White oil is one of the most effective organic pesticides, easy and cheap to make your own using household ingredients.
White Oil, a horticultural oil, is used for controlling sucking and chewing insects like aphids, scale, mealy bug and citrus leaf miner. It’s not a poison but suffocates the pests – so they can’t develop a resistance. It needs to be sprayed on both sides of leaves and stems to work properly.
To make a concentrate:
Recipe
- One cup dishwashing detergent
- Two cups sunflower oil
Add to a clearly labelled jar or other container, close the lid tightly and shake until it becomes white – and presto! Concentrated White Oil.
When ready to use, dilute one tablespoon of the concentrate to one litre of water. Add to a clearly-labelled spray bottle, shake and off you go!
Test First: Spray a single leaf and wait 24 hours to ensure the plant isn’t sensitive to the oil.
Target the Underside: Most pests hide on the bottoms of leaves. Ensure you get complete coverage for the oil to be effective.
Avoid “Hairy” Plants: Plants with fuzzy or succulent-like leaves (such as African Violets or some ferns) can be damaged by oil sprays.
NOTE – please do not apply when the temperature is 30 degrees Celsius or over as it may burn your plants.
