Is Sevin A Good General Purpose Insecticide?

 


I've noticed tiny pin holes in the leaves of my bell peppers, egg
plants, ground cherries and cantaloupe.  My neighbor told me that he
uses a product called Sevin that comes in a spray bottle ready to use.
Said he's been using it for years and it works quite well for him.  I
guess my question is:  would this be a good general purpose insecticide
for use in my vegetable garden?

Rich from PA

 

EVP MAN wrote:

Sevin is the trade name of an insecticide called carbaryl.  It is toxic
to mammals, though the feds say of relatively low toxicity.  It is an
acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, but is broken down quickly in mammals.
It is *extremely* toxic to bees, and I think, fish IIRC.  It remains one
of the most widely used insecticides in American farming, but has been
used much less in recent years by home gardeners.  I suggest you do a
search for "tiny holes in leaves of vegetable plants" and assimilate
whatever advice you see in your search.  There may be several effective
ways of eliminating the problem with natural compounds.  A safer, much
less toxic chemical alternative (note I did not say it's "non-toxic") is
gamma cyhalothrin, sold under the names "Spectracide", "Triazicide" and
others.  Frankly, it's not super effective, but it helps, and is safer
in the long run than carbaryl. But at least check out natural controls
first.  I can't say specifically which ones, because the tiny holes in
your leaves could be from a variety of different causes.

Tony M.

 


Thank you for the advice Tony.  I'll do that search and try to find an
alternative method of eliminating the insects.  I saw a few of them on
my plants.  They are as small as a flea or gnat and when you touch one
with your finger,  they fly away.  I sure don't want to use any chemical
that will harm the bees.  Our local bee population is in big trouble as
it is.  By the way Tony,  did you ever hear about mixing a little dish
detergent with water and using it as a bug spray?  I just wonder if it
would work or not?  Sure would be less toxic than some of the other
chemicals I would think.

Rich

 

 White_Noise_1@webtv.net (EVP MAN) wrote:


In general, you're  better off using soap instead of detergent, Ivory,
Castile, Dr. Bonners are examples. The insecticidal soaps are pure
soaps, that come with directions for use.

Try some on a small portion of your "target" plant to see if the plant
reacts. Sometimes it will burn the leaves. Always give the plant time to
react before spraying more.
--
- Billy
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the
merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini.

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Zinn/HZinn_page.html

 

White_Noise_1@webtv.net (EVP MAN) wrote:

Not detergent, use soap.  An ounce of Murphy's Oil Soap to a gallon of
water sprayed on plants and on the soil makes a good insect deterent.