Rubbing alcohol is an effective insecticide for controlling pests and fungal diseases on plants, but it can have both positive and negative effects. High concentrations of alcohol can kill beneficial soil microorganisms, disrupt the soil, and kill soft-bodied insects that attack and destroy plants. Alcohol spray can slow or speed up plant growth, get rid of snails and slugs, kill weeds or competing plants, and even revive them.
To use rubbing alcohol on plants, dilute the alcohol with water and test the solution on a few leaves for 24 hours before spraying it on the entire plant. However, it is not recommended to spray alcohol directly on plants as it can damage the leaves and roots. Additionally, it can burn or chill sensitive plant leaves, so take precautions to prevent alcohol from killing plants on which you use it to kill bugs.
Rubbing alcohol is safe and effective for controlling pests like red spider mites, mealy bugs, whiteflies, aphids, fungus gnats, and scale. To make the spray, mix 1/2 to 1 cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 quart of water in a pump-spray bottle. It is advisable to test spray one leaf of an infested plant and wait a day to check for damage. Rubbing alcohol also works well on mealybugs, and when bringing a new plant home, inspect it before repotting it.
For indoor plant pest control, avoid going over 70 alcohol. Rubbing alcohol varies between brands, but for indoor plants, the general advice is to avoid going over 70 alcohol. Some plants may not be able to handle rubbing alcohol, so test a leaf before proceeding. A 1:5 alcohol to water ratio works effectively on mealybugs and scale and does not require subsequent rinsing as undiluted alcohol.
In summary, rubbing alcohol can be an effective insecticide for controlling pests on plants, but there are better, cheaper, and more sustainable alternatives available.
📹 How to Get Rid of Mealybugs | Using Rubbing Alcohol as a Pest Control to Rid My Plants of Bugs
Our Monstera has mealybugs… AGAIN! This is the third time this year that these pesky, white fuzzy bugs have attacked my indoor …
Does Dawn dish soap kill mites on plants?
To eliminate spider mite infestations, homeowners can spray damaged or non-damaged plants daily, every few days, or weekly. Dawn dish soap spider mite repellent is highly effective and prevents future infestations. Alcohol-based spider mite repellent can be made by soaking cotton balls in alcohol, rubbing each leaf’s top and bottom areas and stems, allowing the alcohol to sit for a couple of hours, and thoroughly rinsing the infested leaves with clean water. This home remedy can help homeowners quickly eliminate spider mite infestations and prevent future infestations.
Can you use 99 isopropyl alcohol on plants?
Isopropyl alcohol, commonly known as rubbing alcohol, can be employed as a pesticide or leaf cleaner on plants. However, it is imperative that the solution is diluted with water prior to use, as undiluted alcohol can cause leaf burn.
How to get rid of fungus gnats in indoor plants?
To control fungus gnats, create a trap using apple cider vinegar and plastic wrap. Poke small holes around the top to allow gnats to enter but not exit. Apply hydrogen peroxide to treat eggs and larvae in the soil. Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 4 parts water, then pour the mixture into a pot, ensuring it completely saturates the soil. Traps help control the adult population of fungus gnats, but treating the eggs and larvae is essential.
Is rubbing alcohol safe for houseplants?
To create a pest control solution, test it on plants by applying a small solution of rubbing alcohol on their leaves and waiting at least a day. Alcohol acts as a desiccant, causing burn marks, curled or withered leaves, and other negative reactions. If plants seem unharmed, use it in moderation, as over-spraying can turn the insecticide into an herbicide. Plants absorb alcohol via their roots, causing severe dehydration and plant death.
To be safe, use a cotton swab to apply the solution directly to mealybugs or their eggs, rather than spraying them. Alcoholic beverages, which contain ethanol but also contain sugars and organic matter, are not recommended for use on plants due to their potential growth of bacteria and fungi.
What kind of alcohol do you spray on plants?
Spider mites can be effectively treated by isolating the plant and using undiluted rubbing alcohol or a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water. Wipe leaves with the mixture and apply it to foliage, top and bottom. Leave for 1 to 3 hours, then rinse off with plain water. Another popular combination is 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap, 1 litre of water, and 1 cup of rubbing alcohol. Repeat every 3 days for at least 2 weeks.
Aphids can be treated by isolating the plant and using an insecticidal soap and alcohol solution. Spray foliage and stems liberally, or spot treat aphids directly with undiluted rubbing alcohol. A spray treatment is usually needed for any infestation, except for light infestations caught early. Spray or spot treat every 2 to 3 days for at least 2 weeks.
For hard-to-kill plant pests, consider using a systemic insecticide, such as Groventive in New Zealand or Captain Jacks Systemic on Amazon. A systemic stops pests from getting established again by working from the inside of the plant and killing them when they feed. Rubbing alcohol acts as a contact insecticide for an instant kill, but a systemic is needed for complete pest control.
Is 70% isopropyl alcohol considered rubbing alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol, in its diluted form as rubbing alcohol, is safe for use in the home for the disinfection of objects and for the treatment of minor skin abrasions. The concentration of the solution ranges from 100 to 70%, with some brands exhibiting a concentration of 70%. Nevertheless, the safety of this product is contingent upon strict adherence to the instructions provided on the label, the exercise of caution, and the avoidance of contact with the eyes.
What is the difference between rubbing alcohol and isopropyl alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol and rubbing alcohol exhibit analogous properties, including antibacterial and antiseptic characteristics. However, their higher concentrations render them more hazardous. Isopropyl alcohol is 100 percent concentrated, whereas rubbing alcohol is less concentrated due to the addition of water. Both products are flammable and toxic when inhaled or ingested, yet their applications differ.
Does rubbing alcohol keep bugs away?
Rubbing alcohol is a dehydrating solvent that can attract insects by causing their bodies to dry out rapidly. While it can be effective for some surfaces, it should not be used as a skin spray as it can dry out skin and cause irritation or itchiness. Instead, use Green Goo Bugs Be Gone or similar insect repellent sprays for skin protection.
Plants can also be used to repel insects from your yard. Certain insect-repelling plants create fragrances that can repel mosquitoes and other bugs, making them ideal for planting near patios or backyard sitting areas. These plants can help keep insects away from your skin and table, reducing the buzzing and inconvenience they cause.
What is the best homemade spray for spider mites?
A safe homemade spider mite killer is a mixture of mild dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and water. This solution breaks down the pests’ protective layers, causing them to dehydrate and die. Neem oil is an effective natural pesticide that can treat spider mite infestations on houseplants by inhibiting their feeding and reproduction. It is recommended to use Neem Oil as a preventative measure during the Spring-Summer season or when a sick plant is present.
Neem oil can be applied to leaves, stems, and topsoil once every 2-3 weeks. If a houseplant is infested with spider mites, it can be saved by removing affected leaves, treating them with miticide or homemade spray, and ensuring proper nutrient and hydration.
Does rubbing alcohol kill spider mites?
Rubbing alcohol can be employed as a miticide to eradicate predatory spider mites. This is achieved by applying the alcohol to a tissue or cotton ball, holding a leaf taut, and then gently wiping the alcohol-wetted item over the leaf.
Do mosquitoes hate alcohol spray?
Rubbing alcohol is an effective method to repel mosquitoes, as it causes them to dry out and die. While large concentrations of alcohol are not recommended indoors, carrying a spray bottle with alcohol in it is a good idea. Mosquito Magician, a mosquito repellent made from natural ingredients like garlic, lemongrass, and geraniol, is safe for use and effective for family, children, and pets when used as directed.
📹 How I Clean My Houseplants & Deal With Plant Pests
Cleaning my plants & pest management are definitely the most time consuming part of my indoor plant hobby, so here’s how I do it …
TRY soft paint brushes or make up brushes! It’ll change the game!! I use old makeup brushes or super soft paint brushes. And i rinse my brush between plants but swirl my brush in the solution between leafs. The brush can get in the petioles and Hoya baby leafs etc. I used to use sponges paper towels etc but I prefer painting on the solution w a brush and I won’t go back.
I do this a bit differently than Nick these days. I used to use this method, but the scale always came back. Recently I read about a different technique on Reddit and I really like it. I use only 70% alcohol, no water, and a drop of detergent. I put this mixture in a spray bottle and spray down everything — leaves, petioles, stems, soil surface — until it’s dripping. Then let the plant air dry, no rinsing. I do this 1-2 times a week until there are no signs of infestation. It’s less labor intensive, IME, and I have found it to be more effective. No harm to the leaves — I have even used this technique on delicate ferns.
I loved this article especially because it normalizes pests. Scale annihilated my sago palm despite my efforts to treat it with neem oil Solution. So I just chopped up all its fronds and cleaned up any dead bits of the plant and within two months, I was rewarded with beautiful new growth. I was actually amazed at how quickly the plant bounced back. It healed me of my fear of pests.
I was thinking: I hope I am NOT crazy when cleaning my plant, leaf by leaf, since i didn’t know how other people clean their plants. So – THANK YOU for this validating article – I’m not nuts, after all, as to how I clean the leaves! However, I did NOT know, to put a little alchohol in the cleaning water!! I will do that from now on!
I think manually cleaning every leaf is definitely the best way to eradicate pests. No matter what products you use (I use neem oil and peppermint castille soap), you can actually just use water (I’ve done this before), as long as you’re manually cleaning every leaf that’s the main thing and the most effective way of pest control.
I find it easier and more effective to put the mixture in a spray bottle, spray tops and bottoms of the leaves, plus the stems down to soil, let it sit, then wipe leaves top and bottom. That way pests hiding on stems or crevices aren’t missed. I also am sure to spray leaf bottoms and stems with water to remove residue.
Can you please do more of these articles? I can’t tell you how comforting it is to see your approach to pests. I always go into panic-mode when I see a single pest and it’s so helpful to see the way that you just calmly tackle the problem and clean off the plant, haha. I need to website this level of calm and wipe down my plants.
Hi, Nick. I live in far NE Philly. I find the city water here is not good for my plants. I let bottles of water sit out for 24 hours and use it to water plants. I noticed my plants like it better. I use distilled water on my prayer plants and it reduced the brown crispy leaves. I clean my plants the same way. I love to watch your articles and you’ve taught me so much. Thank you 😊
Thank you for this viewing angle on cleaning your plants. I do it exactly the same way: with paper towel and a spray bottle, one leaf at a time. I worked in a lab where we used 70% ethanol to disinfect everything except for surgical procedures: we could not exceed 60% ethanol as that was the concentration at which cellular damage occurred. I was accidentally used the 70% by accident once, and crossed my fingers that it would go unnoticed, but the person who checked my sample told me my cell walls were busted and to do better. Bugger! ;P
I love your articles about pests! You are so calm about them. When I got my first pests ( californian thrips ) I felt paniced and overwhelmd and at some point I was ready to give up. Glad I didn’t! Eventually I got rid of them and have had black thrips, scale, mealybugs and spider mites after them. When I see a bug on my plant and it’s not californian thrip I just thank the gods 😄 After cal thrips nothing scares me anymore 😄 bugs are not the end of the world.
I just ordered PureCrop 1 and I have to say this stuff is amazing!!! I had an attack of spider mites on 95% of my plants. Now I’m down to less than 1%. I do need to start a cleaning regiment of cleaning my plants weekly though. Do you clean a few plants per day? Or…? I just started perusal your website, so I’ll go through and see if you do mention your routine also.
My trio star gets the whites residue on the tips of the leaf, it’s from the water leaking thru the tips of the leaves. Same with the agleonema. All those leafy plants drip water a few days after they r freshly watered thru the tips of every leaf, and I believe the residue is from fertilizer or minerals in the water. But it’s nothing to fear! Just access water that drips from tips of leaves and it leaves a mineral water residue dried on the leaf tips. 🙂 Cleaning my plant leaves is by far my worst favorite task for taking care of my plants! Totally time consuming and alot of picky work! I always keep q tips near me while I clean leaves to get mealies in tight spots. 🙂 Love ur articles!
Thanks for the heads up on hoyas and mealy bugs-I’m bad about keeping my plants apart and I literally have my first shipment of Hoyas arriving in the mail today (they really aren’t found in my location so I had to order them in). I probably would have stuck them out with everything else and infected the whole house with them 😬😳
Oh my goodness, just like your mealybug problem, I’ve been dealing with a thrips problem ever since a plant brought some in. No idea which plant it may have been, but now it’s part of my regular routine to clean the leaves when I can for these guys. They breed way too quick too so it’s tough! Whenever I find a leaf that’s been harboring a group of them, I’m like “die die die!” as I wipe them off decimating them lmao. I should add some isopropanol to my soap solution that I’ve used! Maybe that will be a little extra kick to those thrips. Shoutout to Ms Meyers soap too, I use that soap for my plants too! (The hand soap version tho)
I’m so sad. I got rid of a much loved swiss cheese plant that took me months to find because I cleaned it several times and it kept getting the milly bugs. I really thought that once you get rid of them they weren’t suppose to come back. I did do a small cutting from it and the newer one is growing, but I loved waking up each morning and admiring that plant. Also recently, I got rid of two other plants for the same reason. You taught me alot today.
I got mealybugs from some orchids I adopted from a friend. I didn’t quarantine them adequately, and you can guess the rest. Quarantine, *quarantine*, *QUARANTINE*. Most of my plants are okay when I spray 70% alcohol directly in the nooks and crannies where they hide; kills ’em instantly. You should try it on a small part of your plant first, just in case.
I appreciate your efforts! Ive got a question about my philodendron birkin.. can it get crown rot? I had NO pests u til i bought a hoya at my local nursery 😨 Im so terrified that my orchid collection will be infected so the hoya has been transplanted, washed with your solution and kept in another room..