Insecticidal Soap

Insecticidal Soap 
(Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids or Alkanolamine Salts of Fatty Acids). Pesticides with insecticidal soap as the active ingredient consist of salts of fatty acids (potassium or alkanolamine salts) selected for their effectiveness. Insecticidal soap works on contact. The salts of fatty acids penetrate the insect's exoskeleton and interfere with the structure and permeability of cell membranes. It is therefore important for the pesticide to be sprayed directly onto pests or applied to the plant parts attacked by pests. 



The soap is effective only when wet and loses its insecticidal action once dry. It is best to apply early in the morning or evening or on a cloudy day.

The pests targeted with insecticidal soap are: aphids, scales, mealy bugs, mites and earwigs. Insecticidal soap pesticides are available ready to use or as liquid concentrates to be diluted before use. "Natrasoap" is one brand name.