starkid@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Lance Sanders) (08/21/90)
On 16 Aug 90 04:26:15 GMT, elmo@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Eric Cabot), in Message-ID: <8963@ur-cc.UUCP> writes: ( Subject: Re: Amazing new insecticide discovered! ) >There is actually a firm in or near Victoria, British Colubia >that has been marketing a line of insecticidal soaps for plants, >cats and dogs under the name of SAFER soaps (TM). My inside >sources at SAFER have indicated that these are not very >different than ordinary liquid dish-soap (with maybe a little >bit of perfume for Fido). As you have discovered, these soaps >are quite effective. I have an indoor light garden of 30 plants that I use in the bedroom as air cleaners and mood elevators. Somehow, a new plant I added was infected, and even though I "quarrantined" it for a week, the new pests ( aphids *and* spider mites) blitzed my garden. They used the Safer for an appetizer. I found a dilute solution of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap (potassium solution, coconut-olive-peppermint oils) to be effective via cotton wipes and spraying. Some other natural approaches you definitely want to look into: Citrus Oils ----------- In the J. Agric. Entomology 1(2): 95-100 (April 1984), D. Craig Sheppard, Dept. of Entomol., U. of Georgia/Coastal Plain Experiment Station/Tifton, GA 31793, wrote in "Toxicity of Citrus Peel Liquids to the House Fly and Red Imported Fire Ant" that: "Citrus peel from all sources tested exhibited an insecticidal action that was not due to insecticide residue. It was not present on the surface of undamaged fruit. The principal concentration of this insecticidal factor seemed to be in liquid in glands of the outer peel...the major component of these oils is limonene...it acts as a contact poison and fumigant and was toxic to all insects tested. This natural insecticide may prove valuable for treating pets and human beings for ectoparasites...and for pest control around households." Absolutely. Sheppard warned me not to use citrus oil concentrates on plant surfaces, because they might burn the plant. But the oils are great for spraying *around the base* of the plants, etc. One possible source: Citrikleen, which contains natural solvents from citrus fruits (biodegradable, of course). You can use it to scour tile, the bathroom, the garage, etc. [Product Concepts/West Conshohocken, PA/(215) 828-1826 Neem ---- Neem is a garlicky-smelling oil derived from a common shade tree in India (Azadirachata indica). It contains azadirachtin, that protects plants against 200 different insects. It works by making plants unpalatable to insects when sprayed onto foliage or in soil. If insects don't attack the plant, neem kills them outright, or inhibits their ability to molt or lay eggs. It's biodegradable and non-toxic to humans, other vertebrates and beneficial insects. Brand name in US: Margosan-O. For updated info, try writing to Robert Larson/Vikwood Botanicals/Box 1414/Sheboygan, Wis. 53082 ----------------------------------------------- Lance Sanders starkid@ddsw1.MCS.COM "Good, the more communicated GEnie: L.Sanders6 more abundant grows." Voice: (312) 667-5958 ---Milton