If you love to garden without pesky bugs, these DIY Insecticidal Soap Recipes for Garden are a perfect way to keep your plants safe.
These non-toxic solutions can wipe out the problem of garden bugs without causing much harm to the rest of your yard. Know everything about DIY Insecticidal Soap Recipes for the Garden!
Learn about Making Insecticidal Soap at Home here
How Does Insecticidal Soap Kill Pests?
Insecticidal soaps contain fatty acids as the active ingredient, also called soap salts. They are formed when the fatty portions combine together to form a strong alkali compound. Quite potent in killing soft-bodied garden bugs such as mites, mealybugs, and aphids on contact, insecticidal soap is most effective when applied to well-hydrated plants.
Find out the Benefits of Castile Soap here
DIY Insecticidal Soap Recipes for Garden
You can use any mild liquid soap, like a dawn dish or dishwashing liquid. You can also go for castile soap or any other washing liquid detergent.
1. Simple Insecticidal Soap Solution
Mix 1-2 tablespoons of liquid soap in a liter of water. Shake well before use and spray directly where you spot the pests.
This solution works best on soft-bodies pests and can be helpful to repel larger critters like hornworms, slugs, and snails to quite an extent.
Learn the Best Soap Uses in Home and Garden here
2. Liquid Soap + Oil
The Volcani Institute, a Ministry of Agriculture Agricultural Research Organization, Israel has proven the potency of vegetable oils as an alternative to market-based pesticides that disrupt the organic nature of vegetables.
Add 10 ml of any cooking oil, such as vegetable, corn, soybean, sunflower, or peanut, and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap in a liter of water. Ensure the soap does not contain bleach or anything similar that can harm your plants.
Mix well and spray where you spot the pest infestation. Repeat it once every 2-3 weeks till you get rid of the problem completely.
Find out the Top Olive Oil Uses in the Garden here
3. Red Pepper + Soap Solution
Studies prove the efficacy of hot pepper extracts against effective against soft-bodies pests such as aphids on vegetable plants.
Mix 2 teaspoons of liquid soap in 1 liter of warm water. Now, add a small teaspoon of red pepper powder and shake well. Spray the solution where you spot the pesky pests to kill them instantly.
Learn How to Get Rid of Flies Naturally here
4. Vinegar + Garlic Powder + Soap
Mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar, 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder, and 1-2 teaspoons of insecticidal soap into 1-liter warm water. Make sure to shake it well before spraying it on plants.
For best results, use wood vinegar—highly effective against whiteflies. Also, garlic extract is scientifically proven as a biopesticide against cotton aphids.
This concoction will help you eliminate powdery mildew, aphids, and spider mites.
Check out some Clever Vinegar Uses in the Garden here
5. Isopropyl Alcohol + Soap
Isopropyl alcohol, a component of rubbing alcohol, is a non-toxic option, potent to repel garden pests. Do remember, that it is more effective in destroying the larvae of insects and is better used as a pest repellent.
Add 1 teaspoon each of generic isopropyl alcohol and insecticidal soap in 500ml of water. Shake well and use it to get rid of scales in the garden.
Learn the Rubbing Alcohol Uses for Plants here
6. Neem Oil + Aloe Gel + Soap
The composition of limonoids in neem oil is highly efficient against 90% of pests and is the best alternative to chemical pesticides due to its anti-fungal properties.
Add 10-12 drops of neem oil and 1 small teaspoon of insecticidal soap in a liter of water, along with a spoon full of aloe gel. Shake well and use it as a spray to get rid of most of the garden pests.
Find out the Best Neem Oil Uses in the Garden here
7. Milk + Soap
Combine 3-5 tablespoons of milk with 2 teaspoons insecticidal soap in 1 liter of warm water. Now, shake well and apply this solution directly onto plants.
Cow milk is scientifically proven against aphids, thrips, spider mites, and thrips. Also, it is potent in fighting powdery mildew and mosaic leaf viruses.
Find out some Science-Backed Milk Benefits in the Garden here
Quick Tips
- You should always consider testing any DIY solutions at home for your plants in a smaller area. If you notice any signs of damage like withering, browning, or such, stop the use immediately.
- Avoid using hard water as it can also reduce the effectiveness of the insecticidal soap and may cause deposits on the leaves. Use bottled water instead.
