Friday, February 24, 2012

Aza-what Now?

Next, in the eagerly anticipated insecticide series:

NAME: AzaGuard

WHAT IT IS: A 3% Azadirachtin solution Insect Growth Regulator (IGR), a substance derived from neem oil from the neem tree which is native to India. Meets National Organic Program requirements.

HOW IT WORKS: Prevents molting ("regulates growth") between larval, pupal, and nymphal stages, as well as repelling insects.

HOW TO USE IT: Apply using a tank pump pressure sprayer as a foliar (leaf) spray or a soil soak to control nematodes. 2 to 3 applications at 7 to 10 day intervals. Use for lots of pests, including: beetles, aphids, armyworms, budworms, cutworms, fungus gnats (I'm pretty sure we have those in one of the greenhouses), houseflies, caterpillars, weevils, whiteflies, root knot nematodes...and more!

DANGER ZONE: Eye, skin, respiratory irritation. Wear safety glasses and other badass PPE. Avoid "uncontrolled releases" of this product. It is also combustible, so no sparking up whilst spritzing. Toxic to birds and aquatic invertebrates. The U.S. EPA blurb on azadirachtin recommends not applying it while honeybees are "actively foraging", and states that it has minimal adverse effects on humans and wildlife...except, of course for the innocent beneficial insects that find themselves in the path of foliar spray action.

SOUNDS LIKE...: They're trying to make it sound like a potent and effective pest control tool instead of Ayurvedic soap.

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