Tag: insecticide
-
Pyrethrum Natural Insecticide
I always try to use pyrethrum spray and Dipel over man-made insecticides. That said, my favourite method of pest control in the garden is to squish the BadCritters or eat the vegetables before they do. 🙂
My main target critter is aphids and caterpillars but it also controls thrips and whitefly.
Why do I use this spray?
Pyrethrum spray is made from the pyrethrum daisy and is a low toxic, natural product that breaks down quickly in sunlight. It is a non-systemic and only works on direct contact. This means you can choose when and where to spray with a known result.
Most if not all pyrethrum products use a enhancer additive called piperonyl butoxide. This has been found to reduce the insects’ capacity to process pyrethrum hence keeping it killing them for longer. Piperonyl butoxide is deemed to have a low toxicity to other organisms and quickly breaks down naturally.
As always, take care of yourself and others. Wear safety glasses, a mask and gloves when applying any garden spray. I always spray in the late evening after my bee friends have gone home.
Enjoy,
PK
Related Links:
- see my main page about BadCritters
- see more insecticide posts here
Please consider subscribing to get a weekly email summary of our posts.
[mc4wp_form id=”15771″]
Written by
·
-
Dipel Caterpillar Control
I don’t know why it has taken me so long to use this method of controlling that most common of gardening’s BadCritters, the pesky caterpillar.
Whilst I will still more often than not reach for the pyrethrum spray, Dipel has a place in my garden shed from now on. It comes in a powdered form and is not the bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis) itself but the crystalised toxins it produces. These toxins disrupt the caterpillars’ digestive tracts as they eat the leaves of your vegetables. They stop eating and starve to death.
You don’t need to worry about hurting bees and other GoodCritters with this spray though. They are in little danger as they don’t ingest enough of the toxins ie they are not munching the leaves.
It might take a few days for you to notice dead caterpillars and see the return of vigour to your leafy greens in particular. I spray every 10 days or so over the summer months.
As always, take care of yourself and others. Wear safety glasses, a mask and gloves when applying any garden spray.
I have you now BadCritter:
Enjoy,
PK
Related Links:
- see more insecticide posts here
Please consider subscribing to get a weekly email summary of our posts.
[mc4wp_form id=”15771″]
Written by
·