Tiny orange pests! It begins...

Sigh... I called but couldn't get through to the local shop that has the predatory insects.
While the phone was ringing I noticed on their website that even though the store is open until 5:30 they don't answer the phone after 4:00. I'll have to try again tomorrow [progressive-growth.com]

Also the thrips are back... only noticed a couple little orange bugs but the signs of the eggs are all over the leaves.

I think I'm going to head down to Canadian Tire to get one of the Doktor Doom products I linked to above.

What are y'alls thoughts on the different ones I have available to me right now? They're all about the same price and they're all based on Pyrethrin.

I'm thinking their Insecticide Spray quotes: A strong 0.25% Pyrethrin 1.25% PBO formula
vs the Thrip Killer Spray which quotes: Uses .025% Permethrin which is known for its residual control of insects

I thought that was a typo at first but zooming onto the pic of the bottle confirms it.

I know this won't be a long term stragegy but it is available to be today whereas the other options aren't.

Thanks

Pyrethrin based products are deadly to cats--if you have any of those around the area don't use those products. Otherwise should help.

And I believe that Spinosad is not available to Canadian customers due to your country's regulations. (I'd be curious to hear why not?)

Good luck with the beneficial insects. Hope that comes through

Noooo I lost my long message, where is the auto save draft feature when you need it.

Long story short. I do have a cat but the plants are in large 75L pots with tomato cages around them. She wouldn't be able to get in contact with the plants without jumping directly on top of them.

No idea why our govt banned spinosad, I looked for a few minutes but couldn't find an answer. If you do look it up have fun reading all the legalese mentioning hey Majesty the Queen - we're so weird.

yeah just be careful with it if you want to do it. My pots are similar but I felt it wasn't worth the risk. I worry about the overspray or stuff falling to the ground

Check out those beneficial insects. I'm curious if its affordable

Calling as soon as they open tomorrow. I'd really prefer the predator bugs too. Even though the spray is organic it's still potentially dangerous.

Just called both the Victoria and Nanaimo offices and they don't carry them.

They said they'll be sure to update the website

$32 for 50,000 Amblyseius cucumeris at a local grow store
They order them in on demand though so I won't be able to get them until next Friday.

Think I should just continue to use one of the sprays I already have? Or should I get a pyrethrin spray to hold me over?

mrplowdan said:

$32 for 50,000 Amblyseius cucumeris at a local grow store
They order them in on demand though so I won't be able to get them until next Friday.

Think I should just continue to use one of the sprays I already have? Or should I get a pyrethrin spray to hold me over?

Click to expand...

Nice! That's great!

If I were you I would hold off and not spray until the good bugs get there so that there isn't any residual poison to harm the good bugs.

Keep us updated on how the Amblyseius Cucumeris work!

Too late I sprayed them yesterday afternoon with pyrethrin. A very light mist just to keep them at bay.

I was worried after I saw your message. But I just read that pyrethrin breaks down very quickly, within a of couple days from sunlight. That'll be plenty of time before the cucumeris arrive on Friday.

They're so treated now! I hadn't seen any bugs since last Friday and the plants are looking happy.

I used about 2 tsp sprinkled on each of the four plants. The store recommended 1 tsp but I have way more than I need.

Now just to figure out what to do with the remaining 95% of the package. I'm keeping it inside for now but I'll probably just spread it around my other regular garden plants