Elder Leaf Insecticide

[IrishAbroad]

Just found this and thought it would be of interest to the more ECOites out there.

Target insects:Aphids, carrot root fly, cucumber beetles, peach tree borers, and root maggots. It is particularly effective against midges. Elder leaves also have fungicidal properties and may be useful against mildew and blackspot diseases.

To make: simmer 8 ounces of leaves in 16 ounces of water for 30 minutes. Stir this thoroughly, then strain. Take 16 ounces of warm water and mix with 1 tablespoon of castille soap. Add soap mixture to the elder water, spray as needed. Note: Set your sprayer to a coarse or large droplet setting as this mixture will tend to plug a fine setting

[Millymollymandy]

Interesting - but what is Castille soap? And how long will the mixture remain effective? Come to think of it, liquid measure in ounces? Now I'm confused!

[IrishAbroad]

OK just done a simple conversion to metric (sorry found it on an American website, and as me mum still talks in pounds and ounces it sort of made sense to me )

Castille soap is olive oil soap like Savon de Marseille


To make: simmer 250g of leaves in 500ml of water for 30 minutes. Stir this thoroughly, then strain. Take 500ml of warm water and mix with 1 tablespoon of castille soap. Add soap mixture to the elder water, spray as needed. Note: Set your sprayer to a coarse or large droplet setting as this mixture will tend to plug a fine setting

[Millymollymandy]

Thanks, I know what savon de Marseilles is. I wonder if you can use washing up liquid though as that is good for killing aphids anyway. I guess the soap is to make the liquid adhere to the leaves isn't it. Now I have to see if I can find enough elderberry leaves..... !!!

[Muddypause]

I was reading recently that detergent and soap is effective against aphids (and maybe other things, too) because it destroys their waxy outer covering.

[Millymollymandy]

I have always used washing up liquid and water squirted on green/blackfly. My mum taught me that. Helps if you squidge them at the same time as spraying if you can. It's great fun - you get green sludgy soapy fingers!

[Wombat]

Ewww