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 are these 3' to 5' tall plants from my new back yard, and how should I remove them?

I just moved into a new apartment (in Brooklyn, NY) with my own backyard. My girlfriend and I are very excited. However, my backyard is overgrown with that vine-looking-green-stuff. My current plan is to go to Home Depot, get a pair of gardening…
Joseph
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Would more concentrated solutions of soybean oil be better for insect control?

If soybean oil is used in such low concentrations as .5%, why wouldn't using higher concentrations be better? Is there something preventing a higher concentration being useful or effective?
user2326
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Diagnose illness in dying watermelon vines

It seemed to me that I had a nice health crop of water melon plants growing. Then I noticed the leafs developing brown spots and start to get brittle dry out, with some brown spots eventually turning white. I'm guess that they must have been…
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Please help identify and eradicate this lawn pest

These creatures are living in my lawn. They seem to appear only during the summer, for the last three years. I think they’re killing the grass, perhaps by chewing on the roots. Or, at least, the grass looks sick and brown where these things are…
bubba
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Treat thrip on houseplants

I diagnosed these little guys as thrips as you could see them and the typical silvery trails in the leaves where the immature thrip live. They had spread to the ivy and philodendron plants inside the house. I cut the plants back and put them…
kevinskio
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How to proper dilute virgin Neem oil as pest control?

I had a recent infestation with Fungus Gnats on my houseplants, and one recommendation was to use Neem Oil as a natural pesticide for these pests. I bought cold-pressed, unrefined/virgin Neem Oil, but failed terribly trying to dissolve in water to…
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Neem oil and pollination

I'm planing to use neem oil as insect repellent on my plants (mostly vegetables) but there is one thing that is puzzling me: If neem oil is efficient insect repellent does it have negative effect on pollinating insects? If so, when is the best time…
False Identity
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Really virulent mosquitos - dealing with them and their bites

With a lot of tree cover and a nearby river, the one fly in the ointment(!) at our new place is it has a lot of mosquitos and midges. The latter don't seem to be too much of a bother but the mosquitos, living in long grass and ivy especially, must…
Mr. Boy
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Can a solution of neem oil and water remain effective through storage, and if so, for apx. how long?

I made a mix of 1:8oz neem oil: water solution to treat some indoor plants against insects occassionally. I wonder how long, if at all, this solution can be stored and remain effective? It's in a sealed bucket stored indoors and I'm thinking I can…
cr0
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Advice for getting rid of Green Fly?

I have been growing my own Chilli's in the kitchen window sill, but this has resulted in a massive greenfly epidemic. I've tried two different brands of bug spray Provado Ultimate Bug Killer and Doff All in one bug spray and they seem to be immune!…
Gaz Winter
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Too Many Spiders

I have a problem that could be taken care of easily if I wanted to use pesticides that kill spiders. But I don't want to do that in my tiny space. We live in a townhouse apartment with a small 35' x 12' yard on the back of our apt. and about 15' x…
Gramma Sue
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Should I treat every aphid infestation?

Should I treat every infestation as I catch them or is some level of aphids "tolerable" and the presence of aphids in the garden unavoidable? In other words should I only treat the worst cases? I'm not sure how bad it is for the plants.
Gilles
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How can I get rid of these small white pests in my peace lily pot?

I realized late last night that there are lots of small white creepy crawlers in my peace lily pot. It's so thoroughly infested with these creatures some are even coming out of the drain holes. I have 3 questions: What type of crawlers are…
Joseph Wit
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Can I use ladybugs on herbs while treating trees in the same garden with imidacloprid?

I have a smallish garden. With several sections, unconnected by soil. In one section I am growing trees that are being dosed with systemic imidacloprid. Near by, but in pots, I am growing some herbs that currently use no insecticide. To deal with…
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Are Daminix tick tubes locally effective in controlling ticks?

This is a very appealing option for low impact tick control, but do they actually diminish the local tick populations significantly? Do they control more than just the deer tick?
That Idiot
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