I'm dealing with a mystery pest that's wreaking havoc on my dahlia leaves, and I'm considering using Bonide Super Soap to prevent further damage. However, I'm worried about whether this product will affect beneficial insects, especially those nearby or not directly on the plants I'm spraying. Is using Super Soap as harmful as traditional insecticides?
1 Answer
Using soapy water can be pretty detrimental to any insect it comes in contact with, because it clogs their trachea, preventing them from breathing. It's not selective—if it gets on them, they'll likely be affected. Keep in mind it's not very effective if you don't spray it directly on the pests, unlike traditional pesticides. It's a better option than chemical poisons, but can be kind of a waste if the bugs aren't targeted directly, right?
That makes perfect sense! So if I spray and the pests come back, it won't help either? Derpy looking dahlias it is!