Farmers tackle pests with colas
 

I know this is an old article but I'd like anyone's input.. I think my Banana's said, "they are thirsty".. :^)

Re: Farmers tackle pests with colas
 

Sounds like using it as true "pesticide" would be incorrect but it is a natural way to attract ants that are the true heros of the day. Also it sounds like mixing up a corn or sugar syrup yourself would work too. It is just Colas come premixed.
The cola companies should not be too upset, they are making sales after all. They just do not want their names associated with the "pesticide word. Using their cola to attract natural predators that love their cola, just like humans do, sounds like a green thing to me.

Re: Farmers tackle pests with colas
 

I found a link that discusses using sugar water to attract ladybugs and other beneficial inspects here in FL. http://stlucie.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/mas...n%20Plants.pdf (BTW, it also mentions the baking soda spray for fungus which a local nursery recommended (never tried to upsell me) so they might be onto something.) Simple syrup is cheaper than Coke.

Re: Farmers tackle pests with colas
 

It might refer to the Phosphorous Acid in Cola. Phosphorous Acid is used as a fungistat to fight Late Blight in potato and tomato crops. It aids to fight of brown algae which might cause root rot.
But seriously, how much cola are we talking here? I better have a soda myself instead of sharing it with my plants ;)

Re: Farmers tackle pests with colas
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard (Post 232131) Significant quantities of sodium will maim or kill most plants.

I think I'd wouldn't mess w/ Baking Soda in quantity.. :^)

Re: Farmers tackle pests with colas
 

I haven't and don't plan to do so. Recommended was 1 T per gallon for here; I found a guy in zone 7 (MD) who upped it to 2 T before the 90 degree weather set in than backed off to 1 T. I did maybe 1 tsp. in a quart in what I sprayed this afternoon and we're watering now. I was stunned to think that too much of a pantry ingredient could damage plants but I have seen what too much dish soap does so I'm a believer.

Re: Farmers tackle pests with colas
 

So what does to much Dish Soap do? :^)

Re: Farmers tackle pests with colas
 

IME, it suffocates plants because surfactants take over. 1 T per gallon is all you should use--more than that and you're borrowing trouble IMO. Several years ago I mixed a 4x dose and lost plants. Better to retreat daily with a weak solution of "friendly stuff" than 1 big spray of "I'm sick of the bugs and stuff".

Re: Farmers tackle pests with colas
 

Is that cause it has the antibacterial stuff in it or does that matter?

Re: Farmers tackle pests with colas
 

My favorite was Sunlight without any extras--hey, I even used it to shampoo my hair and it got rid of psoriasis for me (I have a very mild case and limp hair--this gave it body) but I can't find it any longer. I now use just generic dollar store stuff these days without goodies. It's not as effective IMO but it helps.