Re: Why treat for grubs??
In a message dated 3/3/00 4:36:22 PM Eastern Standard Time, LIpumpkin@aol.com
writes:
<< ns@mallorn.com
Hi all....now I may be wrong here but I believe that the intended use of
Grubbex as it pertains to this list and Pumpkinguy's comments was not to
kill
cutworms or the common grubs,but to kill VINE BORERS.The chemical in Grubbex
is systemic...meaning it is absorbed into the plant tissues via roots and
circulates throughout the plant.When a vine borer eats his way into your
vine
it is theorized that he will ingest a toxic dose of MERIT,the chemical in
Grubbex,and die before doing too much damage.I don't think the comments were
intended to kill the beetle grubs(japanese beetles,may beetles,june bugs
etc....) although it will do this if applied correctly and at the right time.
I have found that these beetle grubs(th >>
Glenn,
I had a real bad grub problem 2 years ago. Every fork of soil would bring
up 2 or 3! I must have had 10's of thousands of those little suckers eating
my roots. I was actually more interested in the root damage than the borers.
The Grubex did a good job for me, I applied in the spring and didn't see
hardly any later. I use Asana for vine borers.....much more effective but
very expensive and you need a permit to buy it. Sevin offers little control
for the borers and actually is not labeled for borer control in pumpkins.
Sevin works well on cucumber beetles but borers and squash bugs laugh at it.
Methoxyclor is probably the chemical of choice if you don't have a private
applicators licence. Methoxychlor will be coming off the market for the
manufacturer has decided not to spend the megabucks to have it recertified.
If you use Methoxyclor, better grab some before it disappears off the
shelves. At least I heard a rumor from a reliable source that Methoxyclor may
be disappearing. For organic growers, I think you can use Rotenone 5%. It is
not as effective as Asana. I highly recommend that anyone using chemicals,
go to your local cooperative extension and take the pesticide training that
they offer. You will get a licence to buy more effective pesticides, but more
important, they will train you in the proper application and safety aspects.
I have seen postings on this group where chemicals were being applied
improperly. People covering everything (including themselves) with Captan
comes to mind. The New England Pumpkin Growers has directed all competitors
to remove Captan coatings from stems etc. before bringing the pumpkin to
Topsfield. This is definitely nothing you want to be bathing in. So go out
there and get some training.......nows the time...........call monday and
find out.........it's not that time consuming...........it might save your
life..........you will have a wider choice of things available to you. My
lecture is over, off the soap box......Glenn this lecture was not pointed at
you.....it was for the group. You just happened to have an e mail I could
attach to :) .
pumkinguy
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