Apply soap or oil sprays in the early morning or late evening to reduce drying times for more effective insect pest control. Since soaps and oils work on contact, an effective application must coat both the upper and lower leaf surfaces as well as stems for best results. See sensitive plant lists in HGIC 2771, Insecticidal Soaps for Garden Pest Control. Some plants are sensitive to oil or insecticidal soap sprays. Soaps and oils are now readily available and relatively inexpensive.īoth soaps and oils can cause damage to plants if applied when plants are water-stressed, temperatures are above 90 ☏, sprayed in direct sunlight, or when high humidity prevents rapid drying. It is difficult for pests to develop resistance to oils and soaps. They control a wide range of common soft-bodied pests, including aphids, mealybugs, thrips, whiteflies, mites, and scales. They are virtually non-toxic to humans and other mammals and are relatively safe to beneficial insects in the landscape. Insecticidal soaps and oils have a number of advantages for controlling insects. Choose the products with “caution” on the label, as they are least apt to harm the user and the environment. All pesticide products have a toxicity signal word on the label, which will be “caution”, “warning”, or “danger”. Some “organic” or natural pesticides are as toxic, or even more toxic, than some synthetic pesticides. All pesticides should be evaluated before selection for level of toxicity, effectiveness, environmental impacts, and costs. While “organic” insecticides are often less damaging to the environment than conventional insecticides, they are still pesticides. Still, others, such as bait stations, minimize human exposure to the pesticide. Some are very pest specific and do little or no damage to other organisms. Many break down rapidly and do not accumulate in the body or environment. Generally, they should pose less risk to human and environmental health than conventional insecticides. Insecticides may be considered less toxic for several reasons. Although all pesticides are by their nature toxic in some way to some organisms, there are now a number of “less toxic” pesticide options. If pesticide use is deemed necessary for control of the pest problem, it is good practice to use the least toxic pesticide that will do the job effectively. In this case, a pesticide may be considered. While a good pest management plan will start with preventative, cultural, and other non-chemical methods, these are sometimes not completely effective on their own.

Risk using insecticides and pesticides