Pesticides: The good and the bad!
Imidacloprid is a man made insecticide also known as Merit®. It is used as a soil, seed or foliar treatment on vegetables, fruits, pecans and turf. Imidacloprid is the active ingredient is absorbed by the plants roots into its leaves and stems. This insecticide is used to control sucking insects, soil insects, whiteflies and turf insects. Imidacloprid is derived from natural nicotine found in tobacco. Even though it's Nicotine derived it is still synthetic and may pose health risks! Imidacloprid is used worldwide and was first used in Europe and Japan in 1990. Imidacloprid has no effect on mites or nematodes. This insecticide is manufactured by Bayer® as Bayer Advanced Fruit, Citrus and Vegetable Insect Control. A 32 Ounce bottle will treat 640 Square Feet of area or 9 fruit trees. The product retails for around $20.00 as of May, 2014.
You can very often avoid using Imidacloprid if you alternate weekly spraying of a variety of organic nutritional supplements and insecticides. On citrus trees you might need to use it once a year if all else fails.
Pyrethrum More than 200 years ago the people of central Asia discovered that dried, crushed flowers of certain chrysanthemums were toxic to insects. During the early 1800’s "insect powder" was used to control flea and body lice infestations by French soldiers. Since then, pyrethrum has been used in many forms for effective, low human toxicity insect control. One problem in using natural pyrethrum is the fact that it is not stable in sunlight. Natural pyrethrum is expensive and is seldom used in commercial agriculture. Pyrethrum breaks down in about twelve hours after spraying. Synthetic forms derived from pyrethrum are called pyrethroids. Many brands are on the market. These insecticides are stable in sunlight, are more economical and are effective at lower concentrations. The pyrethroids can be effective for more than a week. You may see labels using the name Permethrin and this refers to the synthetic form not the natural safer Pyrethrum. Pyrethrum is a relatively low toxicity natural insecticide and since it breaks down quickly, generally has a low environmental impact. This natural insecticide will kill any insect it touches. That means the good ones like bees and ladybugs. Be sure to keep this in mind if you use it! The only good news here is that because it breaks down quickly it won’t continue to kill. Many believe that beneficial insects like bees and others are able to detect the presence of pyrethrum and stay away from fogged areas and sprayed plants. This repellent ability is especially valuable in controlling mosquitoes. Remember it kills bees just as dead as aphids, ants, beetles, leafhoppers and others. A 20 ounce ready to use aerosol spray typically sells for about $24.95
Caution: Some people may be allergic to pyrethrum.
Natural pyrethrum may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Sneezing is often the first noticeable symptom. If you sense any allergic reactions to it, don't use it.
Always read the label on any insecticide regardless of how safe you may be told it is!
The label is the law!! Not sold in all States
Pepe's Tip: Consider using only OMRI® approved pesticides when possible. Today many fungicides are also OMRI® approved. OMRI® means Organic Materials Review Institute. Products that have the OMRI® seal on the package have been tested to strict organic standards and are a smart choice.
Your goal as a grower should be to eliminate unwanted pests in your organic garden. The OMRI® seal is found on more products everyday and that's because people are demanding safer products for themselves and the environment. We can eliminate pests, without leaving potentially harmful residuals. It's up to us to help make positive changes by demanding safer products for all! Saving beneficial insects around the garden and orchard is smart so choose wisely.
You can very often avoid using Imidacloprid if you alternate weekly spraying of a variety of organic nutritional supplements and insecticides. On citrus trees you might need to use it once a year if all else fails.
Pyrethrum More than 200 years ago the people of central Asia discovered that dried, crushed flowers of certain chrysanthemums were toxic to insects. During the early 1800’s "insect powder" was used to control flea and body lice infestations by French soldiers. Since then, pyrethrum has been used in many forms for effective, low human toxicity insect control. One problem in using natural pyrethrum is the fact that it is not stable in sunlight. Natural pyrethrum is expensive and is seldom used in commercial agriculture. Pyrethrum breaks down in about twelve hours after spraying. Synthetic forms derived from pyrethrum are called pyrethroids. Many brands are on the market. These insecticides are stable in sunlight, are more economical and are effective at lower concentrations. The pyrethroids can be effective for more than a week. You may see labels using the name Permethrin and this refers to the synthetic form not the natural safer Pyrethrum. Pyrethrum is a relatively low toxicity natural insecticide and since it breaks down quickly, generally has a low environmental impact. This natural insecticide will kill any insect it touches. That means the good ones like bees and ladybugs. Be sure to keep this in mind if you use it! The only good news here is that because it breaks down quickly it won’t continue to kill. Many believe that beneficial insects like bees and others are able to detect the presence of pyrethrum and stay away from fogged areas and sprayed plants. This repellent ability is especially valuable in controlling mosquitoes. Remember it kills bees just as dead as aphids, ants, beetles, leafhoppers and others. A 20 ounce ready to use aerosol spray typically sells for about $24.95
Caution: Some people may be allergic to pyrethrum.
Natural pyrethrum may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Sneezing is often the first noticeable symptom. If you sense any allergic reactions to it, don't use it.
Always read the label on any insecticide regardless of how safe you may be told it is!
The label is the law!! Not sold in all States
Pepe's Tip: Consider using only OMRI® approved pesticides when possible. Today many fungicides are also OMRI® approved. OMRI® means Organic Materials Review Institute. Products that have the OMRI® seal on the package have been tested to strict organic standards and are a smart choice.
Your goal as a grower should be to eliminate unwanted pests in your organic garden. The OMRI® seal is found on more products everyday and that's because people are demanding safer products for themselves and the environment. We can eliminate pests, without leaving potentially harmful residuals. It's up to us to help make positive changes by demanding safer products for all! Saving beneficial insects around the garden and orchard is smart so choose wisely.
Sometimes you need powerful weapons against garden pests!
Not sold in all States
Pyrethrum is a relatively low toxicity natural insecticide and since it breaks down quickly, generally has a low environmental impact. This natural insecticide will kill any insect it touches. That means the good ones like bees and ladybugs. Be sure to keep this in mind if you use it! The only good news here is that because it breaks down quickly it won’t continue to kill. Many believe that beneficial insects like bees and others are able to detect the presence of pyrethrum and stay away from fogged areas and sprayed plants. This repellent ability is especially valuable in controlling mosquitoes. Remember it kills bees just as dead as aphids, ants, beetles, leafhoppers and others.
