Wait, Why the Heck Are People Hanging Bars of Soap in Their Yards? Pest Pros Explain

Key Points

Gardeners try hanging soap to deter pests because it’s eco-friendly and humane.

Soap bars may temporarily repel rodents but are ineffective against insects.

Physical barriers and natural substances like diatomaceous earth work better long-term.

People who take the time to grow a garden are typically also the kind of people who care about nature and their impact on it. So if there’s word of a new eco-friendly and humane way to deter pests, many gardeners are willing to try it.

The latest natural pest control trend we’ve been seeing has arrived in the form of a hanging bar of soap. But does hanging a bar of soap in your yard actually do anything in the way of pest control? Here’s the theory behind this approach, the verdict on its effectiveness, and some alternative natural pest control methods to try.

Meet the Experts

Jeff Schumacher is a second-generation owner of All-Safe Pest & Termite in Texas.

Damian Marcello is an associate certified entomologist at Fox Pest Control.

Why Hang a Bar of Soap in the Yard?

Damian Marcello is an associate certified entomologist at Fox Pest Control, and he’s a big skeptic of the hanging bar of soap pest control method. But still, he explains the theory behind it.

“The idea seems to be that the scent would deter pests by confusing some of their signals or overwhelming their senses,” Marcello says.

Does It Work?

Jeff Schumacher is the owner of All-Safe Pest & Termite in Texas, and he says there is actually some logic behind the hanging bar of soap theory. But it does have its limitations.

“Using soap is a legitimate way to keep some pests away from gardens, but it doesn’t work for all pests,” he says. “Irish Spring soap is a common go-to for gardeners to repel pests. It does work, to a degree. It’s a temporary solution and most effective on pests like rabbits, squirrels, and rodents. The strong scent deters them, at least temporarily.”

But he notes that, as far as insects go, the bar of soap is pretty useless. And according to Marcello, even if you shave the bar of soap and scatter it around your garden, its efficacy is still very low for keeping the pests at bay. As soon as there’s a rainfall, the soap shavings will quickly deteriorate.

4 Better Eco-Friendly Ways to Repel PestsSpray the Soap Instead

If you want to harness the power of soap for insect control, Schumacher says spraying a diluted solution on your plants is a much better way to go. Just keep in mind that it requires consistency.

“A diluted soap solution sprayed on plants can help deter aphids, but it’s not a long-term solution and needs to be reapplied frequently since it washes away,” he says.

Set Up a Physical Barrier

Credit: LAWaterhousePhotography / Getty Images

According to Marcello, making sure deer and rabbits can’t even access your garden in the first place is a much more effective solution than hanging a bar of soap.

“The best way to repel pests is to provide physical barriers,” he says. “I’d recommend raised gardens, fencing, or mesh tents. All can be effective for a variety of pests.”

And if you’re dealing with a ground mole issue, you can even install an underground barrier around your garden to keep them out. This involves digging a two-foot-deep trench and filling it with wire mesh.

Apply Diatomaceous Earth

Another one of Schumacher’s go-to suggestions for keeping bugs from feasting on your plant’s leaves is sprinkling diatomaceous earth around them. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is made from fossilized remains of small aquatic organisms named diatoms. This natural substance won’t harm birds or other animals, but when bugs come across it, the sharp particles damage their exoskeletons.

For optimal effectiveness, you must reapply diatomaceous earth frequently, especially after it rains.

Use Essential Oils

Applying essential oils in a garden is another effective way to naturally keep pests away, but it does come with limitations.

“The problem is that most oils only deter a small variety of pests,” Marcello says. “You need to do your research on which pests are bugging you and which oils work best for that specific pest.”

Read the original article on The Spruce