INSECT CONTROL RECIPE
Early Spring Insect Soap Spray
A gentler soap spray timed for the first pests of the season, when new growth is tender and needs a lighter touch than mid-summer treatments.
Prep: 5 minutes
Yields: about 1 quart
Organic-friendly
Ingredients
1 quart water
1 tablespoon mild liquid dish soap
Spray bottle
Instructions
1
Combine the water and dish soap in a spray bottle, using a light hand with the soap.
2
Mist new growth and buds as soon as the first soft-bodied pests appear.
3
Rinse plants with plain water an hour or two later to prevent any leaf sensitivity.
4
Repeat every 5 to 7 days as needed through the tender early-growth period.
Tip: Spray early in the morning while temperatures are cool — tender spring growth is more prone to leaf burn if soap dries in strong midday sun.
