I've noticed tiny pin holes in the leaves of my bell peppers, eggplants, ground cherries and cantaloupe. My neighbor told me that heuses a product called Sevin that comes in a spray bottle ready to use.Said he's been using it for years and it works quite well for him. Iguess my question is: would this be a good general purpose insecticidefor use in my vegetable garden?Rich from PA

Sevin is the trade name of an insecticide called carbaryl. It is toxic to mammals, though the feds say of relatively low toxicity. It is anacetylcholinesterase inhibitor, but is broken down quickly in mammals. It is *extremely* toxic to bees, and I think, fish IIRC. It remains one of the most widely used insecticides in American farming, but has been used much less in recent years by home gardeners. I suggest you do a search for "tiny holes in leaves of vegetable plants" and assimilate whatever advice you see in your search. There may be several effective ways of eliminating the problem with natural compounds. A safer, much less toxic chemical alternative (note I did not say it's "non-toxic") is gamma cyhalothrin, sold under the names "Spectracide", "Triazicide" and others. Frankly, it's not super effective, but it helps, and is safer in the long run than carbaryl. But at least check out natural controls first. I can't say specifically which ones, because the tiny holes in your...

Bacillus thuringiensis's that garden doin'?

Is Sevin A Good General Purpose Insecticide?

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Billy 16 years ago

On the other hand, it's not a complete loss, they (mosquitos) are pollinators. Who'd a guessed? Got ribs and corn on the barbi tonight, and citronella candles around the table like some religious event, that it is. The holy sacrament, and the forces of darkness locked into a supernatural conflict. I should probably go pull the cork out of my magic potion that buttresses my faith. And the cry range out, "Bon Appétit."

There are those mosquito eaters that come with propane tanks and pheromones. Industrial strength, like they use in Alaska.

Hope this works out for you. See you on the flip side.

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Naga Jolokia 16 years ago

David, what's BT?

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Billy 16 years ago

Bacillus thuringiensis

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's that garden doin'?

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Jeff Thies 16 years ago

Well, that settles it, the next person that complains abut the skeeters will just have to sacrifice for the good of pollinating the vegetables. Bon Appetit Mosquitos.

As it turns out, I'm full of misconceptions about mosquitos, they don't breed in tall grasses and ground cover and they are poor carriers of heartworm in cats (which I have an abundance of). There is still West Nile, with cases here every year.

Curiously, to me at least, catnip is a repellent.

So, I think I'll take Tony's advice to hunt down even small pools of water, and then plant catnip. What harm is in that? The cats will prefer it over permethrin which curiously is toxic to felines.

I continue to be amazed that unintended consequences is the rule, not the exception.

To you to. I'd trade a big bowl of blackberries for one of those ribs!

Jeff

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David E. Ross 16 years ago

On 5/30/10 7:47 AM, Jeff Thies wrote [in part]:

Be very careful. Catnip is in the mint family and is very invasive. Soon, your garden could be 100% catnip.

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Jeff Thies 16 years ago

Thanks.

I seem to be replacing one invasive species with another. So far I've replaced periwinkle with english ivy and japanese grass with ivy leaf morning glory. I wonder what will replace the mimosa. Wisteria and honeysuckle are just whacked back and tolerated.

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Somewhere along the line I've missed having kudzu, which replaces everything. Trees, houses and slow moving animals.

Jeff

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Bill who putters 16 years ago

Sound like a new topic to me.

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Billy 16 years ago

My catnip has shown no sign of spreading. Three of the cats nuzzle it and take naps next to it. The other 2 just ignore it. It is growing out of a space in a cinderblock, but that wouldn't slow down most mints. The Prunella vugaris, that I count on for BP control, shows up in the most unlikely places around the yard. Fortunately, I still consume more than I grow, so it goes where it will.

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Naga Jolokia 16 years ago

Thanks, Billy.

The garden is doing great; although my back is not doing so well. :-)

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Jeff Thies 16 years ago

Thanks.

I had no idea what it was. None is flowering now and I don't remember where I used to see it. As I recall it was very short.

I think I'll put the catnip in at the garden walk edge next to the english ivy so they can duke it out, I seem to recall that it grew in poor soil and part sun. I had some out with the other mints and I notice now that all the mints are gone. Funny, it was getting invasive, and now it is gone. I think it has been out competed by plants that thrive in the wetter weather of the last couple years. I never really liked mint juleps anyways and I had no other use, although my Czech friend used it like body perfume!

Jeff

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Billy 16 years ago

Gardening is a matter of your enthusiasm holding up until your back gets used to it. ~Author Unknown

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Is Sevin A Good General Purpose Insecticide?

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