Any good systemic insecticides?

nucci60 · 10-02-2008, 10:44 AM

I amm starting to bring in newly dug and other potted bananas. They are already starting with the spider mite problems. Are there any good systemic insecticides I can use instead of spraying all the time? Last winter I tried washing down the leaves and the "soapy" water spray method, but they always returned.

Richard · 10-02-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nucci60

I amm starting to bring in newly dug and other potted bananas. They are already starting with the spider mite problems. Are there any good systemic insecticides I can use instead of spraying all the time? Last winter I tried washing down the leaves and the "soapy" water spray method, but they always returned.

You probably know that systemics are never used on fruiting plants, otherwise you (or someone) will eat the poison.

I have yet to find a systemic that advertises control of spider mites for more than 4 to 6 weeks. For example, try this search: site:www.bayeradvanced.com mites systemic

Chironex · 10-02-2008, 12:08 PM

You might consider beneficial insects. Here is a link:
Natural Organic Pest Control Products from the Carolina Bug Farm

damaclese · 10-02-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chironex

You might consider beneficial insects. Here is a link:
Natural Organic Pest Control Products from the Carolina Bug Farm

thanks scot im going to order some of the bugs for my gardan for nexst year i have spider mite realy bad perticulerly on my roses i have tried the spraing them off with water thing and its not at all afectiv

nucci60 · 10-04-2008, 10:40 AM

I am getting replies, but they won't come up on the screen. Help!

JCDerrick · 10-04-2008, 01:23 PM

I tried the Predator mites, and they work OK if you have a bad infestation, but they don't do much for mites in small numbers. Plus they are pretty expensive.

I have yet to find a really effective way of controlling spider mites - other than spraying them off with water every few weeks (at least it's not chemicals). Aphids are the same way, and even though chemicals always kill them for me, they bounce back so fast it's impossible to keep them under control at times.

This year I'm going to use Neem since everyone swears by it. Lately I've had a big problem with mealy bugs (especially on my pothos). So they are on my "insects of evil" list.

Chironex · 10-04-2008, 02:39 PM

We had a thread previously about remedies for these issues.
See this thread:
http://www.bananas.org/f2/spider-mites-4943.html#post41447

If this link doesn't work, just do a search for Diatomaceous Earth then find the thread "Spider Mites"

Richard · 10-04-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCDerrick

...
I have yet to find a really effective way of controlling spider mites - other than spraying them off with water every few weeks (at least it's not chemicals).

Water is a chemical, so I'm guessing you meant synthetic chemical. And even with those, spider mites can be tough "evil" bugs to get rid of. Neem oil kills them by suffocation -- the oil interferes with their ability to respirate. By the way, not all Neem oil products are 100% non-synthetic -- some are fortified with synthetic versions of Chrysanthemum oil. If this concerns you, read the label and the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) which most manufacturers post online.

JCDerrick · 10-04-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Water is a chemical, so I'm guessing you meant synthetic chemical. And even with those, spider mites can be tough "evil" bugs to get rid of. Neem oil kills them by suffocation -- the oil interferes with their ability to respirate. By the way, not all Neem oil products are 100% non-synthetic -- some are fortified with synthetic versions of Chrysanthemum oil. If this concerns you, read the label and the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) which most manufacturers post online.

Good point on the H20, I did indeed mean synthetics. Neem mostly makes nervous for two reasons. One, can't really spray it indoors, so you have to treat ahead of time. But that means protecting the plants from the sun after spraying. So hopefully I can do this without burning anything.

Once I bring them in, hopefully I can just use water the rest of the winter to fight things off. That's why I put the tarps up around the entire garage this year - won't have to worry about spraying water onto the drywall this year.

Richard · 10-04-2008, 05:59 PM

What is stopping you from spraying Neem oil indoors?

buzzwinder · 10-04-2008, 06:01 PM

Thanks Richard, I was going to ask that, as Neem is recommended for indoor use as far as I know!!!

JCDerrick · 10-04-2008, 06:30 PM

The smell for starters, LOL - the wife doesn't much care for that aroma. But the garage and GH's would be OK - I might keep that an option after all then.

nucci60 · 10-06-2008, 01:40 PM

Thanks everyone!

millermackenzie · 10-06-2008, 05:37 PM

In field tests Admire Pro beats everything else short of Temek (which will hurt you in ways you cannot imagine).

If you are solely interested in the holistic route:

Step 1: Spray, then Drench @ 1% Hydrogen Peroxide @ 72 hours for 12 days.

Step 2: Spray, Dr. Bronners Pepermint Soap @ 10% @ 72 hours for 12 days.

Step 3: 1 part cheapest Antispetic mouthwash you can find to 1 part low TDS H2O (Distilled Water or if you have a rain harvesting method this is even lower in TDS than distilled).

Then take one can of WD40 and spray it into the mixture of Antispetic/Low TDS H2O to act as a binding agent, usually 1.5 - 2%. Repeat Folilar spray as needed (which should be every 10 days in temperate climates and every 5 in sub tropics.)

Hope this helps~!

Kind regards,

John

millermackenzie · 10-06-2008, 05:40 PM

Forgot to mention, the Antispetic/H2O/WD40 is far more effective than Neem and gasses off volatiles quickly.

Shake vigorously in the sprayer before each use, keeps for months~!

sandy0225 · 10-07-2008, 12:16 PM

If they're not fruiting type bananas, ornamentals like bordelon, basjoo, velutinas, ornatas and e. maurelii can be sprayed with avid for spider mites. You can't use it on edibles. Also on ornamentals, you can use marathon systemic for aphids, whiteflies and other bad crawlies. But again, not on fruitings.
The good thing about both of these is that Marathon is systemic, so it lasts a long time. Avid is translaminar, which means if you hit the top of the leaves good, it goes through to the bottom where the bugs actually are. You don't really want to use either one more than once a year so that your bugs don't get resistant, then even these won't work.
The down side, both are expensive!~

Richard · 10-09-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandy0225

...
The good thing about both of these is that Marathon is systemic, so it lasts a long time. Avid is translaminar, which means if you hit the top of the leaves good, it goes through to the bottom where the bugs actually are. You don't really want to use either one more than once a year so that your bugs don't get resistant, then even these won't work.
The down side, both are expensive!~

Out here in San Diego County we were invaded two years ago by a tiny moth that looks a lot like white fly (also a tiny moth) but doesn't make the gooey nests. This pest also transmits a troublesome tomato virus. Well it also started having a great time with the local dandelions and also the fresh flower industry here. The flower industry sprayed like crazy with pesticides, and now the pest is immune to several, including Avid. The local tomato farmers about had a fit because now they have to spray weekly with a mixture that will drive the bugs away and not hurt the tomatoes (some use a mixture of pyrethrins and aromatic oils). I'm having to do the same thing on my Fuchsias. In a fortunate turn of events, only one of my tomato plants is of interest to these rascals. They devastated my melons, though.

10-02-2008, 10:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
nucci60 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 220 BananaBucks : 80,614 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 39 Times in 28 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Any good systemic insecticides? I amm starting to bring in newly dug and other potted bananas. They are already starting with the spider mite problems. Are there any good systemic insecticides I can use instead of spraying all the time? Last winter I tried washing down the leaves and the "soapy" water spray method, but they always returned.

10-02-2008, 12:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 113,784 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: Any good systemic insecticides? You might consider beneficial insects. Here is a link: Natural Organic Pest Control Products from the Carolina Bug Farm __________________ Scot

10-04-2008, 10:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
nucci60 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 220 BananaBucks : 80,614 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 39 Times in 28 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Any good systemic insecticides? I am getting replies, but they won't come up on the screen. Help!

10-04-2008, 01:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
JCDerrick KeoniKale JCDerrick's Photo Gallery Location: Lexington, SC Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: John Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 324 BananaBucks : 69,071 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 68 Times Was Thanked 126 Times in 73 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 15 Times	Re: Any good systemic insecticides? I tried the Predator mites, and they work OK if you have a bad infestation, but they don't do much for mites in small numbers. Plus they are pretty expensive. I have yet to find a really effective way of controlling spider mites - other than spraying them off with water every few weeks (at least it's not chemicals). Aphids are the same way, and even though chemicals always kill them for me, they bounce back so fast it's impossible to keep them under control at times. This year I'm going to use Neem since everyone swears by it. Lately I've had a big problem with mealy bugs (especially on my pothos). So they are on my "insects of evil" list. __________________ *Malama 'Aina* Normal Jan. Low: 34°F, Normal Jul High: 92°F Coldest: 16-20°F, Warmest: 98-103°F Annual Precip: 48 inches

10-04-2008, 02:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 113,784 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: Any good systemic insecticides? We had a thread previously about remedies for these issues. See this thread: http://www.bananas.org/f2/spider-mites-4943.html#post41447 If this link doesn't work, just do a search for Diatomaceous Earth then find the thread "Spider Mites" __________________ Scot Last edited by Chironex : 10-04-2008 at 02:48 PM. Reason: link wouldn't work

Members currently in the chatroom: 0
	The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009. No one is currently using the chat.

10-04-2008, 05:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 456,531 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,541 Times in 4,721 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Any good systemic insecticides? What is stopping you from spraying Neem oil indoors? __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

10-04-2008, 06:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
buzzwinder buzzwinder's Photo Gallery Location: Loves Park, Il. Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bill Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 871 BananaBucks : 11,367 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,043 Times Was Thanked 846 Times in 354 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,155 Times	Re: Any good systemic insecticides? Thanks Richard, I was going to ask that, as Neem is recommended for indoor use as far as I know!!! __________________ Bill for my friend

10-04-2008, 06:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
JCDerrick KeoniKale JCDerrick's Photo Gallery Location: Lexington, SC Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: John Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 324 BananaBucks : 69,071 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 68 Times Was Thanked 126 Times in 73 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 15 Times	Re: Any good systemic insecticides? The smell for starters, LOL - the wife doesn't much care for that aroma. But the garage and GH's would be OK - I might keep that an option after all then. __________________ *Malama 'Aina* Normal Jan. Low: 34°F, Normal Jul High: 92°F Coldest: 16-20°F, Warmest: 98-103°F Annual Precip: 48 inches

10-06-2008, 01:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
nucci60 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 220 BananaBucks : 80,614 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 39 Times in 28 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Any good systemic insecticides? Thanks everyone!

10-06-2008, 05:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
millermackenzie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 23 BananaBucks : 6,690 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 33 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Any good systemic insecticides? In field tests Admire Pro beats everything else short of Temek (which will hurt you in ways you cannot imagine). If you are solely interested in the holistic route: Step 1: Spray, then Drench @ 1% Hydrogen Peroxide @ 72 hours for 12 days. Step 2: Spray, Dr. Bronners Pepermint Soap @ 10% @ 72 hours for 12 days. Step 3: 1 part cheapest Antispetic mouthwash you can find to 1 part low TDS H2O (Distilled Water or if you have a rain harvesting method this is even lower in TDS than distilled). Then take one can of WD40 and spray it into the mixture of Antispetic/Low TDS H2O to act as a binding agent, usually 1.5 - 2%. Repeat Folilar spray as needed (which should be every 10 days in temperate climates and every 5 in sub tropics.) Hope this helps~! Kind regards, John

10-06-2008, 05:40 PM	#15 (permalink)
millermackenzie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 23 BananaBucks : 6,690 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 33 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Any good systemic insecticides? Forgot to mention, the Antispetic/H2O/WD40 is far more effective than Neem and gasses off volatiles quickly. Shake vigorously in the sprayer before each use, keeps for months~!

10-07-2008, 12:16 PM	#16 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana zone 5 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,718 BananaBucks : 343,849 Feedback: 31 / 97% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 1,801 Times in 682 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: Any good systemic insecticides? If they're not fruiting type bananas, ornamentals like bordelon, basjoo, velutinas, ornatas and e. maurelii can be sprayed with avid for spider mites. You can't use it on edibles. Also on ornamentals, you can use marathon systemic for aphids, whiteflies and other bad crawlies. But again, not on fruitings. The good thing about both of these is that Marathon is systemic, so it lasts a long time. Avid is translaminar, which means if you hit the top of the leaves good, it goes through to the bottom where the bugs actually are. You don't really want to use either one more than once a year so that your bugs don't get resistant, then even these won't work. The down side, both are expensive!~ __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)