How to Use Dawn Soap for Insect Control

Dawn dish soap is known for its ability to cut grease and has been used in a number of applications outside of dish washing, such as cleaning up animals in oil spills and to control insects. Soaps are effective non-toxic pesticides that cover the body of an insect and cause it to dehydrate and die. Use dawn soap to control insects in your garden and prevent harmful pests such as aphids and mites from devouring your plants.

Bowl
Vegetable oil
Spray bottle

Instructions

- 1
  Mix together in a bowl 2 cups lukewarm water, 1 cup vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of Dawn dish soap. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
- 2
  Spray a small area of the plants with an even layer of the soap mixture. Wait two days. Return to the plant and inspect it for damage. Some plants are sensitive to soaps and can be harmed by their application.
- 3
  Spray the plants with the soap solution, applying an even layer of the spray over the plant's leaves -- both top and bottom -- and the stems early in the evening, when the solution will not dry up fast in the sun. Spray enough of the solution onto the plant to completely soak it so that any insects that are present are completely covered with it. Reapply the soap solution every seven days.

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