This product appears to contain the active ingredient imidacloprid, which is a systemic pesticide that is restricted in Maryland. The Pollinator Protection Act made this and other chemical ingredients in the pesticide category called neonicotinoids illegal for the general public to purchase and apply outdoors. Only certified pesticide applicators can still use them, and they are certified by the MD Dept. of Agriculture (MDA). Many landscaping companies, arborists, and private pesticide applicators hold a license that allows them to apply pesticides, so hiring one to treat a plant if a neonicotinoid is called for will probably not be difficult.

Neonicotinoids are not necessary for the treatment of some pests; what particular type of insect are you having a problem with, and what kind of plant is it damaging? We might be able to suggest an alternative.

Miri

Fortunately aphids are generally not going to cause serious damage on plants and can be ignored; plenty of beneficial insects (ladybugs, lacewings, tiny wasps, and more) and even songbirds consume aphids eagerly and reduce their numbers. Hosing-off foliage or stems with aphid population booms can also be an easy way to instantly reduce the population while avoiding unnecessary pesticide use. If a spray is warranted, horticultural oil or insecticidal soap is best since they are among the lowest-toxicity options and work on contact.

Japanese Beetle adults cause some chewing damage but rarely kill a plant, and can be plucked off by hand in the morning hours while it's still cool and dropped into a pan or bucket of soapy water to drown. This not only instantly reduces the potential for plant damage (which is mainly only an eyesore since the branches can leaf back out again), but also reduces the chances of more beetle arrivals since they can fly into areas with existing beetle outbreaks due to pheromones released by the group. Spray options for the adults, only if needed, include the active ingredient spinosad, which can be absorbed into treated leaves and kills the beetles that chew on them. If used, the product label should include beetles, if not Japanese Beetles specifically; follow instructions as listed because more than one treatment may be needed. While pyrethrin-type insecticides can kill beetles on contact, they are riskier to use when pollinators and other beneficial insects maybe visiting the plant.

The more common pest we see damaging rose foliage (here too, not fatally, just as an eyesore) is Roseslug Sawfly. Despite their name, they are not slugs and the adults are not flies, though the larvae doing the chewing look superficially like a caterpillar. More information about management options and what to look for can be found on our Sawflies web page plus the rose diagnostic web page.

Miri