Q. Several weeks ago I noticed whiteflies on my dwarf
orange tree. I went to Lowes where they recommended the following product:
Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Protect and Feed. Upon reading the instructions
it states: Do not use on plants grown for food but does not mention trees or
shrubs. Can you please tell if this product is safe to use and if not what
would you recommend?
orange tree. I went to Lowes where they recommended the following product:
Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Protect and Feed. Upon reading the instructions
it states: Do not use on plants grown for food but does not mention trees or
shrubs. Can you please tell if this product is safe to use and if not what
would you recommend?
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| Picture can be found at Bayer link to this insecticide and the label |
A. I cannot tell you if it is safe to use on edible crops
or not. I went back and looked at the product label online. Some formulations
of the product the manufacturer claims you can use on SOME edible crops
including fruit trees.
The
manufacturer also claims 12 month control of some insect pests using this
product. Some formulations say you can spread the granules under the tree. The
tree in turn takes up this product through its roots where it spreads through
the plant where this poison then gives 12 month control to pests listed on the
label.
manufacturer also claims 12 month control of some insect pests using this
product. Some formulations say you can spread the granules under the tree. The
tree in turn takes up this product through its roots where it spreads through
the plant where this poison then gives 12 month control to pests listed on the
label.
This
means that the product has spread through the entire plant systemically to
provide enough of this product inside the tree to control these insects for 12
months. This also means the poison should ALSO be in other plant parts as well,
such as fruit.
means that the product has spread through the entire plant systemically to
provide enough of this product inside the tree to control these insects for 12
months. This also means the poison should ALSO be in other plant parts as well,
such as fruit.
These
products undergo extensive testing for so-called “safety” issues that must be
done before receiving a label approved by EPA. So our EPA is saying that this
product has met its tolerances of “safety” (the feds do not like you to use the
word “safe” in instances like this because they do not guarantee any pesticide
is “safe”) and have approved this label. The product is supposed to be at such
low levels in the plant that the government considers it safe to eat.
products undergo extensive testing for so-called “safety” issues that must be
done before receiving a label approved by EPA. So our EPA is saying that this
product has met its tolerances of “safety” (the feds do not like you to use the
word “safe” in instances like this because they do not guarantee any pesticide
is “safe”) and have approved this label. The product is supposed to be at such
low levels in the plant that the government considers it safe to eat.
Now, in my
opinion, I would NEVER eat fruit from a fruit tree that has been treated with a
systemic insecticide, period. Particularly when the manufacturer has claimed 12
month control of insects after its application! It does not make any sense to
me to eat fruit from this tree in the same year it was treated with this type
of pesticide. I hope this helps.
opinion, I would NEVER eat fruit from a fruit tree that has been treated with a
systemic insecticide, period. Particularly when the manufacturer has claimed 12
month control of insects after its application! It does not make any sense to
me to eat fruit from this tree in the same year it was treated with this type
of pesticide. I hope this helps.