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Cacti & Succulents

Insecticide Soap...

8 years ago

I want to treat my plants before I bring them in for the Winter, as I mentioned in another one of my threads. I had an aphid infestation on my E. Black Prince and have been battling mealy bugs all summer. Mostly they have just been here or there one at a time and I was able to take care of it right away, with the exception of one of my Sempervivum pots.

I was wondering what everyone thinks of insecticide soap. Like this one for example. It says it contains about 50% of potassium salts from fatty acids and will take care of all of my issues.

I mostly want to use this to ensure nothing travels inside with me in a month or so. I won't be checking on my plants as often and they will be together in tighter clumps around the house. I don't want to pull back my blinds and find huge mealy's all over my plants.

I really try to avoid harmful pesticides when treating my plants. Imidacloprid has been suggested and I have seen a couple other people that use it. I really don't want to use this product because of its association with killing bees and other beneficial insects.

I don't want to get into a discussion as to why or why not we should be using the group of pesticides known as neons on our succulents and for what purposes. I want to discuss insecticide soap; have you used it, did it work, is it safe for succulents, does it have any side effects, what the heck potassium salts from fatty acids are, etc.

Thanks!

-Erica

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Comments (4)

wantonamara Z8 CenTex
8 years ago
It will work on some bugs but not others. I am not sure how it does as a soil drench. You might want to ad some orange oil to it and then it will work as a soil drench for ants.
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
8 years ago
Not a chemist - so can't tell what all the ingredients are. If you want to know exactly, search would most likely get you scientific explanation.

I have used it in the past; can't tell you what kind of results you should expect since your infestation seems to be quite high. As for aphids, I am sure you know that most often it is advised to spray them off. May not be enough, and how much water would one want to use on succulents? Mara has good advice regarding ants - they 'farm' aphids, so need to be eliminated too.

I use alcohol spray on just about anything and so far - so good. Hopefully it will stay that way, as I have more plants every year - bigger chance of infestation.

From the info on the Safer's:
- Does not kill beneficial insects and can be used up until the day of harvest
- OMRI Listed and compliant for use in organic gardening
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Insecticidal soap and Neem oil only work on contact. They will kill any soft bodied insect. Ants are not considered a soft bodied insect and that's why it does not work on them. From the document linked below: What is Insecticidal Soap? All soaps are made of salts and fatty acids, but not all soaps are good for killing insects. Some soaps can be highly destructive to plants and are useful as herbicides. Insecticidal soaps, however, are specifically formulated to kill insect pests while having few adverse effects to people, plants and the environment. Insects must come in contact with the soap before it dries in order to be controlled. Therefore, thorough coverage to both tops and bottoms of leaves is essential. Do not apply insecticidal soaps directly to water or use near a water source. Multiple applications are needed to control most insects. Hard water is not effective for mixing soap sprays, so use softened or distilled water for best results. Read on for more info like this. Here is a link that might be useful: Insecticidal Soap
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Get one of the inexpensive hand pump or compression sprayers. These are what I use and they are work perfectly and are easy to use. And regardless of whether you are practicing organic methods or not, it is advised to have a sprayer dedicated to a specific purpose - insecticides in one, fungicides or fertilizers in separate sprayers, and if you use them at all, herbicides MUST have their own.
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Just guessing, but perhaps there are few a lessons to learn - - Make certain the plants are thoroughly moist before spraying with anything. - Temperatures matter - how hot or cold was it? - Dosage matters -- Did you follow label directions as to how much per gallon? - Plants grown indoors are very sensitive to sprays of any kind.
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Plantspace (5a)
8 years ago
I use this on my orchids and keeps them for the most part bug free. The only succulent I've had to use this on thus far are my jade plants and they've had no ill effects from it.

I remember reading that a plant grower was using a spray made up of this, I havent tried it yet

Insecticide thread

Organic Insecticide Recipe

16 oz mister. Filled with water and clove of garlic the night before spraying.

1 cap filled FE.
2-drops of dish soap.
Hot Pepper. 1 teas.
Rubbing Alcohol. 1/4-teas.
Lemon..1 Tbsp.
Listerine/generic 1 teas.

Actually, all ingredients except FE can be added the night before spraying.
Before use, shake thoroughly.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
8 years ago
The potassium salts from fatty acids are the soap in insecticidal soap. Not ever recommended as a soil drench as it tends to coat roots inhibiting their functions. Since insecticidal soap is cheap enough, I'd suggest buying rather than making your own.
Potasium salt info.

tj

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