Insecticidal Soap Canada
Insecticidal soaps are effective, low toxic, and safe alternatives to more toxic pesticides utilized for controlling insect infestations in your garden. It is inexpensive and leaves no harsh residues on plants and safe to be used around birds and other animals. This can also be used for vegetables until harvest time.
What Insecticidal Soap Does
This natural pesticide works by killing insects by suffocation. It works by disrupting the cellular membranes of the insects and at the same time removing the protective waxes covering the insect bodies. This results in dehydration and slowly kills the insects.
Insecticidal soaps are effective in killing thrips, aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale crawlers. It is also effective for removing sooty mould, honeydew, and other debris from leaves.
These non-toxic pesticides that are highly refined version of liquid dish soaps and are made from a potassium salt of a fatty acid derived from animal or plant oil and a strong alkali.
You can also make a DIY version, but it is not guaranteed safe for your plants. It can increase the risk of your plants getting injured because of the additives mixed in the dry dish and clothes-washing detergents.
Difference between Concentrate and RTU (Ready-To-Use)
When searching for insecticidal soaps, you will find that these are available in concentrates and RTU or ready-to-use variants. Understanding the difference between the two will help you choose which one is the better option when dealing with insect infestation in your garden.
Concentrates
Concentrated varieties have less water. It offers flexibility and economy, but you need to buy a separate pump or sprayer to use it. You need to dilute it with water and adjust the mixture depending on the strength needed for the plant that must be treated.
RTU (Ready-To-Use)
RTUs are easier to use than concentrates since it does not have to be diluted and can be used immediately. The bottles come with sprayers or flip top caps, which makes cleaning easier. The nozzles are usually adjustable so you can spray wide and cover more areas to be treated.
Insecticidal Soap Concentrates and RTUs We Recommend
At PestSupplyCanada.ca, we offer a wide range of insecticidal soaps and are available in concentrates and RTUs. Check out the following:
Green Earth Insecticidal Soap RTU 1L
This product is mild enough to be used for delicate flowers and plant stems but tough in getting rid of troublesome insects. It allows you to kill all insects infesting your plants without the use of questionable chemical pesticides.
This insecticidal soap is made of mineral/botanical ingredients and the formula is ready for immediate use.
Safers Insecticidal Soap RTU 1L
This product is made of selected soaps that are known for their contact insecticidal properties. You can directly spray this on insects or apply it on the undersides of leaves to prevent other insects are staying near your plants.
It can be used on vegetables and fruits until the day of harvesting. Just make sure that you wash your crops before eating them.
Ortho Bug B Gon Eco Insecticidal Soap RTU 1L
Made of fatty acids, this non-toxic pesticide product can be used for ornamental and shade trees, vegetables, and fruit trees. This insecticidal soap protects your plants from insects such as aphids, earwigs, mealybugs, mites, psyllids, pear and rose slugs, soft brown scales, and whiteflies.
Safers Insecticidal Soap Concentrate 500ml
This product contains potassium salts of fatty acids and only kills insects that harm your plants. It is safe for other beneficial insects like praying mantis, ladybugs, and others if it is used as instructed. It dries out the waxy outer skin of insects and can be used up to the day of harvest.
Make a diluted mixture by mixing one part of the concentrate to 50 parts of water. Spray it on your plants and insects you spot on your plants.
Ortho Bug B Gon Eco Insecticidal Soap Conc 500ml
Another product from the brand Ortho, this concentrated insecticidal soap is effective in controlling aphids, mealybugs, psyllids, spider mites, sawfly larvae, soft brown scale, and whitefly in your garden. It is formulated to control pests on contact and can be used both outdoors and indoors when used according to its label’s directions.