Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

How to apply pesticide

chambers.oliver.oc8pSnsdUbchambers.oliver.oc8pSnsdUb Posts: 7
in Plants
I’m going to apply a pesticide spray (Bug Clear Ultra) via a pressure sprayer, to a small orange tree that is infested with scale insects.

I understand the pesticide needs to absorb into the tree for it to work, but I’m not sure how much to spray on and whether I should leave it until it all soaks in, or wash it off after a length of time.

Help please!
«1

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Can't you just rub them off with a toothbrush dipped in spirits -  Alcohol or decorator's?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • chambers.oliver.oc8pSnsdUbchambers.oliver.oc8pSnsdUb Posts: 7
    I’ve tried that sort of thing, they keep coming back
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    You don't need to use pesticide for scale insects. I removed some from my Neriums yesterday, using just water and an old toothbrush, or you can use methylated spirit or a hand sanitiser that contains alccohol, dabbed on with a small paint brush or a bit of cotton wool.
    If you must use pesticide then the label should tell you how to apply it safely and effectively. My garden has managed to survive  for many years without using any.

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    It is a systemic insecticide so is absorbed throughout the plant. Including any fruit it produces I'd imagine.

    I use the toothbrush or old shoe brush method when any of my plants get scale insects, but if you intend to use it, use it close to sunset when most insects are not about and there's no sun.
    Spray the tops and bottoms of the leaves, but no need to overdo it. No need to wash off.
    It's not a contact insecticide, so it will take a few days to start working.

    I'd also check on the bottle that there are no warnings against using it on citrus plants.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • chambers.oliver.oc8pSnsdUbchambers.oliver.oc8pSnsdUb Posts: 7
    Pete.8 said:
    It is a systemic insecticide so is absorbed throughout the plant. Including any fruit it produces I'd imagine.

    I use the toothbrush or old shoe brush method when any of my plants get scale insects, but if you intend to use it, use it close to sunset when most insects are not about and there's no sun.
    Spray the tops and bottoms of the leaves, but no need to overdo it. No need to wash off.
    It's not a contact insecticide, so it will take a few days to start working.

    I'd also check on the bottle that there are no warnings against using it on citrus plants.
    The tree hasn’t produced fruit this year or many new leaves, I assume due to the scale insects (there were hundreds of them). Some of the branches have started to die as well.

    The tree lives inside these days but will spray and leave it outside for a few days whilst the pesticide does it’s work.

    I’ve tried to get rid of them manually a couple of times before. I must keep missing some of them as they keep coming back, despite the tree being indoors. It’s hard to find them all!
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    They are not really suitable to keep indoors all year and that maybe the cause of your problems.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited July 2022
    I think you are trying to grow your Orange tree in adverse conditions. They are really not suitable for the UK, your tree is letting you know that. You will always have a continuous fight to keep it healthy. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited July 2022
    I think better cultivation would improve the health of your plant and reduce the scale insects as a strong, healthy plant can fight them off better.

    My citrus plants spend most of the time outside, only going into the polytunnel for 2 or 3 months in winter.  They get fed with specialist citrus feed and have the top layer of compost refreshed every spring.  When outside I water them regularly and when in the polytunnel I water them occasionally and rinse their foliage to remove dust.

    I never use pesticides as they can be indiscriminate and affect the good guys and I don't want any birds eating affected pests.

    if you must use a pesticide, read and follow the instructions about dosage and apply to both sides of the leaves and the stems and do it at sunset when fewer insects are flying around.  Leave the product on the plant.  do not rinse it off.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • chambers.oliver.oc8pSnsdUbchambers.oliver.oc8pSnsdUb Posts: 7
    Cheers for the advice all.

    what about caterpillars? Last time the tree was outside they ate so many leaves…

    Thought I’d post some pictures of said tree…

  • chambers.oliver.oc8pSnsdUbchambers.oliver.oc8pSnsdUb Posts: 7
    Definitely lots of very small green caterpillars  :)
Sign In or Register to comment.