Diluted Dawn dish soap hurt ladybugs?

[frdnicholas]

I have read or heard somewhere that a diluted solution of Dawn dish liquid can be effective against aphids. On one of my plum trees I have aphids, but also have baby ladybugs and have released adult lady bugs. Will the dish liquid be safe for them?

[applestar]

Soapy water will be just as harmful to the ladybugs, particularly the larvae which eat hundreds of aphids per day. Dish soap will also be dehydrating and will destroy the ladybug eggs.

If you already have the Garden Patrol on the job, I would let them do their work. They are reproducing which means self sustaining aphid control. Other predators are probably working too, even if you have not seen them.

[frdnicholas]

Thank you; I appreciate your help and will leave the trees alone to let the ladybugs do their job.