Q. I have not been able to
get the leaf-footed plant bugs under control on my almond, pistachio and
pomegranate trees. The nuts turn black inside. When the almonds first formed
and still soft, I could see sap oozing where the bugs pierced the fruit. I have
been spraying with pyrethrin until the weather got too warm. Someone
recommended using diatomaceous earth on them.
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| Leaf footed plant bug not fully mature |
A. If you search the
Internet you will see all sorts of homemade remedies recommended by different
people. These include diatomaceous earth, repelling them with garlic or hot
pepper sprays, and even oils of mint and rosemary. The problem is they have no
documented history of working.
Internet you will see all sorts of homemade remedies recommended by different
people. These include diatomaceous earth, repelling them with garlic or hot
pepper sprays, and even oils of mint and rosemary. The problem is they have no
documented history of working.
Until we have some definitive answers about what is
working and not working and still safe enough for food crops, we are left with
either trying products recommended on the Internet in a “trial by error” method
or using products with a known history of success.
working and not working and still safe enough for food crops, we are left with
either trying products recommended on the Internet in a “trial by error” method
or using products with a known history of success.
I frequently look at the University of California IPM
(Integrated Pest Management) recommendations for insect control. They publish
information that works but unfortunately many of the so-called “organic” methods
have not been tested adequately.
(Integrated Pest Management) recommendations for insect control. They publish
information that works but unfortunately many of the so-called “organic” methods
have not been tested adequately.
Pyrethrin sprays come from “organic” sources and some sources
are manufactured. Read the label. The label makes this distinction.
are manufactured. Read the label. The label makes this distinction.
There are “synthetic pyrethrins”, some called
pyrethroids, labeled for controlling this insect pest on pistachios. They do
work if the directions on the label are followed. Synthetic pyrethrins are
designed by chemists to “mimic” natural pyrethrin’s toxicity. But they are
synthetic and may or may not be as “safe” to use as pyrethrins.
pyrethroids, labeled for controlling this insect pest on pistachios. They do
work if the directions on the label are followed. Synthetic pyrethrins are
designed by chemists to “mimic” natural pyrethrin’s toxicity. But they are
synthetic and may or may not be as “safe” to use as pyrethrins.
I usually do not promote recommendations found on the
Internet that have not been shown to have a history of success. If I do mention
something without a history of control, I follow it up by mentioning so.
Internet that have not been shown to have a history of success. If I do mention
something without a history of control, I follow it up by mentioning so.