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How to Kill Bugs with Detergent

Many of the more than 50,000 species of bugs can become garden or household pests, especially scale insects which can infest and destroy healthy plants. There are many effective commercial insecticides available to kill bugs, but these may be expensive and toxic to people and animals. Dish detergent, however, offers a safe and inexpensive way to kill bugs both in and outside your home.

Things You'll Need

Spray bottle
Garden sprayer
Bucket

Instructions

- 1
  Make a homemade insecticidal soap to kill bugs you see indoors. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and add two teaspoons liquid dish detergent. Mix well and directly spray any bugs you see.
- 2
  Treat your lawn and the perimeter of your home with the homemade insecticide solution. In a bucket, mix 2 1/2 tablespoons of dish detergent per gallon of water and fill your garden sprayer with the solution. Spray your lawn and the perimeter of your home to kill bugs.
- 3
  Spray indoor and outdoor plants with the homemade insecticidal solution. Make sure you spray the underside of leaves where bugs like to hide and lay their eggs.
- 4
  Reapply the insecticidal solution every few days or after it rains for bug control. Detergent does not have a residual effect, so you will need to reapply often.

Insects & Science