Yates Nature's Way Nutrasoap CONCENTRATE - Insecticidal Soap for Spider Mites, Aphids, Whitefly - 200ml (makes 10 litres)

A quick WARNING before we jump in. Insecticidal Soap (that's this product), is NOT the same as dish soap or castile soap. Do NOT use dish soap or castile soap on your plants! More about that coming up. Yates Natrasoap IS safe to use on your plants, just read the label and directions below first...

Plant safe insecticidal soap

Yates Nutrasoap is a fast-acting, broad spectrum insecticide that is safe and gentle for most plants, including houseplants. This is a natural, certified organic concentrate you simply mix with water and spray on plants to kill soft-bodied plant pests on contact. Being soap, it doesn't have the same precautions as most other pesticides, but there are still some things to know before you spray (coming up below)...

Which pests does Natrasoap work on?

Insecticidal soap works on soft-bodied pests. Yates lists aphids, mites and whitefly on the label.

The internet also says insecticidal soap is effective against young scale, thrips and psyllids, but same as using any product (especially any pesticide), I'd go by what the label says.

Insecticidal soap is NOT effective against hard-bodied and larger pests like mealybugs, adult scale, caterpillars, beetles, wasps or insect eggs. For mealybugs and scale, have a look at Enspray and Groventive.

Which plants can it be used on?

Always check the label before use (just in case anything changes from when I wrote this product page), but Yates Natrasoap is for use on ornamental plants (including houseplants), flowering plants, fruits and vegetables. 

If a plant is sensitive, or you're unsure, always do a test spray first. Check the directions below for more details...

Directions for use

This is the 200ml concentrate. You can also get the ready-to-use 750ml with spray bottle included (available here), if you prefer no prep, want to avoid any leftovers going to waste, and don't want to buy a spray mister separately.

TIP: For using this concentrate, you'll also want a spray mister like the Egmont 360 or Mister 360. The 360 in the name tells you they also spray upsidedown. Very handy for getting under plant leaves without tipping your plant sideways or upsidedown. 

20mls per 1 litre water

For the concentrate, mix 20mls of concentrate with 1 litre of water. Use up the mixture within 24 hours. Once mixed, safely dispose of any leftovers as it cannot be kept for use later. This 200ml concentrate makes 10 litres.

Depending on the lifecycle of the pest, check again every 1 to 2 weeks and repeat the application if needed. Keep in mind insecticidal soap works on contact when wet. That means it needs to come in contact with the pest and doesn't work when dry.

Spray on visible pests and the areas you see pest damage, including underneath leaves and on new growth where they like to feed.

Important: Read before use

Always read the label before use. Apply early morning or early evening on a cool day. Avoid applying on hot days. Keep plants out of direct sun until dry.

If the soil is dry, or the plant is under moisture stress, water as normal and wait for the plant to recover before spraying.

Do a test spray on sensitive plants first, or if you're unsure if the plant might be sensitive to insecticidal soap. Spray a small test area and wait three days before spraying the rest of the plant (provided there's no negative reaction).

Best avoided on seedlings, baby plants and cuttings. 

Why is insecticidal soap different from dish soap and castile soap?

There's a whole article here that breaks down the differences in more detail, but the main thing to know is yes, dish soap and castile soap can kill plant pests, but they should NOT be used on plants.

Dish soap is the biggest no of the three. It's not even soap. It's a detergent made from synthetic chemicals, surfactants and solvents, as well as bleach, dyes, fragrances, rinse aid and more. 

The same reason dish soap does a great job cutting through grease, fats and oils on your dishes, is why it should not be used on plants.

Those same harsh ingredients can strip the protective, natural layer of oils and waxes off your plants too. Leaving them without their natural defences against plant pests, fungal and bacteria diseases. Sure, it kills pests, but can also harm or kill your plants as well as allow other nasties easy access.

Castile soap IS soap, usually made from either potassium or sodium and vegetable oils, so is not as harsh as dish soap. However, castile soap still not tested as safe for use on plants and is not a tested pesticide.

If it's your only option, check you have castile soap made with potassium not sodium, and that is has nothing else added anything. I wouldn't risk it myself. Get Yates Natrasoap instead (that's the product you're on now). 

Insecticidal soap is made with potassium not sodium, and a special type of fatty acids that are gentle and safe on the majority of plants. Yates Natrasoap is a tested pesticide, and certified organic for use on ornamental plants, flowering plants, fruits and vegetables.