I'd like to use the systemic Bayer Advanced 12 month Tree & Shrub insect control on 8 crepe myrtles but I'm wondering if this would be a bad move to make with lots of butterflies around. Is anyone familiar with this product?? Would it be safe to use it near my butterfly garden? Ed
Bayer Tree & Shrub Insect ControlBad for Butterflies??
I'm afraid to use almost everything around them. They are so sensitive to the environment. One time I was sprinkling Amdro, fire ant killer, on a mound and didn't see a Monarch cat close by. Apparently, a granule or granules touched him because later that day he was all black and dead. I'm not positive this is what happened to him, but now I'm more careful.
Fly-girl-I sent a note to Bayer and here was their reply. I'm getting like you with the flys. "Protective".
"Thank you for visiting our website and your inquiry to Bayer Lawn and Garden!
As long as the butterflies do not come in direct contact with the wet chemical an application to the crape myrtles will not harm them. "
Ed
That pretty much tells you how dangerous it is. And since it's a systemic, wouldn't it be coursing through the entire plant for some time?
I am worried about that chemical, Imidacloprid, and how dangerous it is to beneficial insects and found this article.
http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2003/11/26/millions_of_bees_dead_bayers_gaucho_blamed.htm
Are you targeting a specific pest on your Crapes?
Aphids and leafminers. This stuff is supposed to provide protection for 12 months so it is definitely sticking around. It has to stay in the leaves to have any affect on these leaf munching suckers. I was hopeing this stuff didn't get into the blooms but you have to wonder. I may stick to Kirk's soap and vegetable oil. /Ed
Ed - I'd have to agree with Rox about the chemical pesticide. I try to avoid anything at all, but on a rare occasion (such as a large wasp's nest), I have been known to spray a small area. You could try spraying the leaves with a blast of water to rid yourself of the aphids. I have a horrible aphid problem on all my milkweed and other tender sprouting plants (along with the milkweed beetles). But I have noticed that I also have quite a number of ladybugs too and they make short work of ridding each plant of the aphids. One day it will be covered in aphid, the next day none at all!!!! It's amazing how efficient they are!! The soap and oil are probably your best bet.
You can also do companion planting. I inadvertently did that in my herb garden and found not a single bug other than an occasional ant and lots of bees in my herb garden. So the bugs truly don't like certain plants. Here is a good website for a companion plant list:
(Just scroll down the page and you'll see the topic!)
http://www.cremebrulee.com/garden.htm
Just be careful planting noxious smelling plants near caterpillar host plants as it also may repel the butterflies and cats! LOL!
Hey there Ed!
http://www.clyderobin.com/getting_started/beneficial_insects.html
http://www.phancypages.com/newsletter/ZNewsletter2780.htm
Here's something to look into...When it warms up I am going to release the ladybugs I bought a few days ago. (They are in a container in the fridge.)
Just thought I would put that 'bug' in your ear my brother gardner!
:-Deb
Insecticidal soap may be the best control for the aphids. Only downside is you will need to apply it more often.
I think I will start spraying everything weekly with the Kirk's soap,vegetable oil mix. With a little of my Therm X70yucca extract stress aid spreader sticker in it. You only use 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of spray and it works like a charm. I got a quart of it two years ago from Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply, and at the rate it is used, someone will get whats left in my will. LOL Great stuff. I tried the ladybugs once and I think I'll try another batch of them. Not many stayed around the first time. The aphids seem to hit the peppers first, then the crepe myrtles followed by the milkweeds. (lots of monarch cats on the milkweed last year, only a couple so far this year). With the ladybugs I'll get some praying mantid, I've always liked them but try to limit their numbers so they don't start cleaning out all the little lizards.
I've got a 5 gallon battery powered sprayer and I should be able spray everything with around 10 gallons so it won't be real time consuming. Thanks to all for the info and the links. Ed
Lady Bugs have to be released at night with at least a lightly watered garden surface. Then release a new batch in 2 weeks.. I think I am going to do this 3 times. Surely they will have made a home by then..
My entire back yard is dedicated to larval host, nectar flowers for butterflies and hummies. Like Roxanne, I don't feel comfortable applying any kind of insecticide for now. I want to see if I can establish the Lady bugs and go from there.
Deb
Deb-I hear you. You all have convinced me to just go with the soap and veggie oil for now. We have a "severe" weather forecast for tonight. Maybe it will just blow all the bad bugs away. lol Ed
Sounds like a good plan Ed.
Those mws are a big attractor of bugs, both good and bad. I wage war on the spider mites, mw bugs, assassin bugs and the aphids all summer.
Hope your weather's not too severe.