Alcohol kills mealybugs, scales, aphids, spider mites, white flies, slugs, and earwigs by acting as a surfactant, or wetting agent, that can penetrate an insect's waxy coat of armor and kill on contact with the body. Isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) works fine and is easy to find, but be sure it doesn't have additives. Ethanol (grain alcohol) seems to work best. Alcohol usually comes in 70 percent strength in stores (or 95 percent strength purchased commercially).
To make an insecticidal spray, mix equal parts 70 percent alcohol and water (or if using 95 percent alcohol, mix 1 part alcohol to 1-1/2 parts water). To kill mealybugs, dip a cotton swab or cotton ball into alcohol and wipe off the infestation.
RE: Killing Mealybugs, Scales, Aphids, Spider Mites, etc.
By Bill A. Jax Fl (Guest Post)
I was told that by mixing a 't' spoon of clorox, and a 't' spoon of dish detergent to 1 gal of water will effectively kill the aphid when evenly sprayed to affected plants. Whats the value of such a claim?
Editor's Note: Just using the dish detergent, I'd say 1 tsp. in a quart of water works on aphids. For spider mites, I use alcohol on a Q-tip and wash the leaf with it removing the spider mite webs.
Mixing Clorox and Dish soap can make a toxic gas so it is not normally recommended.
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