Soapy Spray to Get Rid of Mealybugs on Plants

Insecticidal Soap

• Commercial insecticidal soaps are available for purchase at garden centers and home improvement stores and will help control sap-sucking insects like mealybugs. These products contain potassium salt of a fatty acid, which dissolves the protective coating of sap-sucking insects and interferes with the pests’ membrane functions. Insecticidal soaps are available in ready-to-use or concentrate forms. Ready-to-use formulas are sprayed directly from the bottle onto the leaves of infected plants, while concentrate solutions require mixing with water first. For example, one type of concentrate insecticidal soap recommends diluting 2.5 fluid ounces of the pesticide with 1 gallon of water before use. However, each brand will have its own instructions that you must follow for best results.

Homemade Dish Soap Spray

• Mixing 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap with 1 gallon of water will make a 1 percent solution that can control mealybugs, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension website. The dish soap used in the recipe is essential, and you should avoid dish soaps that contain bleaches or degreasers. To control mealybugs with this solution, thoroughly cover the top and underside of the infested plants’ foliage. You can repeat the treatment once a week if needed. All soap sprays must come in direct contact with the mealybug to be effective.

Homemade Shampoo Spray

• Dish soap isn’t the only item found in the home that you can use to create a homemade soap spray. Shampoo works just as well to control those annoying mealybugs infesting your plants. The University of Florida IFAS Extension website recommends using 2 tablespoons of baby shampoo mixed with 1 gallon of water. Baby shampoo is gentle and generally doesn’t contain unnecessary chemicals that can harm the plant, which makes it ideal for creating your own insecticidal soap spray. Thoroughly coat the leaves of the infested plant with the homemade shampoo spray, repeating the application weekly until the mealybugs are no longer a problem.

Considerations

• The type of water mixed with concentrate soap sprays -- both commercial and homemade -- will significantly affect how well the pesticide works. Hard water contains minerals that interfere with the soap insecticide rendering it useless against mealybugs. For maximum effectiveness, use soft water to dilute the concentrate soap solution. It is always a good idea to test a small section of the plant with the soapy pesticide before treatment since soap may cause the plant to burn. Wait for about two to three days, and, if there is no damage to the plant, continue with the treatment as planned.