There’s no need to reach for toxic commercial sprays at the first sign of aphids on your lettuce leaves. Most sprays (yes, even the organic ones) are not 100% safe for pollinators and other beneficial insects.
This simple homemade insecticidal soap is easy to mix, quick to apply, and super effective against soft-bodied pests. Plus, it’s safe for most pollinators, so it should be your first spray of choice when many of the most common vegetable garden pests attack.
Made of just dish soap and water, this spray makes a simple natural pesticide that can replace harsh chemical pesticides that are harmful to wildlife and the environment.
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WHICH PESTS DOES THIS SOAPY SPRAY TARGET?
A simple spray made with just mild soap diluted in water is surprisingly effective against soft-bodied pests like aphids. It works by breaking down their protective outer coating when it comes into direct contact. The caveat here is the spray only works while wet, so it will need to be reapplied every couple of days.
Dish soap sprays are effective against:
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Spider mites
- Thrips
- Whiteflies
This spray can also work on smaller pests like flea beetles by dehydrating their exoskeletons. When used correctly, soapy water can reduce these pest populations without any harsh chemicals. Just keep in mind it won’t be effective against larger pests like Japanese beetles and caterpillars.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS BEFORE YOU SPRAY
There are a couple of good hygiene steps to take before you reach for any kind of spray, even one that’s mild and organic. In some cases, following through with these steps can take care of your pest problem without even needing to spray.
Just follow these simple steps at the first sign of pest pressure:
Step 1: Remove Visible Pests
Large pests like caterpillars are easy enough to remove by hand and toss into a bowl of soapy water. With smaller pests like aphids and whiteflies, you have two options. You can use your gloved hand to squish them on the leaf. Or you can give the leaves of the plant a hard soak with the water hose.
Repeat this step as often as possible, preferably every day.
Step 2: Prune Affected Leaves
After removing as many pests as possible, it’s then a good idea to remove any leaves with visible pest damage. Toss these leaves into the trash instead of your compost pile.
Avoid pruning more than a third of the plant at one time. If the majority of the plant has been affected, it may be best to pull that plant from the garden and start fresh.
Step 3: Assess
The final step before spraying is just to pause and assess what’s happening in your garden. Are ladybug larvae prowling the leaves, searching for aphid snacks? Is the problem contained to one plant in your garden? Is the plant nearing the end of its time in the garden anyway?
I always like to consider whether spraying is really necessary or if there’s a gentler approach I could try first.
TIPS TO APPLY DIY PESTICIDES THE RIGHT WAY
Even mild, organic sprays can cause harm to your plants or to beneficial insects if misused. At the very least, they’ll just be ineffective. That’s why it’s important to apply the right product at the right time in the right place.
So keep these tips in mind when you’re ready to spray:
Spray in Early Morning or Late Evening
You risk scorching the leaves of your plants if you apply a product too heavily under direct sunlight. The best time to spray is early morning or late evening. This is also the time when bees and other beneficial insects are less active. If rain’s in the forecast, wait until the rain has passed before you spray.
Use Sprays Sparingly
Even the most mild of soap sprays can break down the waxy layer that protects a plant’s leaves. Only spray plants that are suffering pest pressure to avoid causing unnecessary plant stress.
Patch Test First
Some plants are more sensitive to soap than others. Test a small area to see how it tolerates the spray. Wait at least 24 hours before applying the insecticide more thoroughly.
Know What Beneficial Insects Look Like
Some garden “good guys” look a lot like pests. Ladybug larvae, for example, look nothing like the cute little beetles you’re used to! It’s always a good idea to take a picture of insects you find on your plants and do a reverse image search. If you’ve ID’d a beneficial insect, avoid spraying when they’re present to protect their numbers.
Skip Big Brand Dish Soaps
Dawn and Palmolive have their place in your home, but keep them out of your garden. While we refer to them as dish “soap”, they’re actually detergents. That might seem irrelevant, but it matters. Detergents are made from concentrated chemical compounds called surfactants, while true soap is made from natural oils and fats. Surfactants will linger in your garden soil for a long time, which you don’t want.
Keep reading to learn which biodegradable dish soap I recommend for use in your vegetable garden.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN DISH SOAP SPRAY
Ingredients & Supplies
- 1–2 teaspoons mild liquid soap without bleach, degreasers, or detergents added (my go-to is Dr. Bronner’s peppermint castile soap)
- 1 quart (32 ounces) water
- A clean, empty spray bottle
Directions for Use
- Dilute soap with water in a spray bottle. Avoid adding more soap than directed. (It’ll clog your sprayer—speaking from experience here.)
- Spray directly onto targeted pests. Avoid getting spray on the plant as much as possible.
- Reapply every 3 to 5 days as needed.
If you’ve stuck with true soap and diluted it properly, you shouldn’t need to rinse the spray off your plants after an application. That being said, you could always give your leaves a quick rinse if you notice remaining soap residue.
I wait a couple weeks to see if my trusty castile soap spray takes care of the pest issue before I consider moving onto something stronger like Captain Jacks Insecticidal Soap. In most cases, removing the pests, pruning, and spraying soapy water restores my garden to a happy balance. There may be a few pests remaining, but there are also plenty of beneficial insects buzzing around, as well.
If, however, the pest pressure is building, you might consider using something a little stronger (but still organic), or just remove the affected plants.
MORE NATURAL PEST CONTROL TIPS FOR YOUR GARDEN
Believe it or not, the most effective form of pest control is not a spray. It’s prevention. Keeping your garden overall healthy and adding some simple physical barriers to keep pests out go a long way in preventing heavy pest infestations.
So even if you’ve got your dish soap spray all mixed up and ready to go, keep these tips in mind, as well:
- Check on your garden daily so you can stop small issues from becoming big problems.
- Companion planting is nature’s ultimate pest control. Grow aromatic herbs and flowers next to vulnerable crops to help protect them from pests.
- Cover your garden beds in garden mesh or floating row covers to block access to your garden. This works for pests large and small.
- Plant a variety of flowers and flowering herbs like dill to attract tons of beneficial insects to your garden. These insects can eat thousands of common pests like aphids and mealybugs each and every day.
- Maintain healthy soil to nourish your plants and support robust growth. Strong plants are much better able to fend off pest attacks than weak, struggling ones.
- Water your garden regularly. Thirsty plants are a magnet for pests.
- READ MORE ORGANIC PEST CONTROL TIPS HERE.
I hope this DIY organic pest spray works for you! We’re working on more natural pest control posts, so let us know what’s bugging you in the comments below.
