RE: Insect problems-ISOTOX = POISON
My understanding of nematodes is as follows:
1) Yes, you will create a population that might be sustained from year to
year. The population resides in the soil and will feed on any crawling
(wormy) insects.
2) They are not harmful at all to nightcrawlers, birds, mammals, or bees.
They are probably not effective on "hard-shelled" insects because they
attach to the exterior of the insect and feed through the soft skin (I don't
know why they avoid nightcrawlers; probably for the same reason that
children avoid broccoli).
2A) Insect-parasitic nematodes are not harmful to vegetation. There are
many nematodes that attack root systems, particularly susceptible tomatoes.
When I lived in Alabama, I had severe problems with nematodes on tomatoes;
the best cure is finding a resistant variety. The insect-parasitic varities
will not contribute to vegetable root problems, however.
3) Because they live in the soil, their population is probably reduced
severely in northern winters; areas with less ground frost are likely to
have bigger population carry-overs.
4) I haven't read anything about their effectiveness on overwintering
borers, maybe because here in Wisconsin the nematodes may not be effective
after a normal winter.
5) Besides the difficulty in sustaining a population through winter, the
nematodes in the soil are largely ineffective for the above-ground borers
because the nematodes don't leave the soil (they will move about within the
soil, however). Thus, the borers on the vines are not in contact with the
nematodes, and you must inject nematodes into the stems as a result. Within
the stem, the nematodes will move about and find the host, so you don't have
to be precise with your aim.
I hope this information gives you some more insight on the pros and cons of
this Weapon of Biological Warfare.
Frank Peregrine
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pumpkins@mallorn.com [o*@mallorn.com]On
Behalf Of Lyle Rockwell
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2000 9:49 PM
To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
Subject: Re: Insect problems-ISOTOX = POISON
Are nematodes harmless to the environment, pets , dogs, children? If they
are okay,
and I understand they are tiny mocrobes of living organisms, why not apply
them to
the soil in early spring when you till, becuase the borers are 1"-5" down
into your
soil in a dormant stage at this time anyways.. will they attack this stage
of a
borers life? or does it have to a be a crawling worm.. ?
Reinsborough wrote:
> Frank, I thought that these nematodes would stay in your soil for up to 2
years
> by killing hundreds of varieties of harmful insects. Why would you not
apply
> them in the spring at planting time, then they have the whole summer to
seek out
> their hosts. I know that this is what is advertised by "Scanmask" produced
by
> "Biologic" . If your soil is inoculated early enough, all "pests" should
be
> eliminated by these predators......Ken Reinsborough
>
> Frank Peregrine wrote:
>
> > Don't poison your plants, your soil and your groundwater with ISOTOX or
> > cygon2e.
> > There is a great organic remedy for vine borers: insect parasitic
> > nematodes. These are the good kind of nematodes (there are supposedly
> > over 500,000 species of nematodes); they feed on crawling insects only.
> > You can inject your infested stems with a warm water solution that
contains
> > thousands of these nematodes, and the nematodes will migrate up and down
the
> > vine
> > cavity until they find Mr. Borer. They will live for many days, and
perhaps
> > weeks,
> > in the vine as they await their feast.
> >
> > I have used this technique with reasonable success. The problems are 1)
> > trying to
> > hone in on the borers with your injections, 2) timing the injections
> > correctly and
> > 3) having a supply on hand when you need them. You need to get them
> > reasonably fresh
> > and keep them in your refrigerator until their release. Getting 100%
> > results is difficult
> > but achievable with proper planning.
> >
> > They also work GREAT with ear worms on sweet corn. A little squirt
inside
> > each ear at the
> > time the silk is becoming prominent is all it takes. I got 100%
eradication
> > this way.
> >
> > Most organic grower suppliers will carry nematodes. They aren't
> > particularly cheap, but, then again, neither is the Indiana seed
auction!
> >
> > Frank Peregrine
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-pumpkins@mallorn.com [o*@mallorn.com]On
> > Behalf Of John Failor
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2000 1:54 AM
> > To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
> > Subject: Re: Insect problems-ISOTOX
> >
> > Does anyone have any experience with ISOTOX for borers?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > John
> >
> > > LEE,
> > >
> > >
> > > I had vine borers all last summer i used a prosuct called cygon2e.
It's a
> > > systemic used on birch trees but also on certain vegetable crops. It
also
> > > has a growth hormone in it. Used three applications and even when they
> > were
> > > present I knew as soon as they ate part of the plant they would die. I
had
> > > holes in my vine but no damage. Also you can try ISOTOX. Hope this
helps .
> > >
> > > ANDREW
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Lee Robertson <robertson@ispchannel.com>
> > > To: pumpkins@mallorn.com <pumpkins@mallorn.com>
> > > Date: January 24, 2000 11:08 PM
> > > Subject: Insect problems
> > >
> > >
> > > >Hi,
> > > >
> > > > This spring will be the beginning of my third year of growing AG
> > > >pumpkins in East Tennessee. I have a problem with squash borers
> > > >getting into my pumpkins, squash, and zuccini. I have tried dusting
> > > >them with Sevin which helps, but by the end of june the vine on my
> > > >plants will completely gone from where it originally sprouted.
> > > >The plants do not usually die because by then they have secondary
> > > >roots that grew from nodes futher along the vine. Although they
> > > >continue to be consumed, sort of like a fuse burning. I don't think
> > > >I can get large pumkins this way (so far my largest has been ~100lbs)
> > > >since the vine where the pumpkin is attached is usually attacked
> > > >a few weeks after the fruit is set. If I slice the vine open when
> > > >it begins to look "sick" I find lots of big "ugly" green/yellow
> > > >worms inside. Also I see "holes" in the vine with something
> > > >that looks like sawdust coming out.
> > > >
> > > >In addition to the dusting with sevin, I go out once or twice a
> > > >week or so and "squash" all the eggs (usually where the leaf meets
> > > >its stem) I can find. Usually every leaf will have some. Its clear
I'm
> > > >not using the best instecticide.
> > > >
> > > >What do other people use??
> > > >
> > > >--Lee
> > > >
> > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------
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--
***Rocky Rockwell***
Personal site - http://home.Cyber-Quest.com/Rocky.R
Pennsylvania Giant Pumpkin Grower's Association - http://www.PGPGA.com
Is a bear Catholic? Does the Pope ... ahh nevermind..... :o)
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