Insecticide For Edible Plants

Insecticide For Edible Plants is a pesticide for plants grown for human consumption including vegetables, flowers, houseplants, trees and shrubs. The active ingredients in this product destroy insect pests such as caterpillars (cabbage loopers and imported cabbageworms), leaf miners, thrips (red & green spider mite), aphids and whiteflies. Insecticide For Edible Plants is a very effective eco-safe alternative to chemical insecticides. It contains oils derived from corn and clove to kill caterpillars, eggs and larvae stages of insects but leaves no poisonous residue on the plants foliage. In addition it also contains cinnamon oil which repels aphids and Japanese beetles.

Insecticide For Edible Plants

Insects are part of a healthy garden ecosystem. Bees and other pollinators ensure a plentiful harvest from herb and veggie gardens and fruit trees, while ladybugs and praying mantises help control plant-damaging pests. When fruit worms, aphids, Japanese beetles, roaches, and their destructive ilk gain a toehold in a garden, they can quickly ruin your crops. A targeted insecticide can help prevent this.

The best insecticides for pest control in vegetable gardens are fast and effective at killing destructive bugs without harming their beneficial brethren—or pets and humans. They’re even better when they’re easy to apply without specialized equipment. Read on to learn how the best insecticides for vegetable gardens work and why the following options rank as some of the best in their respective categories.

1. BEST OVERALL: Monterey LG6135 Garden Insect Spray
2. BEST BUDGET: Plantonix Organic Neem Bliss 100% Neem Seed Oil
3. BEST INSECTICIDAL SOAP: Natria 706230A Insecticidal Soap
4. LONGEST LASTING: BioAdvanced Vegetable and Garden Insect Spray
5. BEST FOR CATERPILLARS: Bonide (BND803) Leaf Eating Worm & Moth Killer
6. BEST FOR JAPANESE BEETLES: ST GABRIEL ORGANICS Milky Spore Grub Pest Controller
7. ALSO CONSIDER: Bonide (BND857) Pyrethrin Garden Insect Spray Mix

Types of Plant Diseases

When fruit trees and vegetables are looking poorly, it’s important to understand the reason before reaching for any pest treatment, since most insecticides have no effect on diseases. The presence of insects feeding on the plant is the most obvious indicator that an insecticide will help. Below are more ways to figure out the cause.

Fungal, Bacterial, and Viral

Plant diseases, caused by fungus, bacteria, or virus, can cause symptoms that look similar to insect damage, like holes in leaves, leaf discoloration or malformation, and stunted growth. Diseases often appear first as discolored spots on leaves. Some affect stems or fruits exclusively, while root diseases weaken the plant, leading to stunting or wilting of the above-ground parts.

In fungal diseases, spots are often round and may appear as brown concentric circles, while bacterial and viral diseases often look more angular, as they follow the leaf veins. As disease spreads, leaves may take on a powdery or fuzzy appearance before turning brown or black and finally dropping. Choose an appropriate fungicide to treat fungal diseases. Plants suffering from viral or bacterial disease must be severely pruned or removed altogether.

Insect-Derived

Beetles and caterpillars chew irregular patterns, often consuming leaves beginning at the tender edges and working their way in. Some insects eat the softer parts of leaves and avoid the tougher veins, giving leaves a lacy appearance.

If you need to kill insects, it’s best to choose a product formulated to control that particular pest. Broad-spectrum insecticides kill a diverse variety of bugs, both “good” and “bad.” Care must be taken to minimize collateral damage to non-target species.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Insecticide for Vegetable Gardens

In selecting the best insecticide for vegetable garden use, it’s important to match your expectations with the abilities of the product. Some features to consider are organic versus chemical formulas, targeted pests, duration of efficacy, and liquid versus granular products.

Organic vs. Chemical

The active ingredients in organic insecticides are derived from natural sources, such as minerals, plants, and bacteria. Although many of these products can harm both beneficial bugs and pests, they have a short residual activity time after application, which helps reduce collateral damage.

Timing of the application is critical to ensure effective control, as these products are most effective on immature insects. Organic insecticides can be comparatively expensive, with a less immediate effect and a potential need to reapply multiple times for complete control.

Chemical insecticides typically work much faster, last longer, and cost less per application than their organic counterparts. As with organic insecticides, chemical insecticides can kill both good and bad bugs, so care must be taken to avoid collateral damage.

These products are derived from chemicals that also can be toxic to people, pets, and the environment if used or stored improperly. The slow rate at which they break down in the environment can lead to buildup in soil or groundwater if chemical insecticides are overused.

Targeted Pests

While broad-spectrum insecticides can kill hundreds of different insect species, most vegetable crops are only threatened by one or two different pests. To minimize the chance of damaging beneficial insects, gardeners should try to identify and target the specific enemy. Evidence of tomato fruit worms, for instance, appears as an entry hole in the tomato.

Mexican bean beetles resemble pale orange ladybugs, but they chew on bean plant leaves. Squash bugs attack the stems of squash plants, right at ground level; the larvae bore into the stems, weakening and eventually killing the whole plant. Although the same broad-spectrum insecticide may be appropriate for all three pests, application timing and location on the plant will be different for each.

Another way to target pests that eliminates collateral damage is by using insecticides that only kill the targeted bugs. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), for instance, is a biological control for caterpillars that is safe for other insects. Milky spore kills Japanese beetle grubs in the ground, but it’s safe for earthworms and all other soil dwellers.

Application

Liquid insecticides, either targeted or broad spectrum, are fast acting because they immediately deliver the active ingredient to the problem. Spray liquid insecticides directly on foliage, stems, or the root zone of plants to eliminate active pests. Liquids come in both concentrated and ready-to-spray formulas. Concentrates, which cost less per treatment, must be diluted with water before use. Pricier ready-to-spray products save time and the mess of mixing.

Most granular insecticides are broad-spectrum treatments that are effective and persistent at treating soil-level garden pests—but will harm beneficial bugs, too. Granules are easy to apply—simply sprinkle on the soil in the problem area—and store in a closed canister.

Most insecticidal garden dusts are broad-spectrum treatments. They store easily, have a long shelf life, and work fast when applied to foliage, stems, or soil, as needed. Dusts can be tricky to apply evenly, however, especially on lower leaf surfaces. These chemicals are easily and efficiently applied with a garden duster that mixes the product in a gentle air stream and dispenses the dust in a cloud to evenly coat the plant.

Safety

Gardeners should always heed manufacturer safety precautions when applying insecticides. Safety measures may include wearing protective gear like long sleeves, rubber gloves, safety glasses, and a respirator mask. Be aware of the risks and possible reactions for exposure to the product. Keep product labels intact, and never reuse insecticide containers for other purposes.

Be prepared for emergencies. Call 911 immediately if someone shows signs of an adverse reaction to insecticide exposure—which can include stinging eyes, rashes, blisters, dizziness, nausea, or diarrhea. Then check the product label for directions on first aid for exposure to that product. Call the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222 for first aid information.

For the safety of plants, pay close attention to sunlight and temperature, as some insecticides for vegetable gardens may damage foliage if applied in the heat or bright sunlight. Protect pollinators and other beneficial insects by avoiding treatments while plants are in bloom.

Longevity

When insects are present at all life stages, part or all of the mature population may be controlled by insecticide on contact. But often, in early stages, the egg protects the developing insect, so in a few weeks the pest problem resurges. The more advanced the infestation, the more important it is to apply an insecticide that lasts long enough to kill on contact and be effective on eggs. Otherwise, with less persistent insecticides, frequent applications will be needed to banish bugs.

Our Top Picks

There are many options when it comes to insecticides for a vegetable garden. Listed below are some of the best in specific categories. These garden insecticides are made by the most trusted brands in the industry to effectively control difficult pests, yet are safe for people and pets when used as directed.

Insecticide For Edible Plants

Insecticide, also known as insecticides, are the most commonly used chemicals to kill insects.

These chemicals are used for both agricultural and home use. They can be used to kill insects that are harmful to crops, such as moths, beetles and caterpillars. They can also be used in homes to kill ants and other insects that might harm humans or pets. Many people choose not to use insecticides because they fear that they will harm their plants or garden. However, there are some types of insecticides that can be used safely around edible plants without harming them.

One type of insecticide is pyrethrin. This type of insecticide kills insects by overstimulating their nervous system so that they cannot breathe properly or move their legs. These types of chemicals are safe for use around edibles because they do not stay in the soil long enough to affect the plants you grow there later on down the road. You should still wear protective clothing when applying this type of insecticide so as not come into contact with it yourself while using it outdoors around your yard or garden area; however, it will not harm any animals who come into contact with it either (such as birds or squirrels).

List Of Insecticide For Edible Plants