Bayer's Advanced Garden Tree & Shrub Insect Control

Does anyone know if this can be used safely on citrus trees loaded with fruit, or will I poison myself? I have a tangerine, orange, and lemon tree, which all have fruit, and I was wondering if it would be safe to use on them. It is labeled for use on "Apple, Crabapple, Loquat, Mayhew, Oriental Pear, Pear, Pecan and Quince": http://www.bayeradvanced.com/garden/products/details.cfm?ID=12 The trees have fruit year-round pretty much so it is hard to find a time to do it. Thanks.

Hi Clare,

Frankly I'm surprized that it is labelled for use on any fruit trees. I use it regularly on containerized ornamentals like Gardenias and Hibiscus, but I don't use in on fruit trees.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in.

SB

While Imidacloprid is a relatively benign substance. ( down load the the MSDS) It is not approved for use on your citrus. That is the major ingredient in Bayers product. It is a systemic and in other formulations (Admire 2F, Povado 1.6 and Marathon II) is registered for use on cole crops (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, and kohlrabi). Even tho it is relatively harmless, I would not use it on citrus, unless it was registered for that use. You may not poison yourself, but it could harm the trees.

Thanks so much, SB and Farmerdill.

Farmerdill, I won't use it then. I seem to have a huge problem with ants on my lemon, orange, and tangerine, and I think they are farming mealies or aphids on the back of the leaves as there is a white sticky/black substance on the back of the leaves. Can you recommend a treatment that is safe, given the ever-present fruit on the trees? These trees are fairly large so spraying the underside of the leaves might present a challenge. I've tried different ant baits, but that doesn't seem to help. Thanks so much.

The best control for ants is to get them before they climb the tree. Chlopyrifos ( Chlorfos 4E, Lorsban 4E, Nufos 4E) is registered for use as ant control on citrus. You spray it on the ground around the tree not on the tree. Aphids are farmed by ants and the aphids can of course be attacked directly. There are several products registered for this use on citrus, but it means spraying the tree. Registered products include Pyrethrin, Pyrellin (pyrethrin-Rotenone mix) I don't grow citrus so have no practical experience.

Thanks so much, Farmerdill! I do have a product with Pyrethrin that I can use, and I'll see if I can find some products with those other incredients as well to keep the ants under control. I have a huge ant problem in my yard, and they seem to laugh at the ant baits that I put out. Thanks again.

Clare, I don't know how practical this idea will be on a large tree, but I have had great success using Tanglefoot. It is a very sticky substance made from natural materials. You wrap the tree trunk with a foam band or, in my case, I use masking tape, and apply the Tanglefoot. It prevents any movement of the ants up or down the tree. Since starting to use Tanglefoot, the only times I've found ants on my citrus is when the leaves touch another pot or bench, in which case the ants are getting up the tree by way of another path around the Tanglefoot.

What a good suggestion, SB! I have heard of Tanglefoot but forgot all about it. Any idea where I can get it? Is it available at Home Depot or Target? I'll try it if I can find it! Thanks!

I ordered my online. It comes in a tube or a bucket. I've never seen it locally. I hope it helps.

Clare, Imidacloprid is recommended to use on citrus in Thailand by Bayers and it is very effective for controlling aphids and thrips. As you know I used to grow citrus, in my opinion, it's safe for tangerine. Sevin (Carbaryl) should be used along with Imidacloprid to control ants. As for mealies, I will go for Chlopyrifos that should keep ants under control as well.

Well, Kukiat, what an unexpected surprise, my friend! I completely forgot that you used to grow groves of citrus and should have come to you first with my question. Thank you so much!

Thanks, SB, for the Tanglefoot info., and thanks to Farmerdill too for his help.