Soap is a cheap, easily available and, above all, ecologically friendly home remedy. It has often served well in the garden. Since the boxwood borer has been raging in this country, soft soap has also been used as a control agent against it. The successes are impressive.
How does soft soap help against boxwood moth?
The soap solution sticks to the boxwoodafterspraying. Boxwood moth caterpillars, frightened by the scent, crawl away or come into contact with it. Your organs are attacked and your airways become blocked. The high pH value destroys their acid-base balance and ultimately causes thedeath of the caterpillars
How do I make the soft soap solution?
For the alkaline basic solution against boxwood moth (Cydalima perspectalis),40-60 grams of soft soap, alternatively 250 grams of grated curd soap, in5 liters of waterdissolved. However, the soft soap solution is often supplemented with other supporting components. Five variants with additional ingredients:
- 500 ml fresh milk
- 1 tsp s alt and/or 1 tsp lime
- 100-200 ml spirit or high-proof alcohol
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 10 drops of iodine
S alt dries out caterpillars, baking soda causes respiratory paralysis. Lime increases the pH of the solution, milk increases its adhesion. Spirit and alcohol ensure faster penetration of the solution. Iodine disinfects eaten leaf areas.
How do I use the soap solution correctly?
SprayingApply the soap solution on a covered, butrain-free dayUse a spray bottle with a very fine atomizer and work thoroughly, because The entire boxwood (Buxus), including the undersides of the leaves, must be wetted withgapsless. Repeat the applicationseveral times, especially after rain as this washes off the solution. You can produce larger quantities in one operation because the solution lasts for at least a year.
Can I also use soft soap as a preventive measure?
Yes, you canfrom spring to autumn spray your box with it to prevent infestation. The scent will keep the boxwood moth caterpillars away. Repeat spraying at weekly intervals as the solution will be carried away by wind and rain.
Can I alternatively spray with a detergent solution?
Dishwashing liquid isnot a good substitute for soft soap when controlling this pest. It doesn't have such a high pH value and it doesn't stick as well. It is also not necessary to look for an alternative, as lubricant can be purchased at any drugstore for little money. If you can't get soft soap at short notice but absolutely have to spray against caterpillars, you should add at least a teaspoon of baking soda to the detergent solution. Or you can use another proven home remedy against the borer.
Tip
When using curd soaps, pay attention to their purity
If you use curd soap instead of soft soap, you should definitely look at the list of ingredients. It should not contain any care products or fragrances or any other additives. All of them can reduce the effectiveness of the solution as a control agent and/or harm the environment. Normal soaps are also not suitable for these reasons. Soft soap and pure curd soap are themselves completely biodegradable.
