Insecticide For Impatiens

Virtually all impatiens (Impatiens spp.) varieties provide easy color in your garden, making it a versatile plant for beds and hillsides. They grow as perennials in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 12, though the zone depends on the variety. Typically planted as an annual, this plant is easy to pop in the ground and appreciate during its lengthy flowering season. While typically hardy, impatiens may struggle with some pests, making occasional pesticide use part of maintaining this plant in your garden.

Spray Fungicides

1. Gray mold, also known as Botrytis blight, affects the petals and buds of impatiens. This overwintering fungus resides in infected plant debris dropped during the previous season. As the weather warms, the fungus grows and produces spores that are then spread by the wind. The spores infect the healthy impatiens, causing flowers to turn brown and develop abnormally. Buds rot on the stem and flowers develop brown spot and flecks. To minimize the potential for infection, remove all plant debris, avoid overhead watering and maintain space between the impatiens for air circulation. Spray fungicides every 10 days, or simply remove the plant. Fungicides effective in treating gray mold include captan, chlorothalonil, maneb, thiophanate methyl and sulfur.

Insecticidal Soaps

1. Leaf stickiness is often the first sign of an aphid infestation. Remove all sticky leaves and dispose of them in a greens bin — do not add them to your compost. Thrips are another tiny garden pest that is virtually invisible to the eye. A thrips infestation occurs when you see silvery streaks appearing on the leaves of your impatiens. Leaves may be completely destroyed by a thrip infestation, turning brown or silver. Treat impatiens infected with thrips or aphids with insecticidal soap. This pesticide is sold in a spray bottle and does not require mixing. While it may irritate eyes, it is not toxic to humans nor to beneficial insects in your garden. Insecticidal soaps work by breaking down the insect’s coating. The spray disrupts cellular function in the insect. Coat the impatiens thoroughly to remove an aphid or thrips infestation.

Superior Horticultural Oil Sprays

1. Superior horticultural oil sprays are an alternative to insecticidal soap that kill off aphids and thrips. It has low toxicity to humans, birds and beneficial insects, such as bees. It can cause skin and eye irritation, so use with caution on windy days and wear gloves. You buy the oil in liquid concentrate and mix it with water according to the package directions and then spray the impatiens. The aphids don’t die by chemical action, the spraying process drowns the aphids and their larvae. Don’t use oil sprays within 30 days of using sulfur and use only when temperatures are below 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pyrethrins

1. Pyrethrins are a chemical compound that’s effective to remove thrips and aphids that may infect impatiens. Pyrethrins are an extract of a chrysanthemum species. As such, they’re safe to use around people, pets and birds, though are toxic to fish and may be toxic to bees. Pyrethrins work on contact with the insect, causing paralysis. They break down when exposed to bright sunlight, with the residual chemicals remaining on the impatiens for only a day.