Collard greens can be a great addition to your dinner table, but they are also one of the more difficult plants to keep insect-free. There are a lot of different insects that will target collards, and each one requires different treatment methods and products. Insecticides may not be the first thing you think about when you’re trying to grow your own food, but sometimes it’s unavoidable if you want to keep your collards healthy. And you don’t have to use harsh chemicals either; there are organic options that work just as well for many types of bugs.
Collards are a great source of vitamins and minerals, but they can also be a source of pests. One way to avoid this is to use insecticides. There are many types of insecticides available, but the best choice is one that targets the pest you are trying to get rid of. For example, if you have aphids on your collards, then an insecticide that attacks aphids will be your best bet. Another option is to use an insecticide that targets all types of insects so that you don’t have to worry about which type you need in order to get rid of those pesky aphids.
It’s important to remember that the type of plant you’re treating will also determine which type of insecticide will work best for them. For example, if you’re treating a tomato plant with an insecticide made specifically for tomatoes then it won’t work as well because it wasn’t designed specifically for tomatoes; however, if you are using one made specifically for tomatoes then it will work much better than any other kind because it was designed specifically for them.
Do Aphids Eat Collard Greens?
Collard greens are a popular vegetable and are easy to grow, but they are also susceptible to pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and harlequin bugs.
The National Gardening Association notes that collard greens seem to be less susceptible to pests than other members of the cabbage family, but an invasion of insects can decimate your crop.
Aphids are tiny insects that can destroy a whole crop in just a few hours by sucking sap from the leaves until they wither and die. Cabbage worms look like caterpillars and feed on the leaves of collards, kale, and turnips. The harlequin bug is another type of leaf-eating pest; it’s black with red markings on its wings.
How to Get Rid of Aphids on Collard Greens
The best insecticide for collards depends on what you’re fighting. If you have an infestation of leaf miners, neem oil is an excellent option because it will kill the larvae and help prevent future generations from emerging. Neem oil also works well against caterpillars, beetles, Japanese beetles, and other pests that are attracted by your plants’ leaves. The downside is that neem oil can burn some plants’ leaves if applied incorrectly or too frequently.
If you’d like a long-term solution with less risk of burning your plant’s foliage in the process, quick kill outside insect killer has a residual effect that will continue killing bugs after it dries. This means that even though this product doesn’t stay wet for very long at all (which reduces its effectiveness), it still provides excellent control over many types of insects when used according to label instructions every few weeks or so during peak growing seasons.
Can I Spray Neem Oil on My Collard Greens?
Neem oil is a plant-based insecticide that is safe for humans and animals, but it is toxic to insects. It works to repel and kill aphids, which are invasive species that can cause significant damage to your garden.
Because neem oil is not harmful to beneficial insects with hard shells, such as bees, you will need to spray your collard greens several times before the spring to destroy aphid eggs and repel mature aphids.
Neem oil is a good insecticide that can kill many types of insects. However, it can burn some plants. Neem oil should be applied to the foliage or stems of plants by mixing them with water and spraying it on. This application method will provide longer-lasting protection against harmful insects. It should not be used in combination with any other pesticides as this could create toxic fumes or damage your plants’ health.
Neem oil is effective against many common garden pests including, aphids, beetles (Colorado potato beetle), caterpillars (corn earworm), cockroaches, grasshoppers/locusts (migratory grasshopper), mites (red spider mite), nematodes, slugs/snails/slate snails & sowbugs
The Best Insecticide for Collards
The best insecticide for collards depends on the type of insects you are fighting. If you have a problem with aphids, for example, then an insecticidal soap is going to be your best bet because it targets soft-bodied insects like aphids and spider mites. But if you have caterpillars eating your collards, then an insecticide that contains Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) will work better against them because it targets the gut of caterpillars and other soft-bodied insects as well.
We’ve also found success using Spinosad products in our garden. These are naturally derived from fermentation by a soil microbe that produces toxic metabolites called spinosyns (hence the name). They can be effective against a wide range of pests including caterpillars, thrips, leafhoppers, and white flies, but they’re not labeled for use on all vegetables so check with your local retailer before buying any product containing this active ingredient just make sure it’s okay for use in your area.
Amdro Quick Kill Outside Insect Killer
This insecticide is a good choice if you want to keep your garden free of bugs without having to reapply the product frequently. When applied as directed, this pesticide will have a residual effect, meaning it will continue to kill pests for up to seven days after application. This means that you won’t have to apply the pesticide every day or even once per week in order for it to combat insects in your garden.
Amdro Quick Kill outside insect killer works best on outdoor plants and is suitable for use on vegetables, flowers, and trees, including collards.
Malathion 57%
Malathion 57% is an insect killer that works on both biting and sucking bugs. This product has a very strong smell, so insects are attracted to it. It is a contact killer, meaning it must come into direct contact with the insect in order to kill them. Therefore, you should apply this product directly to the plant being treated. It can be used to kill aphids, thrips, whiteflies and mites which are all common pests of collards.
Bayer Natria Insecticidal Soap
Bayer Natria Insecticidal Soap is a biopesticide made with plant-based ingredients. It’s non-toxic to humans and animals, making it an excellent choice for organic gardens. It works well against aphids, mites, beetles, and sap-feeding insects, in fact, it’s one of the best insecticides for collards in terms of killing beetle pests.
What Makes It Different from Other Insecticides?
- Safe for children and pets: Bayer Natria Insecticidal Soap kills bugs without harming other wildlife or pets like dogs and cats that may eat any plants sprayed with the product. This means you can use this soap as an insecticide without worrying about how your animals might be affected by its poisons.
- Safe for the environment: The EPA has approved Bayer Natria Insecticidal Soap’s active ingredient, fatty acids derived from vegetable oils such as coconut oil or sunflower oil (known as “coconut fatty acids”), so they’re considered safe when used correctly in consumer products such as this soap spray.
Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer also works to get rid of grubs and caterpillars.
- Use insecticide: Treat your collards with a general insecticide, such as Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer.
- What it kills: This product can kill many different kinds of insects, including aphids and beetles.
- What it doesn’t kill: It does not control diseases or mites and will not work as a repellent or preventative measure.
- How long it lasts: The active ingredient in this spray lasts for up to 4 weeks when applied to your plants.
- How much to use: Spray the plant thoroughly but do not over-saturate, using a gentle sweeping motion while spraying from top to bottom and side to side until all leaves are covered with the solution (about 1/2 cup per gallon). Do not get any liquid on the fruit itself or the surrounding soil, it may cause discoloration if absorbed through the roots into the fruit.
Bayer Advanced Garden 2-in-1 Insect Control
Bayer Advanced Garden 2-in-1 Insect Control has a systemic formula that keeps protecting your plants after it’s been applied.
Systemic insecticides enter the leaves and stem of your plants, where they are absorbed by the plant’s vascular system. Once in the bloodstream, these chemicals protect every part of the plant from pests by stopping them from eating or laying eggs on any part of the plant. This means that even if you see no immediate results after spraying for bugs, this product will continue to work overtime because its active ingredients have entered into its roots and leaves as well as its stem so there is no way for insects (or other pests) to attack it from below or above ground level.
Ortho Bug B Gon ECO Insecticide
Ortho Bug B Gon ECO Insecticide is an organic insecticide that works for about six months after it’s been sprayed. Mix one tablespoon of Ortho Bug B Gon with two quarts of water and spray on the leaves, base of the plant, stems, flowers, and roots. This will help keep insects from eating your collards.
In Conclusion,
Insecticides are a useful tool to keep your collard plants healthy and free from pests. However, you should always make sure you are using the right product for your plant and its needs. The best insecticide for collards is one that has been proven effective in scientific studies and is safe for humans, animals, and the environment at large.