Sevin Dust - other options? - Ask Extension
We had a friend stop by who is a Master Gardener in Iowa. She looked at our gardens and said we have a number of bug issues going on (you mentioned mi...
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Sevin Dust - other options? #465550
Asked June 26, 2018, 12:43 PM EDT
We had a friend stop by who is a Master Gardener in Iowa. She looked at our gardens and said we have a number of bug issues going on (you mentioned mites earlier) and we should dust everything with something like Sevin. I have a few questions about this.
1. Is there anything else comparable to Sevin that is less toxic?
2. Is it possible to get Sevin or whatever else is available in bigger containers, bulk maybe? Maybe from a feed mill?
3. How often should we apply this to make sure we kill everything?
This year isn't the best year for our gardens - both veggie and flowers - cuz of mites and whatever else is getting our plants. So we may as well hit the bugs hard this year in hopes of having it pretty well licked next year.
Goodhue County Minnesota
Expert Response
To answer your three questions:
1). The vast majority of chemical insecticides, like Sevin, are highly toxic to virtually all insects. This include significant pollinators.
2). I am sure that you would be able to purchase Sevin in bulk quantities. You would have to call around at dealers to explore this.
3). Apply Sevin according to directions on the container.
The University of Minnesota has a good publication that lists a number of insecticides and the insects they affect. In looking at this publication, keep in mind that the active ingredient in Sevin is carbayl.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/landscape-insecticide-suggestions/#names
Here are a three other sites you might want to look at:
https://www.gardentech.com/blog/how-to-guides/faq-i-just-bought-sevin-lawn-granules-now-what-do-i-do
https://www.gardentech.com/products/sevin/sevin-concentrate-bug-killer
https://www.gardentech.com/products/sevin/sevin-lawn-insect-granules
Again, to repeat myself, the use of Sevin may have a detrimental effect upon the pollinators that are useful for your garden. Please follow application procedures that accompany the product.
1). The vast majority of chemical insecticides, like Sevin, are highly toxic to virtually all insects. This include significant pollinators.
2). I am sure that you would be able to purchase Sevin in bulk quantities. You would have to call around at dealers to explore this.
3). Apply Sevin according to directions on the container.
The University of Minnesota has a good publication that lists a number of insecticides and the insects they affect. In looking at this publication, keep in mind that the active ingredient in Sevin is carbayl.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/landscape-insecticide-suggestions/#names
Here are a three other sites you might want to look at:
https://www.gardentech.com/blog/how-to-guides/faq-i-just-bought-sevin-lawn-granules-now-what-do-i-do
https://www.gardentech.com/products/sevin/sevin-concentrate-bug-killer
https://www.gardentech.com/products/sevin/sevin-lawn-insect-granules
Again, to repeat myself, the use of Sevin may have a detrimental effect upon the pollinators that are useful for your garden. Please follow application procedures that accompany the product.
Is there an organic option or something that wont hurt the pollinators in the garden?
Unfortunately the options are few. Pollinators are insects and the bugs in your garden are also insects. Chemical insecticides do not differentiate. However one option is something called Neem oil. Some gardeners have had good success with it; others have not.
Here is some information about it:
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/neemgen.html
You may want to try it. I know it can be obtained from Amazon.
Also check out:
https://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/8-natural-homemade-insecticides-save-your-garden-without-killing-earth.com
Keep in mind that to be effective these other alternatives may require more work and time.
Good Lucik!!
Here is some information about it:
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/neemgen.html
You may want to try it. I know it can be obtained from Amazon.
Also check out:
https://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/8-natural-homemade-insecticides-save-your-garden-without-killing-earth.com
Keep in mind that to be effective these other alternatives may require more work and time.
Good Lucik!!
