Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Insect Control - Soaps and Detergents PDF
Insect Control - Soaps and Detergents PDF
soaps. The risk of plant damage is greater undersides of leaves and other protected
with homemade preparations of household sites. Insects that cannot be completely
soaps or detergents. When in doubt, test wetted, such as aphids within curled leaves,
soap-detergent sprays for phytotoxicity will not be controlled.
problems on a small area a day or two Environmental factors also can affect
before an extensive area is treated. use of soaps. In particular, soaps (but
Plant injury can be reduced by using not synthetic detergents) are affected by
sprays that are diluted more than the 2 to the presence of minerals found in hard
3 percent suggested on label instructions. water, which results in chemical changes
To reduce leaf injury, wash plants within producing insoluble soaps (soap scum).
a couple of hours after the application. Control decreases if hard-water sources are
Limiting the number of soap applications used. Insecticidal soaps may also be more
can also be important, as leaf damage can effective if drying is not overly rapid, such
accumulate with repeated exposure. as early or late in the day.
However, because of the short residual Soaps and detergents can offer a
action, repeat applications may be needed relatively safe and easy means to control
at relatively short intervals (four to seven many insect pests. As with all pesticides,
days) to control certain pests, such as spider however, there are limitations and hazards
mites and scale crawlers. Also, application associated with their use. Understand
must be thorough and completely wet these limitations, and carefully follow all
the pest. This usually means spraying label instructions.