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Pennsylvania

I'm getting ready for this year's growing season and I've learned from last year that pesticides are a neccessary evil. I'm trying to go mostly organic this year. I'm not going 100% organic, as I'm just doing it for its advantages such as increased soil microbes etc., not for ethical reasons like ridding the world of pesticides. I know that a lot of people refrain from using pesticides and stuff because it can wreak havoc on our soil microbes, but what about sevin? As far as I read, Carbaryl, the acte ingrdient in Sevin, is readily mebolized by becteria, fungus, the plant itself, and many other microbes. The only reasons I can thik of not to apply it is if your well is unusualy susceptible to contaminants or if you have a dog or something that likes to roam your patch. For our growing purposes, (Just trying to get a big freakin' pumpkin) is Sevin a guilt free layer of protection? If so, how often can it be used?

3/9/2009 5:25:42 PM

Falls City, NE

Hi Sam EIGHT might be a better it donesn't burn and you can use it just about anything up 3 days of picking. and it seems to have staying power also. I have used it for serveral years on my garden and it stops cucumber bettles and squash bugs as well as SVB. As I said it's not as toxic as Sevin

Dennis

3/9/2009 5:58:33 PM

Columbus,ohio

I have heard from some growers that seven dosn't work...also I read some place that if chemicals get in to the soil it is nutrilized the microbes.

3/9/2009 7:05:26 PM

So. Maine

It takes just a light dusting of seven to kill off the cucumber beetles here.

3/9/2009 8:16:19 PM

Alex, IN

Use Triazacide, seven wont kill Squash Vine Borers. I used triazacide for a few years before I got better stuff, I never had any bug problems while useing it.

3/9/2009 10:11:02 PM

Western NY

sevin works for everything except SVB's.

Triazacide/Warrior-T/ Scimitar CS....ect, are great but seem to act (from what i've seen) as more like repellents. There's something satisfying from seeing dozens of cuke beetles scattered around your seedling.

I use sevin early, then switch to Warrior once the plants start vining out.

3/9/2009 10:23:33 PM

Pennsylvania

giant pumpkin peep, I'll see if I can get you a link about how microbes can metabolize sevin, then we'll try to make a decision on if it is safe for microbes or not. Now, about the SVB's. Don't ask me why, but I think my patch is blessed or something. I have never even seen an SVB my entire life where I live. We get cuke's and squash bugs pretty badd tough, but none of those have that one-hit KO effect of the SVB.

3/9/2009 10:47:10 PM

Columbus,ohio

Gladly it dosn't talk about seven in general but here ya go -

http://organiclifestyles.tamu.edu/soil/microbeindex.html

g down to FAQ 5 I belive. I have heard sevin insn't as harsh...I have heard some good growers say that sevin dosn't work around here on cuke beetles. I didn't say metabolize

3/9/2009 11:01:15 PM

[email protected]

Hey Sam, where in PA are you located?

3/10/2009 9:14:57 AM

Greenville,Pa.

Sam and PA Punkin Pharmer, where in Pa are you located?

3/10/2009 9:37:23 AM

I never really used Sevin until I started growing AGs. But it seems to be the most effective pesticide for striped cucumber beetles in these parts. My dad, the old berry grower and beekeeper, cautioned me on using Sevin, “that stuff is really hard on bees.”

Turns out, he was right. Carbaryl can be very tough on bees. So, it should be used with caution. I spray in the evening, after bee activity has ceased, and of course, when it’s calm. Like most things, it can be used effectively and safely; but you really should follow the precautions on the label to ensure the latter as well as the former.

The following website has some good information on Sevin and other chemicals, scroll down to the sections entitled “Protecting Bees from Pesticides” and “Specific Problems” for some good information.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AA145

This next website has some information on a modified formulation of Sevin, which, combined with good spray practices, may reduce the risk to bees further.

http://www.pnn.wsu.edu/MiscellaneousInfo/Sevin_xlr_bees_tox_Pos_paper.pdf

I’ve always used the regular formulation, but again, try and follow best practices in terms of application time, conditions, etc., whatever you use.

Good luck.

3/10/2009 11:42:30 AM

Meadville, PA

Pa does in fact have SVBs, found out in my first yr of growing, Remember to remove the sheet from your fruit when spraying.

3/10/2009 12:37:40 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

PA definately has SVB. A regiment of Merit 75WP and Triazicide works very effectively.

3/10/2009 1:45:34 PM

Pennsylvania

I live in Andreas, it's about 5 or 6 miles from Lehighton.

3/10/2009 3:42:19 PM

[email protected]

I'm in Central PA, the little town of Grampian, PA.

3/11/2009 9:07:51 AM

Pennsylvania

So do you get any SVB's? Seems like everyone here is having a little trouble believing this unexplainable phenomenon.

3/11/2009 4:14:43 PM

[email protected]

I've only ever seen two SVB's. One last year and one the year before. I've never found one in a plant. So they are here just not many of them.

3/11/2009 8:12:36 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Sam, Lehighton is only about 30 miles from me. I live about 15 min south of Allentown.

3/12/2009 12:24:22 PM