Wilko's houseplant bug control spray- what is in it?

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by Selleri, Sep 4, 2022.

  1. Selleri

    Selleri Koala

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  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    It should be illegal to not list the ingredients just in case someone drinks it

    At a guess I'd say soapy water with a small amount of feed.
    Usual rubbish.
     
  3. Selleri

    Selleri Koala

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    I also think it is a requirement to have ingredients listed on the label, especially as the product claims to be "bug control". I have emailed Wilko to ask.

    Even soapy water should have the ingredients as it would be a detergent... unless the amount of soap is so low that it doesn't count as one.

    Unhelpfully, the bottle tells me that in case of accidental exposure I should have the bottle or label in hand when getting medical advise. :doh:

    Well, I'll test it on my healthy aphid population on Costus.
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      I find that equally annoying and suspect it might be rather ineffective, as you say it's 'pesticide free' so how could it possibly work. Soap is the obvious ingredient making it rather an expensive way of buying dilute fairy liquid.

      I have seen other products without an ingredient list, that expensive G4 Grazers lily beetle spray for example, which I was suckered into buying. I assume they don't want to advertise their ingredients in case of ridicule.
       
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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        They don't tell you the ingredients because you wouldn't buy it if you knew. :roflol:
         
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        • Selleri

          Selleri Koala

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          Well,
          after a few emails back and forth plus a rather less positive customer feedback, Michael from Wilko has finally informed me that the mystery spray contains Sodium lauryl ether sulphate. It took them two months and various contacts to their R&D and QA departments to find that out. I received a MSDS sheet (which they call COSHH sheet which is not the same thing), copy of the first part is below. Apparently there is less than 1% of the stuff :biggrin:

          Good Morning,

          Thank you for contacting Wilko Customer Care and for letting us know about your experience when using our Wilko Indoor Plant Pest Defence.

          We have received a response from our Quality Assurance department, we have the answer to your question in regards to the item:

          “The supplier has stated that the COSSH sheet will provide any information the customer needs with regards to ingredients”

          Looking at the data sheet contains Sodium lauryl ether sulphate.

          We hope this answers your query. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us again.

          Kind regards,


          upload_2022-11-4_10-58-35.png upload_2022-11-4_10-58-35.png
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            Good job you did need to find out fast because maybe a kid had drunk some of it.
            Surely the information should be on the label.

            I think I said that once already. :biggrin:
             
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            • Selleri

              Selleri Koala

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              Yes, most reassuring to know that the liquid contains less than 1% of soap. I still don't know what else it contains, only the soap part. Non- hazardous chemicals don't need to be listed in a MSDS- so in essence it could be anything. My bet is a drop of silicone, a dollop of colourant and the rest of it, water. :heehee:
               
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              • infradig

                infradig Total Gardener

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                Remember Google is your friend....
                "
                What is sodium lauryl ether sulphate used for?



                [​IMG]

                It is widely used in many personal care and home care products like Shampoo, Bubble Bath, Shower Gel, Face Wash, Dish Wash, Liquid Detergent and Hand Wash. It is also used in the printing and dyeing industry, petroleum and leather industry as lubricant, dyeing agent, cleanser, foaming agent and degreasing agent"

                Fairy 'nuff?
                 
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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  I was going to suggest it would probably be more use in the shower.o

                  You forgot to mention insecticide.
                   
                • infradig

                  infradig Total Gardener

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                  That might infer that it would be harmful to insects??
                   
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                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                    I very much doubt it.
                     
                  • noisette47

                    noisette47 Total Gardener

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                    Loosely on the same subject, the French have been mugged for the last couple of years for €50 a pop for herbicides based on 'acide pelargonique'. Geranium acid. Right. It doesn't even begin to trouble a weed...annual or perennial. It's dolled up in containers made to look exactly like the old Glyphosate-formula Round-Up. But of course, glypho is banned.
                    Lord knows how much this con has netted for the chemical companies, but isn't it time the consumer organisations put a stop to the blatant sharp-practice?
                     
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                    • infradig

                      infradig Total Gardener

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                      It seems Anacardic acid, derived from Geranium, has a 'slimming effect' upon Colorado beetle larvae, so who knows what else it might do!!
                       
                    • Selleri

                      Selleri Koala

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                      Don't worry, the insects will be safe. According to the MSDS:

                      upload_2022-11-4_19-59-50.png

                      :biggrin:

                      I find it a tad worrying that a product that is marketed for "pest control" and that claims it can be used on edible plants without any safety period before consuming, does not have an ingredient list. I have stressed it to Wilko that my (imaginary) small children will be eating the herbs sprayed with this product so I do want to have the ingredients list.

                      Well, I'll have a great time composing an online review. :)
                       
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