Amy, so glad to hear you advocate soaping the wick. When I worked in greenhouses/florists etc, one of the hints I learned was that bugs won't eat a plant that "tastes" bad. And to bugs,,,,soap is yucky.

It also breaks any surface soil tension and facilitates water uptake. I have given this hint to many people and boy have I gotten looks. Then they reach for the chemical solution. Try simple first is my motto!

Hope this old fashioned hint helps everyone! Rosie