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RE: dish soap for aphids

On Thu 25 Jun, Lorraine Hoag wrote:
> A University of California recommendation is:  Two or three tablespoons
> liquid detergent per gallon of water will kill on contact aphid or most any
> insect. There is no residual is the problem. Maybe for a little while but
> not long. The trick is to keep checking as aphid return quickly. Did you
> know aphid are born pregnant
> L
> 
> At 09:15 PM 6/24/98 +0100, you wrote:
> >On Wed 24 Jun, muller@cs.bc.edu wrote:
> >
> >> Hmm, I missed this thread. I seem to have aphids (sp?) all
> >> over my tomoto plants.
> >Which type of aphids?
> >> Is it true that I can spray them with
> >> soapy water to rid them of this pest?
> >NOT Detergent!
> >> If so, what kind of 
> >> soap (Ivory?) and, I grow mustard greens between my tomoto
> >> plants, will this ruin my mustard greens?
> >> 
> >> Thanks,
> >> Bob
> >>
> >Have a look at
> >http://www.ex.ac.uk/~gjlramel/aphids.html
> >for a general survey.
> >The simplest thing to try is a forceful spray of water, aided by a bit
> >of finger rubbing, repeated as necessary.
> >After that there is a recipe using rhubarb leaves.
> >Ask again if you need the recipe, it isn't mine originally.
> >-- 
> >Allan Day  Hereford HR2 7AU allan@crwys.demon.co.uk
> > 
>
What detergent, what is its initial concentration, is it pure detergent
or washing up liquid?  Has it been tested and approved for use on
foodstuffs? Are we talking about use in areas of high rainfall, arid
zones or under cover where the residues will not be washed off?
Until all these facts are known one must reserve judgement on whether
it is is safe practice or not. And on what authority was this advice
given out. And how about trying the water spray first, surely that's as
safe as you can get (assuming the water is of drinking quality and not
polluted eg by detergent of unknown specification)
A further point, why are the aphids there in the first place, I suspect
the atmosphere is too dry, if not perhaps their predators have been
destroyed.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing
-- 
Allan Day  Hereford HR2 7AU allan@crwys.demon.co.uk
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