Getting Rid of Aphids, Mealybugs, Psyllids and Spider Mites Without Toxic Insecticides.

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Here's a quick tip to get you started: Aphids, Mealybugs, Psyllids and Spider Mites are common banes to both indoor and outdoor gardening.  How to get rid of the bugs and keep them away, without hurting the plants you're growing can sometimes seem a challenge.  But the solution is easy.  Simply add a hand soap or detergent such as Dawn, to a spray bottle full of water in about a 2% ratio of soap to water and shake to mix well.  Spray onto the affected plants on their leaves, stems and buds.

Detergents and soaps are contact insecticides, and the spray must be applied directly to and completely cover the insects and their eggs. As the bugs and their eggs may be almost too small to see, try to coat all surfaces of the plant.  There is no residual  affect from soapy water remaining on the plant that did not come in contact with the insect or its eggs at the time of application as on their own they will avoid it.  This method  will clear out even the heaviest infestations of aphids and other soft body bugs.  A light spray should be all that you need and will ensure that you aren't altering the pH of your soil by saturating it with a detergent water that may not be the same pH as the plant prefers.  

How soapy water kills bugs is still somewhat of a mystery, with theories including disruption of their cellular functions to removal of the waxy substances that protect their soft bodies leading to excessive loss of bodily fluids. In any case, it works and works well so go get those bugs!