Annabel wrote:

"Chris Hogg" wrote in message
...
Would some kind person admit me to the mysteries of using soft soap as
a mild insecticide?

What constitutes soft soap in this context? I presume washing-up
liquid isn't appropriate. Do I have to cut a chunk of a piece of
'Knight's Castile' or 'Imperial Leather'? Is soap for washing clothes
the right stuff such as Persil or Lux?

How much soap should I add to how much water (grams/litre,
ounces/gallon or whatever)?

How does it work? I've seen one suggestion that it clogs the breathing
tubes of the insects as it dries. Another explanation is that it
simply lowers the surface tension of the water and this then fills the
breathing tubes, so they effectively drown.

All advice gratefully received.


--
Chris

E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net

I feel that I must point out here a discussion that ( I think Monty
Don ) had with an "expert". It included a discourse about soft soap that
Monty was using and the expert pointed out to him that it is not in the
least selective. He said that he hadn't though of that and I bet not
many other people have either.

Bel

No, its not selective but its *relativley* harmless to bees, ladybirds,
etc by comparison to other equivalent products.

Come to think of it I can't think offhand of aphid selective
insecticides that are at an equivalent level to soft soap for domestic
use..

As with all pesticides, follow the instructions on the packet.
//
Jim