Best Insecticidal Soap

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Insecticidal soaps are a go-to for gardeners wanting to tackle pests without resorting to harsh chemicals. These specially formulated soaps break down the protective outer layer of soft-bodied insects like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites, causing them to dehydrate, all while being safer for beneficial insects and the environment compared to traditional pesticides. When selecting an insecticidal soap, opt for those made with potassium salts of fatty acids, which are safer for plants and decompose quickly after use—unlike regular dish soap, which can damage plants in high concentrations. Key factors include soap concentration, with most ready-to-use sprays at 1-2% and concentrated versions requiring dilution. We also assessed ease of application, coverage, and how long the product stays effective post-application, while considering safety for pets and kids. We tested a range of insecticidal soaps across various garden settings to pinpoint the most effective and plant-friendly options.

  • Garden Safe Insecticidal Soap

    10

    We recommend this effective and easy-to-use insecticidal soap for organic gardeners looking to control a variety of pests.

    10

    We recommend this effective and easy-to-use insecticidal soap for organic gardeners looking to control a variety of pests.

    Pros

    • Kills many common garden pests on contact
    • Safe for use on edible plants up to harvest day
    • Ready-to-use spray requires no mixing

    Cons

    • May need multiple applications for stubborn infestations
    • Can harm beneficial insects if not used carefully
    • Strong smell some users may find unpleasant

    We’ve found Garden Safe Insecticidal Soap to be a reliable go-to for pest control in our gardens. The ready-to-use spray makes quick work of aphids, mites, and other soft-bodied insects. We like that we can use it right up until harvest on our veggies without worry.

    In our tests, it worked best when sprayed directly on pests, coating them thoroughly. For heavy infestations, we needed to reapply after a few days. The soap penetrates insects’ bodies, disrupting their cells and leading to quick elimination.

    We appreciate that this product is suitable for organic gardening. It’s versatile enough to use indoors, outdoors, and in greenhouses on a variety of plants. While effective on pests, we did notice it can affect beneficial insects too, so careful application is key. The soap smell is strong at first but fades as it dries.

  • Captain Jack’s Insecticidal Soap

    9.7

    We think this ready-to-use spray is a top pick for gardeners looking for an effective organic pest control solution.

    9.7

    We think this ready-to-use spray is a top pick for gardeners looking for an effective organic pest control solution.

    Pros

    • Works on a wide range of pests
    • Organic and safe for many plants
    • Easy-to-use spray bottle

    Cons

    • May need repeated applications
    • Can harm beneficial insects too
    • Slightly pricier than some options

    When we tested Captain Jack’s Insecticidal Soap, we were impressed by how quickly it tackled common garden pests. The spray nozzle made it super easy to apply to our vegetable plants and ornamentals. We noticed a big drop in aphids and spider mites within a day.

    The organic formula gave us peace of mind. We didn’t worry about using it on herbs or veggies we planned to eat. It’s nice to have an option that’s tough on bugs but gentle on plants and people.

    We found it worked best with a few applications over time. Some stubborn pests needed an extra spray or two. While it’s not the cheapest option out there, we think the ready-to-use bottle is worth it for the convenience. Just be careful around bees and other helpful bugs – this soap doesn’t pick favorites.

  • Bonide Ready-to-Use Insecticidal Soap

    9.5

    We think this organic insecticide is a solid choice for gardeners looking to control pests without harsh chemicals.

    9.5

    We think this organic insecticide is a solid choice for gardeners looking to control pests without harsh chemicals.

    Pros

    • Easy-to-use spray bottle
    • Safe for organic gardening
    • Works on many common pests

    Cons

    • May need frequent reapplication
    • Not effective on all insects
    • Can harm some sensitive plants

    We tried out Bonide’s Insecticidal Soap on our indoor and outdoor plants. The ready-to-use spray made it quick to apply. We liked that it’s made from plant-based fatty acids, making it safe for organic gardens.

    In our tests, it worked well on soft-bodied pests like aphids and spider mites. We sprayed it directly on the bugs and saw them die on contact. For leaf-eating insects, we coated the leaves and stems. It took a bit longer, but those pests eventually died too.

    One thing to note – we had to spray more often than with harsher chemicals. Every few days seemed best for bad infestations. We also found it less effective on hard-shelled bugs. But for organic pest control, we think it’s a good option. Just be careful with delicate plants, as it can damage some types if overused.

  • Safer Insect Soap

    9.4

    We think this concentrated insecticidal soap is a great choice for organic gardeners looking to tackle soft-bodied pests.

    9.4

    We think this concentrated insecticidal soap is a great choice for organic gardeners looking to tackle soft-bodied pests.

    Pros

    • Works on many common garden pests
    • Safe for organic gardening
    • Makes up to 6 gallons of spray

    Cons

    • Needs repeated applications
    • Can harm plants if used incorrectly
    • Not effective on all insect types

    We tested Safer’s Insect Killing Soap on our vegetable garden and houseplants. This concentrate mixes easily with water to create a potent spray that targets soft-bodied pests like aphids and spider mites. We noticed it worked fast, with many insects dying soon after contact.

    The soap is gentle on most plants when used as directed. We sprayed it on our tomatoes, peppers, and herbs without any leaf damage. It’s nice that it’s OMRI listed for organic use, so we felt good about using it on edible crops.

    One downside is that it needs frequent reapplication. We had to spray every 5-7 days to keep pests in check. It also doesn’t work well on hard-shelled bugs like beetles. Still, for common garden pests, we found this soap an effective and eco-friendly option. Just be careful not to overuse it, as too much can harm plants.

  • Natria Insecticidal Soap

    9.3

    We think this organic pest control spray is a solid choice for gardeners looking to protect their plants without harsh chemicals.

    9.3

    We think this organic pest control spray is a solid choice for gardeners looking to protect their plants without harsh chemicals.

    Pros

    • Kills many common pests quickly
    • Safe for use on edible plants
    • Easy-to-use spray bottle

    Cons

    • May need repeated applications
    • Not effective on all insects
    • Strong smell

    When we tested Natria Insecticidal Soap, we were impressed by how fast it worked on aphids and mealybugs. Within minutes, we saw pests dropping off our tomato plants. The ready-to-use spray made it simple to coat leaves, stems, and even the undersides where bugs like to hide.

    We liked that we could use this soap on our veggie garden right up to harvest day. It gave us peace of mind knowing our produce was free from harmful chemicals. The OMRI listing for organic use was a big plus for our eco-friendly gardening efforts.

    One drawback we noticed was the need for multiple treatments. After a week, some pests returned, so we had to spray again. The soap didn’t seem to work as well on all bugs – our cherry tree still had some stubborn aphids. Also, the smell was pretty strong when first applied, but it faded quickly. Overall, we found Natria to be a useful tool in our plant care kit, especially for indoor houseplants and outdoor flowers.

  • Garden Safe Insecticidal Soap

    9.1

    We think this soap is a good choice for organic gardeners looking for an easy-to-use pest control option.

    9.1

    We think this soap is a good choice for organic gardeners looking for an easy-to-use pest control option.

    Pros

    • Safe for organic gardening
    • Kills many common pests on contact
    • Can be used up to harvest day

    Cons

    • Requires direct contact to work
    • May need multiple applications
    • Not effective against all insects

    We tried this Garden Safe insecticidal soap on our vegetable garden and indoor plants. It comes ready to use, so we didn’t have to mix anything. We sprayed it directly on some aphids we spotted on our tomato plants. Within a day, most of the aphids were gone.

    The soap worked well on soft-bodied pests like mealybugs and whiteflies too. We made sure to coat both sides of the leaves for the best results. It didn’t harm our plants, which was great. We even used it on our herbs right before picking them for dinner.

    We liked that this soap is ok for organic gardens. It’s made from fatty acids that kill bugs by messing up their cell membranes. While it worked fast on the pests we sprayed, we did have to reapply it a few times to get all the bugs. It didn’t seem to do much for harder-shelled insects like beetles. Still, for a natural option that’s safe to use often, we found it pretty helpful in our garden.

  • Trifecta Plant Protector

    9

    We think this all-natural insecticidal soap is a solid choice for gardeners looking to combat pests and fungus without harsh chemicals.

    9

    We think this all-natural insecticidal soap is a solid choice for gardeners looking to combat pests and fungus without harsh chemicals.

    Pros

    • Works on a wide range of pests
    • Safe for edible crops
    • Easy to apply

    Cons

    • Small bottle size
    • Pricey compared to some options
    • May need frequent reapplication

    We tested the Trifecta Crop Control on our indoor and outdoor plants, and we were pleased with its performance. The spray tackled common pests like spider mites and aphids effectively. We noticed a big drop in pest numbers after just one use.

    The plant-based formula gave us peace of mind when using it on our vegetable garden. We didn’t worry about chemical residues on our tomatoes or herbs. The spray dried quickly and left no smell, which was great for our indoor plants.

    We found the bottle a bit small for larger gardens. We had to buy more sooner than expected. The price is higher than some other options, but we felt the natural ingredients were worth it. For best results, we had to spray more often than with harsher chemicals. Still, we prefer this eco-friendly approach for our plants and the environment.

  • Bonide Liquid Soap Spray

    8.7

    We recommend this insecticidal soap for its effectiveness against common houseplant pests, though results may vary depending on the specific insects and plants.

    8.7

    We recommend this insecticidal soap for its effectiveness against common houseplant pests, though results may vary depending on the specific insects and plants.

    Pros

    • Quick action against gnats
    • Safe for many plants
    • Easy to use spray bottle

    Cons

    • May harm delicate plants
    • Requires direct contact to work
    • Multiple applications often needed

    We tried the Bonide Liquid Insecticidal Soap on our houseplants and saw good results. The spray worked fast to cut down on pesky gnats. After just one use, we noticed fewer flying insects. A second application nearly wiped them out completely.

    The bottle is simple to use. We just pointed and sprayed the leaves and soil of our affected plants. It’s important to coat the bugs directly for the soap to do its job. We found it worked best on hardier plants like succulents.

    But be careful with sensitive greenery. Our string of turtles didn’t react well to the spray. It’s smart to test a small area first. For tougher pests like aphids, we needed to apply it more often. While not perfect, this soap spray is a handy tool for plant lovers dealing with bug troubles.

  • Southern Ag Insecticidal Soap

    8.7

    We recommend this soap for gardeners seeking a safer pest control option, but its effectiveness may vary.

    8.7

    We recommend this soap for gardeners seeking a safer pest control option, but its effectiveness may vary.

    Pros

    • Safe for use on many plants
    • Works on a variety of pests
    • Suitable for indoor and outdoor use

    Cons

    • Mixed results in pest control
    • May require frequent applications
    • Some users report product consistency issues

    We tried the Southern Ag Insecticidal Soap in our garden and greenhouse. This concentrated formula mixes easily with water, making it simple to use in a sprayer. We liked that it’s safer than harsh chemicals, which is great for homes with pets or kids.

    The soap targets a wide range of pests. We sprayed it on our veggie plants to fight aphids and mites. It worked okay, but we had to apply it a few times. Some bugs were tougher to get rid of than others.

    One thing we noticed was that the product’s thickness can vary. Ours was a bit lumpy and needed extra mixing. This wasn’t a big deal, but it was surprising. We think it might work better on soft-bodied insects than tougher ones like grasshoppers.

  • Espoma Earth-Tone Soap

    8.6

    We recommend this organic insecticidal soap for its effective pest control and versatile use on various plants.

    8.6

    We recommend this organic insecticidal soap for its effective pest control and versatile use on various plants.

    Pros

    • Works on many common garden pests
    • Safe for indoor and outdoor use
    • Made from plant oils, not animal fats

    Cons

    • Spray nozzle can be unreliable
    • May need multiple applications
    • Some users find it pricey

    We tested the Espoma Earth-Tone Soap on our indoor plants and outdoor garden. It did a good job tackling aphids on our tomatoes and scale on our citrus trees. The organic formula gave us peace of mind when using it around our home.

    The spray covered plant leaves well, but we had to be thorough to get under leaves where pests hide. It took a couple of treatments to fully solve our pest problems. We liked that we could use it on our fruit trees without worrying about harmful chemicals.

    One downside we noticed was the spray nozzle. It didn’t always work right, which was frustrating when trying to target specific areas. Despite this, we found the soap effective for most of our pest issues. It’s a bit more expensive than some options, but the organic ingredients make it worth considering for many gardeners.

Buying Guide

When shopping for insecticidal soap, we recommend looking at a few key factors:

Ingredients

Look for products with potassium salts of fatty acids as the active ingredient. This is the main component that kills soft-bodied insects.

Avoid soaps with harsh chemicals or additives. The simpler the formula, the better.

Concentration

Check the concentration of active ingredients. Most ready-to-use sprays contain 1-2% soap.

Concentrated formulas let you dilute as needed. This offers more flexibility for different applications.

Application Method

Consider how you’ll apply the soap. Options include:

  • Ready-to-use spray bottles
  • Concentrate to mix with water
  • Hose-end sprayers

Choose based on the size of your garden and ease of use.

Safety

Look for products labeled as safe for organic gardening. These tend to be gentler on plants and beneficial insects.

Check if it’s safe to use on edible plants if you plan to treat food crops.

Package Size

Buy an amount appropriate for your needs. Smaller bottles work for houseplants or small gardens. Larger containers are more economical for bigger spaces.

Remember, insecticidal soap breaks down quickly. Don’t buy more than you can use in a season.

By weighing these factors, we can pick an insecticidal soap that fits our gardening needs and pest control goals.