With a growth in gardening as a popular pass-time, alongside a growing desire to be a little more environmentally friendly, their has been a boom in safe, Eco friendly and organic garden insecticide products. Insecticide soap is a particularly popular choice as it so non-polluting and non-toxic to people and pets. The nostalgia value of knowing our ancestors have used soap insecticides for generations probably helps. It is a really simple garden insecticide to make yourself too, which definitely appeals to the growing frugal nerve in us all too.
Soap is really safe but we should still exercise caution when using it as a garden pesticide. The idea that we are using something to kill insects should give the game away, that mild though it is, there is still some power in that spray.
Some plants are particularly sensitive to soap sprays. Buying a ready made formulation means you will get a list of plants to avoid. You can be sure the product has been tested thoroughly on a wide range of garden plants so should be fine for any not listed. If you are making a homemade insecticide you will need to be a little more cautious. As though we can say generally certain plants do not respond well to soap sprays, we cannot be certain how they will all react to yours. Soaps vary in alkalinity and strength so it is best to err on the side of caution, at least when you make a new batch up. If in doubt test a small part of a plant with a few applications before spraying the whole thing.
This is one area where the commercial preparations have an advantage over homemade insecticides – they are consistent. All their ingredients and formulations can be tested and then kept constant. Each time we make a batch at home, we have no control over whether the soap we are using has had its composition changed by its manufacturer.
Always opt for the mildest soap you can find when making a homemade soap spray. Try to avoid detergents (such as washing up liquid) as these are more likely to be potential dangers for your plants. That being said, I know many people repeatedly throw their dirty washing up water at certain plants with no adverse affects at all. The main thing is to be cautious with your prized plant specimens.
The other key point to remember is that your garden insecticide, although mild, may be harmful to some beneficial predator insects too. Insecticide soap is safe for many ‘helpful’ insects but is dangerous for predatory mites. These are the good guys who try to control spider mite in your garden. You must try to avoid spraying too often, and too indiscriminately or you will wipe out these beneficial insects too.
For more information on homemade insecticide products and insecticide soap visit the Safe Garden Insecticides site.
