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NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

I read all the articles that Tremor posted. Thank you again Steve. So is it a good insecticide? Says it is not synthetic and it even works better than neem! Says how many bad critters, eggs and larvae it can destroy. But there are a lot of points here about what it can harm besides the caterpillars and I seem to be confused on the half-life of the bacteria. It works great on apple trees but what about 1st year trees? And I guess it should be not used every time,perhaps switched with say sevin or neem oil. Another good thing is that it is non-carcenigenic

5/23/2007 9:24:39 AM

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I'm confused by the question(s).

I'll <write between the line> since we don't have quote options.

"I read all the articles that Tremor posted. Thank you again Steve. <You're welcome> So is it a good insecticide? <It's great for controlling caterpillars> Says it is not synthetic and it even works better than neem! <True> Says how many bad critters, eggs and larvae it can destroy. But there are a lot of points here about what it can harm besides the caterpillars and I seem to be confused on the half-life of the bacteria. <Bacteria are volatile. Meaning that all bio-systems are found in a natural balance. We can spike a bacterial population but it will always return to it's natural state in 2-3 weeks> It works great on apple trees but what about 1st year trees? <What about 1st year trees? Are you concerned about plant safety on young plants? They'll be fine> And I guess it should be not used every time, perhaps switched with say sevin or neem oil. <ALL pesticides should be rotated regardless of type or brand name to reduce the likelihood of resistance issues> Another good thing is that it is non-carcinogenic <None of the currently registered pesticides that we normally used are carcinogenic.>

5/23/2007 11:49:28 PM

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I've sold Conserve SC (Spinosad) for years to arborists who use it primarily for Eastern Tent & Gypsy Moth Caterpillars that pop up here & there in the Northeast. There aren't any other commercially viable pests that we see around here that are controlled well enough to rely on Spinosad.

One advantage is that at higher rates Spinosad controls mites but there are many safe miticides that cost much less to use so Conserve is rarely called upon to control mites commercially.

If Spinosad controlled the major Cucurbit pests I would recommend it all day every day. But it doesn't. Entrust (Spinosad) is labeled for use on Cucurbits but only to control:

army worms
cabbage looper
melon worm
pickleworm
rindworm
leafminers
thrips

When it cojmes to controlling the big guys Squash bugs, cucumber beetles & Squash Vine Borers, Spinosad isn't going to get it done.

5/23/2007 11:49:31 PM

Santa Cruz, CA

In my experience (limited) Neem Oil seems to work on both cucumber beetles and squash bugs. We sprayed every other week and were able to avoid a multitude either bug. Were we just lucky or does that sound like a good plan?

5/24/2007 12:29:43 AM

NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

Tremor, Sorry that the questions were confusing. But I did not know how else to ask them. You gave great answers, as usual. You answered far better and with greater detail than I anticipated. I learn a lot from you. As for the gypsy moth and the tent caterpillars, our county did not spray this year. You cannot step without crunching one of those buggers. They number by the hundreds on my property. That is why I asked these questions. How much does spinosad cost? You are a big help. God bless and good luck growing this year. Thanks for taking the time to explain this. Jerry

5/24/2007 9:48:10 AM

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I sell quarts of Conserve for $90. I can get Entrust but only by the full 12 lb case which is $420 lb. (YIKES!) Same thing but more concentrated & labeled for agriculture.

If you're thinking of spraying your trees for caterpillars then Conserve is the right move. However hitting them in the early life stages is advised & it sounds like you might be late for that. At this point Tempo or Sevin might be the best bet.

5/24/2007 8:15:04 PM