Spraying safely

[yenling83]

Okay I admit I’m one of those people that is super paranoid about avoiding all things that can give you cancer. However, I also don’t feel comfortable at this point going organic when spraying for pests and fungus with my trees. I’m wondering what are the absolute safest practices to use while spraying? Thanks!

 

[jk_lewis]

First, "organic" doesn't protect you from cancer. Poisons are poisons. Green can kill as easily as "chemicals."

Second, remember that "preventative" spraying of trees and shrubs is generally nonsense. Modern pesticides (that homeowners can get) have almost no residual effects.

Third, if you can hand pick, squish or otherwise manually remove the offending critters, do it.

Fourth, be sure you know what bugs you are spraying. Many insects are beneficial or at least harmless. Spray in the evening to avoid killing pollinating insects -- bees, butterflies, moths, etc.

Fifth, READ THE LABEL, then READ IT AGAIN. Follow directions about insects controlled, dilution or application procedures and rates. More pesticide is NOT better.

Sixth, spray outside. If it is windy, spray later. Pesticide drift is dangerous -- to you and neighbors. Consider wearing a mask and gloves. At least, be careful.

Seventh, the least environmentally damaging and toxic (to humans) pesticides, include those containing pyrethrins, ,which is, incidentally, "organic." Soap sprays -- commercial or homemade -- can control many insects.

Eighth, avoid the nuclear option. The most widely advertised pesticides are often the most damaging.

And last, use common sense.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Okay I admit I’m one of those people that is super paranoid about avoiding all things that can give you cancer. However, I also don’t feel comfortable at this point going organic when spraying for pests and fungus with my trees. I’m wondering what are the absolute safest practices to use while spraying? Thanks!

For your own personal safety, sparing no expense...hire someone to do it for you while you hit Whole Foods...

 

[yenling83]

For your own personal safety, sparing no expense...hire someone to do it for you while you hit Whole Foods...

Touché Brian......Touché

Okay maybe i'm over thinking this and it's all just common sense. All good answers JKL. I do wear a mask with replaceable cartridges and glasses. I do spray during cool-non windy times during the day. I always wash my cloths and take a shower right after. I follow directions on the bottle, I spray approx once per month-which somewhat goes against what JKL said.

What about a while after you spray? Day's, weeks, months and or years of build up in your yard. I guess there's not really a way of controlling this other than spraying less, not mixing more than you need, lowering frequency or quantity.

 

[Poink88]

I would think you can easily rig a clear plastic tent and spray the tree inside with only your hand and spray bottle in. If you can have a turntable/turning stool to have the tree sit on, it will be much easier too. There will be more work though since you only do one tree at a time and you have to move them too.

Checked you blog. It is well made, very nice pictures, and congrats with the wedding! You have a very lovely wife. Not sure I will let those tigers near her though (tame or not).

 

[yenling83]

ha ha Thanks for the comments about my blog that's very nice of you Poink!!!

That's a cool idea about a tent, I like it. Alot of work moving trees around, but do able for someone who is really concerned. Might be something i'll do when I have kids and get a dog. Thanks!

 

[Stan Kengai]

Pesticide overuse (and spraying on a schedule) is often worse than not spraying at all, especially if you use a broad spectrum. The reason is because you're upsetting the natural balance by killing the predator bugs that would normally eat the bad guys, making your plants more susceptible to infestations. I only spray when a problem is evident, treating the problem plant and nearby plants only. This does require you to be more vigilant, but you eventually get to know the patterns (weather, time of year, certain plants) of when infestations are likely.

 

[gergwebber]

Research Integrated Pest Managment (IPM) theory, or better yet, find a Junior College that offers a night/online pest managment class. Tou would be surprised how much "common sense" goes out the window when people see a bug chomping on something in the yard and pannic.

It really is all down to education and experience too. the more you know about pest life cycles and how aibiotic diseases are spread, the more likely it is that you can turn three applications to one, and get better results.

For example, apply snail and earwig bait now, and again in late winter, which helps more than application during the "problem season". By knocking down the breeding populations in the lean months, you avoid that huge populaiton explosion in spring which is the one that does all the damage and causes issues for the rest of the year.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Touché Brian......Touché

Okay maybe i'm over thinking this and it's all just common sense. All good answers JKL. I do wear a mask with replaceable cartridges and glasses. I do spray during cool-non windy times during the day. I always wash my cloths and take a shower right after. I follow directions on the bottle, I spray approx once per month-which somewhat goes against what JKL said.

What about a while after you spray? Day's, weeks, months and or years of build up in your yard. I guess there's not really a way of controlling this other than spraying less, not mixing more than you need, lowering frequency or quantity.

Sorry...couldn't resist for some reason. I'm far from scientific about it, and probably as politically incorrect as one can get about applying pesticides. I do spray when the wind is calm, keep the kids and dog out if the area until everything is dry, and only spray trees that need it, but I don't use a mask or anything. Then, when I do find pests, I hit them hard, and every 7 days if I find mites, scale, or aphids, until they're gone. If I spray in the evening, I'll use the hose and wash down everything but the foliage the next day. Never had a problem, other than squirrels and birds falling dead out of the trees above, but nothing a good umbrella can't handle. ;-)

 

[yenling83]

Sorry...couldn't resist for some reason. I'm far from scientific about it, and probably as politically incorrect as one can get about applying pesticides. I do spray when the wind is calm, keep the kids and dog out if the area until everything is dry, and only spray trees that need it, but I don't use a mask or anything. Then, when I do find pests, I hit them hard, and every 7 days if I find mites, scale, or aphids, until they're gone. If I spray in the evening, I'll use the hose and wash down everything but the foliage the next day. Never had a problem, other than squirrels and birds falling dead out of the trees above, but nothing a good umbrella can't handle. ;-)

No that was actually really funny. I'm sure i'd spend alot of money at Whole Foods if there was one around here. Thanks for the replys!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Just read your interview with Peter Tea...good stuff! He would be great to work with, he seems like he's a teacher at heart.

 

[jkd2572]

We had no real winter last year so the bugs were horrible this year even weakening even landscape specimens. Mostly aphids. Twice a month I would be soaked in pesticide as I applied Waterhouse fed pesticides underneath canopies of large shrubs and small trees. Took a shower right after, but man those bugs were bad this year.

 

[bougie nights]

If aphids are your only problem, the first line of defense could be a strong jet of water to dislodge them from the plant. Once they're off of the plant, they're toast. You have to follow up and check for any that were missed or new hatchlings. I've done this on my tomato plants and a (landscape) hawthorne tree. Of of my Japanese maples had aphids, but I was concerned about the delicate foliage so i just adjusted the pressure to make it less vigorous and it worked nicely.
I've read the same can be done for spider mites, but I have my doubts.

 

[yenling83]

Just read your interview with Peter Tea...good stuff! He would be great to work with, he seems like he's a teacher at heart.

Thanks Brian! Yah, I agree about him being a Teacher at heart. He's very good at breaking things down and explaining. Very willing to share the infomation he learns and you can tell by how much he shares on his blog. I took some workshops and lessons with him before he went to Japan and he was already great. I'm very excited about his return as well and think alot of Bonsai folk will benefit from it.

 

[Pinenut]

Just read your interview with Peter Tea...good stuff! He would be great to work with, he seems like he's a teacher at heart.

As long as we are talking about chemical pesticides and Peter Tea, Peter posted an interesting
article on "pesticides". It seams that Malathion (pesticide) and Daconil (fungicide) are spray
monthly on the bonsai in Japan to control insects and fungus.