Pest control

[juster]

Gary, thanks very much for the information about that vine weevil killer; it looks very hopeful so I shall give it a try. Liz, I'll be interested to know how you get on with biological control in your outside pots.

[iann]

I tried the Bug Clear Ultra and that was the year I got root mealies. It may be a coincidence or they may have been lurking for years, but it certainly didn't kill them all as I would expect from Provado. On the plus side, it is labelled as effective against spider mites.

[Mal H]

Eric - this year I tried neem oil as a preventive measure against mites out of despair at other treatment failures.
I did not want oil/detergent emulsion on my plants after past damage, so I used it as a soil drench.

So far so good......

Anyone else using neem as a soil drench?

[Keith H]

I have been using the Bug Clear Ulta this year, I have not noticed that it is any less effective but have noticedthat it is more expensive than Pravdo requiring 60ml to a L (? dilution that was off the top of my head) of water the little bottle does not go far.

[madpenguin]

Eric - this year I tried neem oil as a preventive measure against mites out of despair at other treatment failures.
I did not want oil/detergent emulsion on my plants after past damage, so I used it as a soil drench.

So far so good......

Anyone else using neem as a soil drench?

I think I might try it as a soil drench.Apparently neem oil can work as a systemic when used this way.I have also read that the smell can be a deterrent as well.
http://www.discoverneem.com/neem-oil-insecticide.html

[madpenguin]

Just wondering how I would actually apply a soil drench.
Is it simply standing pots in the solution until the soil is 'drenched' or just watering in?
I assume the first option is best and with clay pots the neem oil would penetrate that and maybe kill bugs living on the underside.
How would you do it?

[juster]

I have bought some of the Bug Clear Ultra now and Keith I quite agree, at a dilution of 60 ml to 1 litre, it is likely to be an expensive option. I just hope it is effective!
Madpenguin, I prefer to give insecticides as a drench as there is no risk of marking the plants. I have always just watered it in, this certainly worked fine with Provado VW killer and with stronger systemics in the past.