White oil

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White oil is an insecticide spray used for controlling a wide range of insect pests in the garden. The spray works by blocking the breathing pores of insects, causing suffocation and death. It is effective in the control of aphids, scale, mealybug, mites, citrus leaf miner, and smooth skinned caterpillars. [1] "White oil" is also an alternative name for mineral oil. [2]

Contents

Commercial organic pesticide

White oil is sold commercially as a petroleum oil-based organic pesticide, in both a concentrate, [3] [4] [5] and ready-to-use spray bottle or can. [6] [7]

The term "horticultural oil" may be used to differentiate this petroleum oil-based product from homemade products using vegetable oil. [8]

DIY recipe

The quantities vary depending on the source, but a common concentrate typical mixture is 4 parts of vegetable oil (a non-mineral oil) to one part of liquid dish-washing soap/detergent (for washing by hand). [9] [10] [11] It may be blended in a mixer or shaken by hand in a jar or bottle until homogeneous to be stored. [12]

Use

Concentrates must be diluted before use at a ratio of 10–20 ml concentrate per litre of water and placed in a spray bottle or sprayer. [13] [10] [9] As with ready-to-use spray bottles or cans, the mixture is applied to all surfaces of a plant's leaves and stems. [8] [9] [10] [11]

All sources note that white oil should not be applied when temperatures above 25–30°C are expected, as this may cause the plant to "burn". [8] [9] [10] [11] [13]

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References

  1. ↑ "Pest Control" . Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  2. ↑ "White oil (noun)". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  3. ↑ "WHITE OIL INSECTICIDE 20-Litre (Petroleum Oil)". Specialist Sales Pty Limited. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  4. ↑ "Hortico White Oil". Bunnings. Bunnings Australia & New Zealand. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  5. ↑ "Searle's White Oil". Searle's Garden Products. JC & AT Searle Pty Ltd. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  6. ↑ "Hortico White Oil Fruit and Citrus 400g". Bunnings. Bunnings Australia & New Zealand. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  7. ↑ "Yates White Oil Aerosol 400g". Home Hardware. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 "Horticultural Oils". Gardening Australia. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Organic White Oil Recipe". Knox Community Gardens Society. Knox Community Gardens Society Inc. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Home Made Pest Remedies". Organic Gardener. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 "White Oil Recipe". Gardening Knowhow. Gardening Know How, LLC. 30 October 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  12. ↑ Mannaa, Amro. "food microbiology".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. 1 2 "How to use Searles White Oil" (PDF). Searle's Garden Products. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
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