Safe ways to keep bugs off plants?
Question:Someone told me that spraying plants with soapy water keeps bugs off plants, unfortunately, she didn't know aything else about it, she had just seen it on a tv show. Is this true, and what kind of soap (dish, laundry, etc...), and what ratio of soap to water should I use?
Answers:
.This works for many types of bugs just use a few drops of dish soap in a regular size spray bottle. Respray after heavy rain.
Dish soap-just a drop in a spray bottle and fill the rest with water.
You could also wash the leaves with lemon or vinigar, about a 1/4 cup to a gallon of water.
half cup dead insects(more the merrier) 1 tbsp liquid dish soap, 1 tbsp of cayenne pepper, 2 cups of water. Put all ingredients in blender and puree' the heck out of them. Strain out the pulp using cheesecloth or pantyhose. Dilute the remaining brew 1/4 to 1 cup of water. Apply with a sprayer till it runs on flowers, vegetables and shrubs
My understanding from a master gardener is that Ivory dish soap (a squirt or two) in a spray bottle with warm water works well. I can say that it's kept the bug off my rhubarb this year.
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