Using soap to kill insects isn't as simple as it seems. Today we go through the ins and outs of what makes soap an appropriate insecticide and what to avoid.

References:

Fundamentals of Using Soaps as Insecticides by Dr. Raymond Cloyd https://blogs.k-state.edu/kansasbugs/2020/06/12/fundamentals-of-using-soaps-as-insecticides/

Insecticidal Soap Written byPaul Pugliese. Growing & Mowing in Bartow County March 4, 2024 https://site.extension.uga.edu/bartow/insecticidal-soap/

The Use of Horticultural Oils and Insecticidal Soaps For Control of Insect Pests of Amenity Plants Fredric D. Miller Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF) November 1989, 15 (11) 257-262; DOI: https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1989.055 https://auf.isa-arbor.com/content/15/11/257

Horticultural oils and soaps play important roles in reducing pest pressure and lowering risks for a biological control program. https://www.nurserymag.com/article/compatible--tools/

Insecticidal Soaps for Garden Pest Control Factsheet | HGIC 2771 | Updated: Jul 30, 2021 https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/insecticidal-soaps-for-garden-pest-control/

Soap Sprays as Insecticides Published on: June 17, 2015 By Scott Oneto, Farm Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension

UC Master Gardener Program Statewide Blog News and updates from the statewide UC Master Gardener Program office. https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=18009 Insect Control: Soaps and Detergents – 5.547

by W.S. Cranshaw 1 1Colorado State University Extension entomologist and professor, bioagricultural sciences and pest management. 12/96. Reviewed 3/08. https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/insect-control-soaps-and-detergents-5-547/

Coming clean on soap in the garden September 22, 2023 Author: Marissa Schuh, Extension educator, integrated pest management Reviewed by Julie Weisenhorn Extension educator, horticulture https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/coming-clean-soap-garden#sources-2944060