up soft-bodied insects only while the soapy liquid is in direct contact with the waxy cuticle of insects such as aphids.
Commercial Insecticidal Soap formulation strategy is to reduce damage to the plant, but in some cases, plant injury can still occur. Since there is no Insecticidal effect of these soaps once they are dry, growers’ sometime rinse off the soapy residues. This not only helps the plant, but the rinsing removes additional pests by physically washing them away. None of the soaps are very toxic to animals. Dishwashing soaps and detergents can also be effective against soft-bodied insects but have not been formally evaluated as pesticides and may damage the plant by breaking down the waxy layer protecting the leaf surface. Soft soaps such as Ivory are biodegradable and kill some insects but are not potent. Do not use detergent soaps, they may be caustic. Soaps take time to mix and must be applied many times to be effective. Remember: Insecticidal Soaps do not have any residual effects and are essentially ineffective after they dry.
If one has the time Commercial Insecticidal Soaps are effective on some insects. They are not very affective when used for heavily infested plants with spider mites, scales and white fly.
Terms of use
Agreement /
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