Which Systemic Insecticide do you use

I am interested in hearing which systemic insecticide folks use for your pines and maples. Thanks.

Frank

None. I spot treat problems as and when they occur with a treatment that is the most appropriate for the problem. This is kinder on your pocket, you, the environment and very likely your trees too.

A-men, Kev. The key to a good pest management program is to use the least toxic alternative that works. Systemics are very powerful poisons and they tend to stay around for long periods of time. They do nothing that a much-less-toxic pesticide spray (or in the case of critters like spider mites, a hard spray of water) won't do.

In 99 cases out of 100 a spray that contains a pyrethrin -- applied just before dark -- will be all you need. And, since pyrethrins don't stick around, you're not offering any long-term damage to the environment or "good bugs." Just don't spray around a fish tank.

For caterpillars, a bacteria -- Bacillus Thuringiensis, or BT -- is a totally safe product.

There are times when only a systemic insecticide/miticide will do the trick. I don't spray indiscriminately, only the plant that has the problem. I have been using Orthenex for a long time. It usually works, with minimal side effects. There seems to be a lot of concern that something like Orthenex is toxic, but it is only toxic to humans if used carelessly. I have not found it to be toxic to plants. On the other hand, when I tried one of those new, supposedly non-toxic sprays, it killed several bonsai.
I suspect the efficacy of various insecticides may be different in different locations. Try a few brands and see what works best for you.
Iris

I am not convinced that systemic insecticides do not affect the growth of Mycorrhiza. I did some applications (Bayer) on Conifers ( a few Procumbens and 1 pine) and broadleaved trees. The broadleaved trees were pest free and did fine. The Conifers DID NOT MAKE IT. They slowly declined and eventually died. The soil of those trees was a bit compacted, so I can imagine the trees had been supported by yhe Mycorrhiza growth in the root system. That's just a thought.
I decided then not to use the systemic insecticide any longer, especially not on conifers. We do not have a Beatle problem here in SWFL or comparable applications to rely on systemics used on pines. And btw, the BAYER brand will not fight spidermites anyway..which I was not aware of when I initially used it. Oh well..

-dorothy

Dorothy, you are committing the fallacy known as post hoc, ergo propter hoc; after this, therefore because of this. An insecticide is not a fungicide, & has no demonstrated or proven effect on mycorrhiza that I know of. The soil compaction or some other problem undoubtedly caused the demise of your conifers.
Iris

dorothy7774 wrote: We do not have a Beatle problem here in SWFL

So pleased to hear it, Dorothy - those pesky Scousers seem have gotten everywhere else over the years!


Sorry - gentle leg pull. I am forever in your debt for introducing me to the movie "Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood" which I hadn't watched until one of your other posts. Keep up the movie tips and more importantly keep up the brilliant bonsai

bonsaisr wrote:Dorothy, you are committing the fallacy known as post hoc, ergo propter hoc; after this, therefore because of this. An insecticide is not a fungicide, & has no demonstrated or proven effect on mycorrhiza that I know of. The soil compaction or some other problem undoubtedly caused the demise of your conifers.
Iris

Thanks Iris, I did not think either the Bayer Systemic was a fungicide. However, the systemic is absorbed by the roots and that's when I don't know for sure that the systemic DID NOT hurt the trees. I will not use it on my conifers any more. I have other conifers which are in a similar soil for the last 3 years, they did not change a bit. The ones I treated started to show signs of distress about 4 weeks after the application. This is just what I experienced in my backyard. Perhaps the neighbors' dogs got on the benches and selectively decorated the trees..I don't know.

Anyway, always appreciate your input.

-dorothy

fiona wrote:

dorothy7774 wrote: We do not have a Beatle problem here in SWFL

So pleased to hear it, Dorothy - those pesky Scousers seem have gotten everywhere else over the years!


Sorry - gentle leg pull. I am forever in your debt for introducing me to the movie "Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood" which I hadn't watched until one of your other posts. Keep up the movie tips and more importantly keep up the brilliant bonsai

You are a sport, Fiona, sister! Yeah, I meant beetle..sorry

-dorothy

I have also used orthenex with very good results on quince, maple, elms ect...all deciduous though. Never tried on a conifer.

Acephate is the insecticide, triforine is the fungicide in orthenex. I use this every few weeks, or as needed always with a drop of oil & dish soap. On weeks I do not use insecticide I use a quick & easy weekly spray of some soap, and a drop of oil. Seems to work fine with no ill impact to the plants. In Oklahoma the aphids never take a break. Chaenomeles seem to be plagued year round. This winter I will be adding a 30:1 mix of lime sulfur/water to all trees as a dormant spray.

Hope this helps.
Neil