Non-Harmful Insecticide
 

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Hello banana friends!

I'm starting to run into a bit of an issue with small flying insects and wasps and hornets that seem to be attracted to the plant due to the before mentioned insects/bugs, and the perspiration of the plant. (food and water, I get it)

But while the wasps are annoying, the smaller flying and tiny crawling bugs are my biggest worry.

The gnats have appeared due to the close proximity of my compost bucket. There are many bugs in there.

But I was wondering, and to get to my final point, I'm looking for some kind of spray that will keep my plants safe and (mostly) free of bugs. (I know 100% is impossible) and also will not negatively effect the growth of the plant.

I love my nana babies, so I just want them to feel safe.

Re: Non-Harmful Insecticide
 

For the gnats in your compost get some "mosquito dunks" (donut shape or pellets are the same) You need to crumble up the donut shaped ones and apply them to your compost. They are made to kill mosquitos in water but will kill some other bugs too. They are a safe natural product that is an inert virus when dry that comes alive with moisture. The actual product you see in the package is dried corn cobs that hold the virus. Works great to stop mosquitos in ditches and other water bodies.
As far as other bugs you can spray a garlic water solution or hot pepper spray solution if you want a natural product.

Re: Non-Harmful Insecticide
 

I find a mixture of neem oil, a drop or two of soap (even if the package says soap isn't necessary) and water in a spray bottle works well. Have to be a bit careful though as the oil sheen on the leaves might increase burn risk if in hot sun.

I have also heard, but haven't yet tried, a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide (assuming 3% which I believe is the most common strength) and 3-4 parts water works well in some situations.

Hope you find something that works for you.

Re: Non-Harmful Insecticide
 

Another vote for neem oil,soap and water. I also use hydrogen peroxide ( very diluted)on the top layer of soil on my potted plants if a bug issue is getting out of hand.

Re: Non-Harmful Insecticide
 

Thank you guys! I went to the store and grabbed some Neem oil, 0-0-60, and rooting hormone. Sprayed the neem/soap/water mixture all over and some in my compost.

Have more to add, but I'm in a rush.

Thanks again guys.

Re: Non-Harmful Insecticide
 

Just curious how the neem oil worked? I know the concentrated cold pressed neem oil is what you want as the pre diluted version does not work well. I have a minor bug problem myself on my dwarf cavendish. Just wondering if the neem oil works well for this and does not harm the banana plants 😁

Thanks!

Re: Non-Harmful Insecticide
 

Well so far I've used the pre diluted version, and the wasps haven't built another nest on the leaves yet.

But I also have made more peace with the wasps coming over to get a lil drink-o-water and to eat the aphids.

They still give me the jumpy chills when they stare at me while Im standing there admiring my plant, but it's not too bad.

I had to shoot a bunch of Neem/dish soap/water down the petiole because I'm now having beetle problems. Those son of a guns ate a bit of one leaf, I grabbed him and put him in a container, then another one came up into the next cigar leaf and absolutely butchered it.

The leaf was HUGE too. (and probably delicious lol. I don't blame them for wanting to eat the fresh leaves coming out. They're soft, full of nutrients and water. Doesn't mean I don't resent them though lol)

But yeah so I shot a bunch down the petiole so they don't go down there on the next leaf. But we'll see.

Also I'm going to purchase some cold pressed Neem oil after this bottled mixture runs out.

I do believe in the neem. I make tea out of dried Neem leaves because one of my coworkers had cancer and used that to help her get better.

All our medicine comes from nature first, so wholistic medicine is a logical conclusion from anyone who wants to be self sufficent. Okay, done ranting lol.

Hope this helps!

Re: Non-Harmful Insecticide
 

Oh man, don't even get me started on big pharma. You're totally right about nature's medicine. So, I have this issue with a new leaf that opened up a few days ago. It's huge, but the next day, I found little black spots with small cuts on each one. It really pisses me off, but other than that, the new leaf looks great, and there's another one coming in right behind it. I have some copper fungicide, but I'm holding off on using it. I might just go grab some bioactive 3-1 or some cold-pressed neem oil concentrate. I usually use a 5-1-1 fish emulsion, but that doesn't help with bugs, even though the plants love it. It's kind of a double-edged sword. Oh, and I had to get an Orbit Defender to keep the raccoons away after using it. It's been super effective and fun to watch. I'm also thinking about adding some Power Si in the future to add silica and improve the strength of the leaves. I've heard that this helps with resistance to bugs because the leaves are stronger.