In this post, we teach you how to use soapy water to fight aphids, scale insects, thrips, spiders and other larvae. Note that beneficial insects can also die, so use this only on infested plants. Spray the plant every other day until the aphids are dead, then shower the plant with plain water to get rid of the soap. Read below for more instructions and information.
Last edited on May 20, 2024
You can usesoapy water to combat aphids, scale insects, thrips, spiders and other larvae. Note that other insects also die, i.e. even beneficial insects. So, use this only on infested plants.
Spray the plant every other day until the aphids are dead. Then you can shower the plant with just plain water to get rid of the soap.
Soap is NOT toxic so what is it that kills the aphids?
The fat in the soap is distributed over the aphids and they are suffocated by the fat covering them. This is the reason why the aphids die. It is therefore important that you use as oily a soap as possible, Västerbottens soap or linseed oil soap.
Now that you know how it worked, you've probably already figured out that it's completely unnecessary to add anything other than water and soap to the mixture. The fat in the soap is what you need. Spirits, vinegar or bicarbonate are therefore NOT needed.
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Questions and Answers
How often should you spray the plant withsoapy water ?
Spray the plant every other day until the aphids are dead.
What is it in the soap that kills the aphids?
It is the fat inthe soap that suffocates the aphids by covering them.
Do I need to add something else to the soapy water mixture to control aphids?
No, you just need water and soap. Spirits, vinegar or bicarbonate are not needed.