Pesticides

Dursban, Orthene, Diazanon, and Malathion are all insecticides, but they are very different chemicals. 
 Please read the labels to make sure you are applying a chemical that is an appropriate poison for the insect 
you wish to kill. All insecticides will kill lots of different pests, but it may not kill the critter that is 
bothering your plants.  Of course, the first thing to do is to identify what's bugging you.

	Any soft-bodied sucking insect (be it green, brown, black, or red) that is congregated on the tenderest 
growth of plants at this time of year (inside or out) is probably an aphid.  They can be removed effectively 
with a spray of water from a garden hose, or a squirt of insecticidal soap.  No heavy-duty insecticide is 
needed.

	If what you have is mites, most insecticides are useless.  Try Kelthane, a miticide.

	If you don't know what you have, see if you can't find a Master Gardener at your local Extension 
office.  I work in my local office two days a week, and the only problem that is presented to us by iris 
growers is borers--or the rot that follows a borer infestation.  The cure for a borer attact is to toss out 
everything in the vicinity and move the iris bed!

Robin Knepper, Culpeper, Va.
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