How to Kill Insect Eggs in Plant Soil

Remove debris, such as sticks and rocks, from the area that will be treated. Turn the area's soil with a rototiller, or use a spade or garden fork to loosen the soil of all clumps to a depth of 6 inches. Remove as many weeds and old roots as possible. Water the loose soil with 1 to 2 inches of water, or enough water to moisten the top 12 inches of soil. Lay a soaker hose strategically on the soil's surface, if possible, so it can emit water to keep the area's soil moist during the solarization process.

Stretch a clear, polyethylene sheet that is 1/2 to 4ml thick over the soil, and extend it 6 to 12 inches beyond the area you want to treat. A thinner polyethylene sheet soaks in more sunlight and can be more effective, but it is more likely to tear. Bury the polyethylene sheet's edges about 3 or 4 inches deep. Burying the sheet's edges allows heat to be trapped under the sheet.

Inspect the polyethylene sheet one or two times each week. Seal tears in it with heavy-duty tape, and rebury the sheet's edges as necessary. Moisten the soil beneath the sheet with 1 inch of water from the soaker hose, if applicable, if you no longer see moisture on the underside of the sheet. Remove the polyethylene sheet after six weeks if it was located in a site that receives full sun exposure. In a shadier site, one or two additional months may be necessary to solarize the soil before the sheet can be removed.