Questions tagged [pesticide]

Chemicals used to control pests. Use this tag with questions about how to choose and use pesticides with different plants.

Use this tag for questions about chemical controls for . These will typically be insecticides and s, although pesticides for mammals would also be on topic.

Pesticides can be synthetic or organic such as Neem oil.

The use of pesticides on is tightly controlled in most jurisdictions.

Similarly, other pesticides have their dangers. Mammal pesticides (e.g. rat bait) can poison pets and children; herbicides can poison desirable garden plants; and insecticides will kill many beneficial insects. Most are poisonous to humans.

By definition, pesticides are poisons. Depending on the question, the tag may be suitable in addition to or instead of the tag..

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What is an effective organic pesticide to use against aphids or cabbage loopers?

I have a vegetable garden that bugs just love. Since my family is going to eat these vegetables (and I'd prefer that the bugs do not), what organic pesticide is most effective? The main culprits are aphids and cabbage loopers (or inch worms) though…
Michael Todd
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How do I get rid of insects on fruit trees?

I have an infestation of aphids on my citrus and pomegranate trees. The bugs are being "farmed" by ants. I read they might actually be bringing the aphids to the trees. Is this at all a problem? Can my trees still produce good fruit while they're…
Jonathan
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What is the best way to grow vegetables without using chemical insecticide?

I am looking for tips and recommendations because I do not want to use any pesticides. I am in Jamaica where insects are a big problem. I am using a combination of dish soap and hot pepper. Any suggestions as what to mix with the soap? I have a…
Gardening Directions
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How can I control Viburnum Beetle on my Snowball tree?

I have a mature Snowball tree (Viburnum opulus) that is stripped of its leaves and severely weakened several times a year by the viburnum beetle. The Royal Horticultural Society recommend several pesticides but, unfortunately, they are all in spray…
Mancuniensis
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How do I get rid of lawn grubs?

My lawn is progressively getting worse every year. I've got large bare patches that just won't take seed, and in the spring and fall I've got racoons and skunks digging up grubs. There is also a large Norway Maple that isn't helping matters. My…
Chris Cudmore
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Soybean oil as insect repellent?

Some of the "natural" insect repellents I use (the kind you put on your skin) have soybean oil listed as one of the active ingredients. I've also seen ~6% soybean oil listed as an active ingredient in some of the "natural" garden insecticide sprays…
bstpierre
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What evidence is there for the toxicity of Neem oil to humans?

I have used Neem oil (Fertilome's 3-in-1) on some tomato plants twice since I began getting into vegetable gardening. The thing is that I have heard/read, on one hand, that it is not toxic and quite "natural", but on the other hand, I have…
YOMorales
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How do I calculate residential fruit spray application rate for commercial spray?

I have over a dozen fruit trees I raise as a hobby. I recently purchased some Horticultural Oil to apply this spring. The label states the following commercial application rate: DORMANT OR DELAYED DORMANT: Use 1-2 gallons per 100 gallons of…
Airn5475
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Can I add commercial roses to my compost pile?

I'd like to add commercial roses to my compost pile, but don't know if I can. I'm not sure what kind of chemicals store bought roses are usually treated with. Bonus question: Can I dump the water in the vase on the pile as well (with the little…
Philip
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Which pesticide should I use for the orange trees?

My orange tree seems to have some disease. The leaves are bubbled and curled. Does anybody know the name of the disease? Which pesticide should I use to cure it?
DSKim
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Get rid of pesticide resistant Spider Mites?

I regretfully come posting asking for advice on how to get rid of a very tenacious spider mite infestation in one room of my indoor plants. I have become convinced these pests have become pesticide resistant because they have shrugged off neem oil,…
mattb
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What are these insects on my Arabian Jasmine plant & how can I eradicate them?

I have found these white moths (very small, winged, can fly) below the leaves of my Arabian jasmine plant, and the plant has stopped flowering and is in a poor state. There are surprisingly some white scaly patches too on the leaves, though I am not…
Joydeep
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Will a homemade insecticide affect the taste of herbs or other edible plants?

I'm thinking about using a homemade insecticide like a small amount of dish soap/coffee/Aloe vera mixed with water for my Stevia plant which the insects seem to like. I'm worried though that what I use in the insecticide will end up making the…
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Chrysanthimum-based pesticide killed my young plants

Recently, a pesticide that I used to treat a number of my young plants killed everything I applied it to. I applied it in accordance with the directions, and the brand is well-reviewed on Amazon, but that didn't stop my melons, tomatoes, okra, and…
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How to safely use Baby Bio house plant insecticide spray?

I've got a Dracaena plant; that has what appears to be white scale or something like it (see attached photos); I don't know much about plants, I bought this one in Vauxhall Flower market in London a year and a half ago, one month after it started…
punkbit
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