DOCTOR PEST INSECTICIDAL SOAP - 750mL READY-TO-USE SPRAY

INSECTICIDAL SOAP

It has 3 modes of action:
1. Inherent fish oil and castile soap smothers insect eggs and larvae
2. Kills sap-sucking soft-bodied pest insects
3. Offers broad-spectrum fungicidal control

Insecticidal soap is known as one of the safest pesticides - safe to use on most plants including edibles, ornamentals, fruit trees, roses, vegetables - and will not harm animals, beneficial insects or humans. It is made from a combination of water and soap married with an alkali component, forming potassium salts of fatty acids (soap!). Soaps can be either animal-fat based or plant based and are known as a safe natural biopesticide alternative to chemical pesticides.

Insecticidal soaps have been used for many decades, and there are various DIY recipes around. However, most can do more harm than good in that they often use harsh dish-soaps and detergents (some with fragrances and additives) that are harmful to the plant. Typically, they end up stripping the natural protective oil coating off the plant which in turn opens them up to drying, stress and more disease. Often the strength is either not sufficient to deal death to the insects targeted, or too strong which further harms the plants protective oil layer!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Insecticidal soaps work by penetrating insects' cuticles, which causes cell collapse and desiccation. In other words, the spray eats away at a bug's exoskeleton, dries them out, and results in dehydration and death, while also suffocating insects. The solution works on contact but should be reapplied roughly every 5-7 days depending on the infestation level.

INSECTS CONTROLLED

Soft-bodied sap-sucking pests - aphids, scale, whitefly, mealybugs, thrips, mites - need to be directly coated with the spray for them to be sorted. The fluid is non-residual in that once it dries off it has no effect on subsequent insects that might land on the plant to feed. So repeat applications are required!

As you are aware, these pests can bugger your vegetables and plants big time. They sap the living hell out of your plants over the spring and into the summer - and even carry on into the autumn to kill off the host plant entirely. It's a miserable existence for both the plant and gardeners who can see their loved plants wither and die! 

HOW TO USE IT

Spray plants once every 5-7 days, or sooner when there is a heavy infestation. Coat the entire plant but be sure to focus especially on the tops and undersides of the plant’s leaves and on any visible insects. Spray until the product begins to run-off.

You should see a difference by the next day. It is also wise to do a small patch test on your plant to make sure it agrees with the insecticidal soap; if you don’t see any damage after 24 hours, you are good to go. Look for signs like spotting, wrinkling, and browning on leaves. If you see any negative signs, discontinue the use of the product, or reduce spray intervals.

Applying it early in the morning or late in the evening is recommended to prevent potential phytotoxicity, and also to avoid beneficial pollinators.
Insecticidal soap is generally effective only when it remains wet on the plant surface. While it’s wet, the soap targets soft-bodied insects by penetrating their cell membranes and dehydrating them, which leads to death.

Once the soap dries, its insecticidal properties are no longer active, and it becomes far less likely to impact insects. This is why reapplication is sometimes recommended after rain, as the product may wash away and reduce effectiveness if it hasn’t had time to work while wet. For those concerned about non-target insects on the ground, dried insecticidal soap residue is less harmful and generally safe, as it loses its ability to affect insect cell membranes once it’s no longer in liquid form.

ANTI-FUNGAL 

Insecticidal soap is widely acknowledged for its anti-fungal properties; in fact it is authorised for use in the USA as a certified organic treatment for fungal diseases like powdery mildew - especially for vegetables and roses. Hence its use as an organic solution has a two-pronged benefit: 

• Disrupts and kills the vector sap-suckering insects that are the cause of most fungal and bacterial infections

• Controls the resultant infections