So when the aphids were sucking the life out of my newly planted container gardens, I ran to my files to see what I could scrounge up. This mixture should assist you with the removal of mites, whiteflies, aphids, thrips small scales and leafhoppers. This recipe has a very low toxicity to wildlife and humans but should not be applied on a sizzling hot day, windy, or humid. It can burn some plants with dull leaf surfaces so always test a non-visible area before you attack the whole plant or growing section. Scale can be attacked with this recipe which when mixed with the alcohol will penetrate the adult scale insects shells which will kill them soon after contact.
Scale is a problem with many houseplants.
Take the plant outside for a quick spray or do it in the bathtub. The last recipe can be used to spray on those plants that you want to bring inside for the winter. Add one teaspoon of Dawn dishwashing detergent. Spray the topside and underside of the leaves and let it sit for three minutes, rinse all the leaves thoroughly and let them dry outside. At the end of the day, all homemade insecticidal recipes make me feel comfortable about what I m spraying onto my plants and into the environment.