Garden Safe Brand Insecticidal Soap Insect Killer is a ready-to-use pest control solution for organic gardening. It controls bugs through contact, including aphids, mealybugs, mites, leafhoppers, psyllids, scale insects, thrips, whiteflies and other listed pests. Insecticidal soap, like Safer® Brand Insect Killing Soap is a true soap. It is made by reacting potassium hydroxide with long chain fatty acids. Fatty acids are made from fats. These soaps have been specially formulated to be effective insecticides while at the same time doing very little damage to most plants.

Insecticidal soap is used to control many plant insect pests. Soap has been used for more than 200 years as an insect control.^[1] Because insecticidal soap works on direct contact with pests via the disruption of cell membranes when the insect is penetrated with fatty acids, the insect's cells leak their contents causing the insect to dehydrate and die.^[2] Insecticidal soap is sprayed on plants in a way so the entire plant is saturated for it is found that the insecticidal properties of soap occurs when the solution is wet.^[3] Soaps have a low mammalian toxicity ^[4][5] and are therefore considered safe to be used around children and pets, and may be used in organic farming^[6].

Composition[edit]

Insecticidal soap's active ingredient is most often a potassium salt of fatty acids.^[1] Insecticidal soap should be based on long-chain fatty acids (10–18 carbon atoms),^[7] because shorter-chain fatty acids tend to be damaging for the plant (phytotoxicity) [citation needed]. Short (8-carbon) fatty-acid chains occur for example in coconut oil and palm oil and soaps based on those oils [citation needed]. 'Green Soap' is a potassium/coconut oil soap .. [that] has also been shown to be effective, as an unlabeled insecticide, in controlling soft-bodied insects including aphids'.^[3] Recommended concentrations of insecticidal soap are typically in the range 1–2 percent soap mixed with water.^[8][9][10] One manufacturer recommends a concentration of 0.06% to 0.25% (pure soap equivalent)[ what is pure soap!?] for most agricultural applications.;^[4][11] another one^[5] recommends concentrations of 0.5 to 1% pure soap equivalent. In the European Union, fatty acid potassium salts are registered and allowed as insecticide^[12] at a 2% concentration.^[13]

Insecticidal soap is most effective if it is dissolved in soft water, since the fatty acids in soap tend to precipitate in hard water, thereby reducing the effectivity.^[7][4]

Insecticidal soap is sold commercially for aphid control. Labels on these products may not always use the word soap, but they will list 'potassium salts of fatty acids' or 'potassium laurate' as the active ingredient. Certain types of household soaps (not synthetic detergents,^[7] ) are also suitable, but it may be difficult to tell the composition and water content from the label. Potassium-based soaps are typically soft or liquid.

Mechanism of action[edit]

The mechanism of action is not exactly understood.^[7] Possible mechanisms are:^[7][14]

• Soap, which enters via the insect's trachea, may disrupt cell membranes, resulting in the cell contents leaking from the damaged cells (cytolysis).
• Soap may dissolve the wax layer on the cuticle ('skin'), which leads to water loss by evaporation.
• Soap may block breathing openings or trachea, which leads to suffocation.
• Soap may interfere with growth hormones.
• Soap may affect insect metabolism.

Affected organisms[edit]

Insecticidal soap works best on soft-bodied insects and arthropods such as^[8][4]aphids, adelgids,mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, jumping plant lice, scale insects, whiteflies, and sawfly larvae. It can also be used for caterpillars and leafhoppers, but these large-bodied insects can be more difficult to control with soaps alone. Many pollinators and predatory insects such as lady beetles, bumblebees, and hoverflies are relatively unaffected. However, soap will kill predatory mites that may help control spider mites.^[8][15] Also, the soft-bodied aphid-eating larvae of lady beetles, lacewing, and hoverflies may be affected negatively. According to one study^[15] a single soap application killed about 15% of lacewing and lady-beetle larvae, and about 65% of predatory mites (Amblyseius andersoni).

Green peach aphids are difficult to control^[16] since they reproduce quickly (one adult female can deposit up to four nymphs per day) because they tend to reside under the leaves and in leaf axils ('leaf armpits'), where they may not be wetted by a soap spray. Manufacturers^[4][5] indeed state that their insecticidal soaps are only suitable for controlling green peach aphids if used in combination with another insecticide, whereas the same soaps can control other aphids on their own. Among green peach aphids that are in contact with a 2% soap solution, around 95% of the adults and 98% of nymphs die within 48 hours.^[16] At 0.75% concentration, the mortality rates are reduced to 75% and 90%, respectively.

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Since 2011, insecticidal soap has also been approved in the United States for use against powdery mildew.^[4][5] In the European pesticide registration, its use as an insecticide is listed for aphids, white fly, and spider mites.^[13] At different concentrations, it may also be used against algae and moss.^[13]

Use[edit]

Insecticidal soap solution will only kill pests on contact; it has no residual action against aphids that arrive after it has dried. Therefore, the infested plants must be thoroughly wetted. Repeated applications may be necessary to adequately control high populations of pests.

Soap spray may damage plants, especially at higher concentrations or at temperatures above 32 °C (90 °F).^[9][10] Plant injury may not be apparent until two days after application. Some plant species are particularly sensitive to soap sprays. Highly sensitive plants include:^[4]horse chestnut, Japanese maple (Acer), Sorbus aucuparia (mountain ash), Cherimoya fruit, Lamprocapnos (bleeding heart), and sweet pea. Other sensitive plants are, for example:^[10][4]Portulaca, some tomato varieties, Crataegus (hawthorn), cherries, plum, Adiantum (maidenhair fern), Euphorbia milii (crown of thorns), Lantana camara, Tropaeolum (nasturtium), Gardenia jasminoides, Lilium longiflorum (Easter lily). Conifers under (drought) stress or with tender new growth are sensitive as well.

Damage may occur as yellow or brown spotting on the leaves, burned tips, or leaf scorch. Plants under drought stress, young transplants, unrooted cuttings and plants with soft young growth tend to be more sensitive. Sensitivity may be tested on a small portion of a plant or plot before a full-scale application.

One manufacturer recommends that applications are done with 7- to 14-day intervals, with a maximum of three applications,^[4] as repeated applications may aggravate phytotoxicity. In addition, water conditioning agents can increase phytotoxicity.^{[citation needed]}

Thanks to its low mammalian toxicity, application of insecticidal soap is typically allowed up to the day of harvest.^[4][5]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^ ^abCranshaw, W.S. (2008). 'Insect Control: Soaps and Detergents: Fact Sheet'. Colorado State University: Extension. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
2. ^Oregon State University, National Pesticide Information Centre (NPIC) (2001). 'Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids: General Fact Sheet'(PDF). Retrieved 4 December 2019.
3. ^ ^abCloyd, Raymond A. (2018). ''Soaps' and Detergents: Should They Be Used on Roses?'. American Rose Society. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
4. ^ ^abcdefghijPesticide product label for Super insecticidal soap concentrate. US Environmental protection agency, July 2011.
5. ^ ^abcdePesticide product label for M-Pede insecticide miticide fungicide. US Environmental protection agency, July 2011.
6. ^^{[citation needed]}
7. ^ ^abcde“Soaps” and Detergents: Should They Be Used on Roses? R.A. Cloyd, American Rose Society (2018).
8. ^ ^abcInsect Control: Soaps and Detergents. W.S. Cranshaw, University of Colorado. March 2008.
9. ^ ^abAphids: Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardeners and Landscape Professionals. M.L. Flint, University of California Davis, July 2013.
10. ^ ^abcInsecticidal Soaps for Garden Pest Control. J. D. Ubl, Clemson University, July 2009.
11. ^According to the Super insecticidal soap concentrate label above: 0.5 pint of a 25% concentrate per 25 gallons = 0.06%.
12. ^Fatty acids C7 to C20Archived 2015-04-19 at the Wayback Machine. EU-database voor pesticides.
13. ^ ^abcReview report for the active substance Fatty Acids C7 to C20Archived 2015-04-19 at the Wayback Machine. Europese Commissie (2013).
14. ^Insecticidal Soaps - Modes of Action (video). L.L. Keeley (20 Aug 2013).
15. ^ ^abToxicity of biopesticides to green apple aphid, predatory insects and mite in an apple-tree orchard. L. Raudonis et al., Zemdirbyste-Agriculture, vol. 97, No. 1 (2010), p. 49–54.
16. ^ ^abToxicity effects of an insecticidal soap on the green peach aphidArchived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. E. Tremblay et al., Phytoprotection 90: 35-39 (2009).

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Garden plants are prone to all sorts of pests. Because you will be eating the fruits and vegetables produced by your garden, you should avoid treating them with harsh chemicals. Following a few simple recipes with some household items will help keep your garden plants safe from pests and your produce ready to eat.

Dawn Liquid Detergent

A solution of Dawn liquid detergent and water works as a safe, effective homemade insecticidal soap recipe. Use about 1 1/2 tsp. of Dawn per 1 quart water. This formula works best after the plant has been cleaned. Take a strong spraying water bottle and spray the plant with water. Soak the undersides of leaves as well as the fruit or vegetable. Fill another spray bottle with the Dawn and water mixture and spray the plant, concentrating on the leafy areas and stem. You can lightly spray the fruit but avoid any spraying on days that are windy, humid or extremely hot. You may want to test a small section of this recipe on your plant's leaf just to be sure that type of plant does not find the mixture toxic. After the solution is applied, it should remove and prevent leafhoppers, aphids, whiteflies and mites. It has very low if any toxicity and should not harm your pets if they come into contact with it or accidentally ingest it.

Isopropyl Alcohol

Generic isopropyl alcohol mixed with the Dawn liquid detergent and water solution will attack and kill scales. The alcohol mixture seeps into the skin of adult scales and kills them soon after contact. You can add 1 cup alcohol to the 1 quart water with the 1 1/2 tsp. Dawn. This recipe works well for indoor and outdoor plants. Apply it to the top and bottom of leaves every three days for no longer than two weeks. When you treat indoor plants with this mixture, bring the plant outdoors to avoid spraying household items.

If you have plants that you need to bring indoors in the winter, change the alcohol solution to 3 Tbsp. isopropyl alcohol, 1 tsp. Dawn and 1 quart warm water. Combine the liquids into a large spray bottle and spray the top and bottom of all leaves. Allow the solution to sit for three minutes and thoroughly wipe each leaf clean with a wet cloth. Let the plant sit outdoors to dry before bringing it inside for the winter.

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