How to Use insecticidal in a Sentence

insecticidal

adjective
  • If that’s has too much work, treat an insecticidal soap or neem oil.
    — Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 28 Apr. 2023
  • An insecticidal soap spray appears to keep the mites in check.
    — Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 25 Dec. 2021
  • Nymphs can be controlled with insecticidal soap, pyrethrum, rotenone or neem.
    — Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, 11 July 2017
  • Aphids can be removed with a strong stream of water or insecticidal soap.
    — Jodi Bay, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2023
  • Scrape off scale with a fingernail, or if that’s too icky, try insecticidal soap or neem oil.
    — Arricca Elin Sansone, House Beautiful, 22 Jan. 2020
  • To get rid of them, repot the plant, disturb the soil, soak the pot, or use insecticidal soap.
    — Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 July 2025
  • Or spray with an insecticidal soap.
    — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
  • If pests do pop up, use insecticidal soap or neem oil to eliminate the problem.
    — Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2024
  • Control aphids feeding in new shoots with an insecticidal soap spray.
    — Tom MacCubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, 28 Apr. 2018
  • Spray the foliage with insecticidal soap, making sure to soak the tops and bottoms of all leaves.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2024
  • If the soil is overly dry, spider mites may attack, but a mild insecticidal soap treats these pests.
    — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2023
  • If necessary, spray plants with an insecticidal soap, and as a last resort try neem oil.
    — The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, 26 Jan. 2018
  • Control aphids feeding in new shoots with an insecticidal soap spray.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
  • So, the neem or insecticidal soap must coat the underside of the leaves at just the right time in the season to kill it.
    — oregonlive, 12 Nov. 2022
  • There are insecticidal soaps on the market that can be used to control mealybugs.
    — Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 27 Dec. 2020
  • To control them, use an insecticidal soap, but be sure to spray underneath the leaves.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
  • This is also a good time to check the crepe myrtle for signs of pests or disease and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Spray plants with neem oil, spinosad, or insecticidal soap, though these products must contact the beetles to work.
    — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
  • Spray plants with neem oil, spinosad, or insecticidal soap, though these products must contact the beetles to work.
    — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
  • Wash off plant pests with a soapy solution or spray with an insecticidal soap as instructed.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
  • One example is to use an insecticidal soap to control aphids.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
  • Some gardeners wash them off and others use an insecticidal soap.
    — Tom MacCubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, 14 Apr. 2018
  • After the leaves dry, spray the aphids with direct hits of a commercial insecticidal soap.
    — oregonlive, 9 Aug. 2020
  • If insecticidal soap spray doesn't work, fill a clean pot with fresh and well-drained potting mix before repotting.
    — Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 31 Oct. 2022
  • Spraying the plant with water, or using insecticidal oils and soaps can be useful.
    — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2019
  • Use of a natural insecticidal soap spray may help if applied before blooms begin to open.
    — Tom MacCubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, 19 May 2018
  • Ahead, learn how to get rid of bugs on roses, how to make an insecticidal soap solution, and common mistakes to avoid.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Instead of spraying your foliage with this salt, use garden-safe products like neem oil or insecticidal soap.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 May 2025
  • Instead of spraying your foliage with this salt, use garden-safe products like neem oil or insecticidal soap.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Spray the entire plant with horticultural oil such as neem oil or insecticidal soap.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insecticidal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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