Soapy Water Pesticide

zenwarrior

Is the application of this solution recommended for regular use as a preventative as well as a treatment? If so, how often? Any help would be appreciated.

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krlix

Hey Zenwarrior,

With regards to the Soapy water pesticide, i am not too sure. I will look it up on the net, or do my best for you. If it can be used as a preventative that would be really handy.

I will try and find some info on it and post back
krlix

FlyBri

Gday folks!

Not having ever used pesticides on my trees, I might not be the best person to comment... Having said that, it is my understanding that the soapy water method kills insects by getting into their breathing holes and drowning/suffocating them. As such, it is only useful if applied during infestation. I'd also be wary of application too often, as surfactants of any description - soapy water included - may remove the protective waxy coating that is present on the foliage of many plants.

Once again, this is from one with no experience with insecticides on Bonsai, and I have been known to put my foot in my mouth before...

Good luck.

FlyBri.

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PatArizona

G'day Zen...

I'm not at all sure that the "soap" would do you any good for prevention.

Further, I am of the school that thinks that preventative spraying is GENERALLY a waste of money and time...and, you will likely "prevent" a lot of "good pests".

My approach to pest control goes something like this...
Intro: Always use the mildest spray solution that is appropriate for your pest,
and always be sure to spray the under side of branches. Keep in mind that it's
never a bad time to talk with your County Extention representative.
1. First and foremost, identify the pest.
2. Next, if appropriate for your particular pest, or if you have any question about
appropriateness, give the infected tree(s) a stiff spraying of just plain water.
3. Next, if appropriate for your particular pest, or if you have any question about
appropriateness, spray with the soap solution.
4. Only if steps 2 and 3 don't work, move on to the mildest pesticide that is
appropriate for your tree (Read the label).
5. Repeat step 4 if necessary.
For some pests, the treatment may have to be repeated several times. Again,
Read the label!

If the above process doesn't work, lake 3 steps back and punt!!!

NO! NO! NO! Talk with your County Extention representative.

Hope this helps.

Pat

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tuckerg

when treating trees for bugs,i use soapy water with some pesticide mixed in,made up with warm water.the warm soapy water will help penetrate the waxy coating of the pests,like wooly aphid and scale,and the pesticide will kill the bugs.

Newt

I do not spray for preventive measures, only when I have a problem. I have been useing Carl Rosners mix this year with good success. The key is to remember to spray 3 times about a week apart. Many times I will spray and kill the infestation then forget about it and next thing I know the eggs have hatched and I have another infestation (allong with more eggs). So the key with this type of treatment is repeated use.

The mix is: in a 1 gallon jug mix 2 tablespoons dishsoap, 1 tablespoon vegtible oil (I have substituted Neem oil as well, either will do the trick) and mix well. Next fill a spray bottle with the solution. When you are ready to use add two capfulls of rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will evaporate so you need to add it every time you spray.

With aphids it not only smothers them but the alcohol sucks all the juices out and you are left with a black shell/body.

I have had no trouble with my plants after the treatment (other than the damage the bugs caused).

Thanks Carl!!!

Newt

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Aaron_K

Hi Zen,

As others have rightly said, soapy water is essentially a treatment for when you have an insect infestation, not a preventative. As soap is strong alkaline, you don't really want it and the chemicals contained therein to keep dripping into the soil, as prolonged exposure won't do the roots any favours.

The best thing really is to get a systemic pesticide that the tree absorbs. That way the little buggers will die before they can munch their way through the best part of your foliage. Using the two in tandem would be a good idea.

Failing that, you could was go at them Schwarzenegger stylee and blast them off with the hose.

All the best,

Arnie... er I mean Aaron

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