Aphids and scale insects are the nightmare of every person with a green thumb. The former are also known by the name “plant lice”, very small insects that often attack vegetable crops and which nest mainly on the leaves and suck their sap. Scale insects are a close relative of aphids, since they too are tiny insects that feed on the sap of houseplants or fruit trees and in the long run lead to the weakening and death of plants. (Read also: Insecticides against aphids and parasites: which are the best, not dangerous for bees and humans, according to the German test)
How to recognize an infestation early
Intervening in time is the key to saving a plant without having to resort to intensive treatments. The first signs of an aphid attack are often subtle: younger leaves begin to curl or curl, plant growth visibly slows, and a sticky film is felt when touching the foliage. That substance is honeydew, a sugary liquid secreted by aphids while they feed, which in addition to damaging the plant, promotes the appearance of sooty mold, an easily recognizable blackish fungus. In the case of scale insects, however, the first clues are small white, cottony accumulations in the crevices between the leaf and stem, or tiny brown plaques fixed on the bark. The sooner you identify the problem, the easier it will be to solve it with delicate remedies such as potassium soft soap.
Cochineal insects: not all the same
Talking about scale insects as if they were a single insect is a simplification that can lead to ineffective treatments. The three most common varieties in the garden and in the apartment are the cottony, the floury and the scudetto cochineal. The cottony cochineal can be recognized by the white waxy filaments it produces and prefers the most sheltered areas of the plant. The floury one looks like a white powder that covers leaves and stems. The shield cochineal is perhaps the most difficult to eliminate: it forms a small protective armor which makes it resistant to surface sprays. Potassium soft soap is particularly effective against the young and mobile forms of these insects, while on adult shield scale insects it may be necessary to combine it with a mechanical treatment – passing a wad soaked in product directly on the shield – to obtain concrete results.
One of the remedies that can help us fight these dangerous plant enemies is coconut oil potassium soft soap, an ecological detergent famous for its low environmental impact and very affordable selling price.
How potassium soft soap can help us care for plants
Soft soap is a soap based on potassium salts of fatty acids that can be used both for hand and machine laundry, but also for plant care. It is a product with low environmental impact, as it is composed of three biodegradable substances: water, coconut oil and glycerin.
Soft soap is used by many farmers as it is extremely effective in combating parasites that infest plants and orchards. It stands out from other types of insecticides and pesticides that are toxic to humans and the environment because it is a natural, ecological, biodegradable and easy-to-use remedy. The ingredients and accessories needed to prepare it are:
The procedure to follow is to completely dissolve the soap in the water and pour the mixture into the spray bottle. The instructions for applying it are:
Other considerations to keep in mind:
It is best not to use potassium soft soap on plants that are under stress, sick or that have just undergone repotting or transplanting.
How to combine potassium soap with other natural remedies
Potassium soft soap should not be seen as an isolated remedy, but as part of a broader natural plant defense strategy. Neem oil is one of the best allies: it has a repellent action and interferes with the reproductive cycle of insects, making treatments more long-lasting. Garlic or chilli macerates, prepared by leaving the ingredients to infuse in water for 24 hours, work as preventive deterrents and can be sprayed on still healthy plants to reduce the risk of infestation. Isopropyl alcohol diluted to 70%, applied with a cotton swab, is particularly suitable for manually removing scale insects before treatment with soap. Combining these tools in a thoughtful way is much more effective than relying on a single product.
Be careful about the water you use
A common mistake, often underestimated, is preparing the mixture with tap water without considering its hardness. In many areas of Central-Southern Italy – but also in several areas of the North – the water is rich in limestone, and this interferes with the action of soft soap, significantly reducing its effectiveness. Furthermore, hard water can leave white residue on the leaves which, in addition to being unsightly, partially block the plant’s stomata. For best results it is preferable to use rainwater collected in a container, or distilled water. If you have no alternatives, you can partially reduce the problem by letting tap water sit for a few hours in an open container before preparing the mixture.
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