How to Use Dawn Soap as a Bug Spray

Indoor and outdoor plants are susceptible to several insects, including aphids, spider mites and mealy bugs. Dawn dish soap, which is used worldwide to clean wildlife and birds after oil spills, is also a safe, effective way to repel insects from your houseplants. Mix the dish soap with other ingredients to protect your houseplants without discoloring the foliage or harming the plant.

Things You'll Need

• 3 cups distilled water
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• Plastic spray bottle

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Pour 3 cups distilled water, 1 teaspoon Dawn dish soap and 1/4 cup baking soda into a plastic spray bottle. Replace the bottle’s cap and shake it vigorously to mix the ingredients.

   • 2

     Spray a light coating of the Dawn dish soap mixture onto both sides of the leaves. The soap kills select insects, including boxelder bugs, Japanese beetles and whiteflies, and discourages them from returning.

   • 3

     Reapply the Dawn spray every one to two weeks.