Subject: Re: "Pot. Salts of fatty acids" (was insecticidal soap
From: wtmorgan@pilot.msu.edu (Bill Morgan)
Organization: Michigan State University
Date: Mon, 01 Sep 1997 22:07:54 -0400
Message-ID: <MOD$970901.13535@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$970822.18666@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$970822.22664@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$970826.18701@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$970901.7766@rec.gardens.ecosystems>


In article <MOD$970901.7766@rec.gardens.ecosystems>,
tgrock@tiger.towson.edu (Douglas Rockwell) wrote:

> Someone said:
> : > Safer's ins. soap does not contain pyrethrins (or pyrethrum, which I
> : > believe is the natural form); its active ingredient is simply
> "potassium
> : > salts of fatty acids" (from the label.) Maybe you have a combination
>
> Get out your old organic chemistry book; this is simply a formal
> description of SOFT SOAP!!!!!

Of course. Safer's is truth in labelling.

Soap.

Soft soaps work better than hard soaps or detergents for insecticides.
Also, they are short chain fatty acids, which work better than long chaind
FA's.

[snip]

> Biodegradable detergent examples are: alkyl sulfates, ethoxylates and
> their sulfates, alkylbenzenesulfonates. They work better than soap in
> hard water.
Which brings up a good point. Safer's soap is well, soap. Hard water
reduces some of it's effectiveness. Since you mix the soap with water prior
to application, soft water (or distilled) is prefereable. Not that hard
water *won't* work, you just get more bang for your buck otherwise.

Regards,
Bill

--
Bill Morgan
wtmorgan@pilot.msu.edu
Center for Room Temperature Confusion