I thought Rotenone-Pyrethrins is suppose to be safe?
greenthumbnick
15 years ago
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justaguy2
15 years agodigdirt2
15 years agoRelated Discussions
Spraying protection using rotenone
Comments (18)Fruitgirl is correct. Although the main organic certifying agency OMRI does somewhat take into account health risks. As I recall they currently don't allow Rotenone. Synthetic doesn't automatically mean safer either. There are some synthetic products that I would judge safer than some organic, and vice versa. It's really a judgment call that can include a lot of factors: acute toxicity, carcinogenic potential (which is also an issue for natural substances) reproductive issues, and of course the effect on the environment. Here is a site you can look up some of that info. for just about any pesticide. I' reluctant to post this site, because I think they are a bit alarmist. Their attitude seems, the only good pesticide is a banned pesticide. For instance, even the organic pesticide spinosad, they list as a possible endoctrine distruptor, and possible developmental toxin. Nevertheless, they do have some good hard data on each pesticide. Also residue levels can be an indication of toxicity potential. The Maximum Residue Levels Database are internationally accepted levels of pesticide residues on food crops, or in the case of the U.S., FDA accepted residue levels. For example, Spinosad has a Max residue level of 0.2ppm and Triazicide (gamma cyhalothrin)has a MRL of 0.5ppm. Of course there are other factors involved (i.e. how fast the pesticide breaks down) Organic pesticides generally break down faster which gives less of a residue, but also means it must be applied more frequently. Ultimately, you have to make the decision what to use, but to try to give some specific answer to your question, synthetic pyrethroids are considered one of the safer insecticides to humans, compared to other insecticides....See MoreAvoid Rotenone Please
Comments (9)Rotenone has only limited uses left for home use. Soon to be a restricted-use chemical, not available for home use. I had heard rumors so emailed the Oregon Dept of Agriculture for facts. This is, in part, is the response --- "Back in 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the companies that sell products containing rotenone made the decision to cancel all livestock, residential/homeowner, domestic pet, and all other uses of rotenone except for "fish-kill" uses. This decision has been gradually implemented since that time." And more -- "In Oregon, for products containing rotenone, as of this date: We still have two (2) home/garden products registered for use on fruits/vegetables, one (1) product registered for use on pets (dog/cat/rabbit), and one (1) product registered for commercial agricultural use on fruit/vegetable crops. There is a final cancellation action pending at EPA that proposes that all of these products will no longer be allowed to be SOLD after May 2011."...See MoreRotenone Danger
Comments (8)Dorothy, I am truly sorry to hear of your husband's diagnosis. I am glad to see you sounding the alarm about rotenone. For years I have tried to emphasize that just because a product is "organic" does not mean it is safe. There are many so-called organic products that are probably as dangerous to the applicator as the chemical products they are intended to replace. For example, it is getting harder and harder to find pure diatomaceous earth that does not have chemical pesticides added to it. Now, every time I mention DE, I think I will have to emphasize that people who are trying to avoid chemicals need to read the DE bag's label first because many commercial firms are adding pesticides that comprise 5% to 15% of the product. This kind of thing makes me nuts. Back in the olden days when I was just a kid, there were a LOT of "organic" remedies that were incredibly dangerous. I remember one was called "Black Death" and it was a nicotine-type produce derived from tobacco. Who would spray that on their plants nowadays? For years, Howard Garrett (Dirtdoctor.com) has been "preaching to the choir" about some commonly-used organic remedies that he believes are inherently dangerous for various reasons. Thanks to the Dirt Doctor, I have gradually dropped the usage of many organic products I once used. Like you, I am down to using DE and lots of home-made stuff like garlic-hot pepper tea, red pepper flakes, baking soda sprays, etc. I also rely more on biologically-derived solutions like semasphore for grasshoppers, some of the Bt strains for various insects (mostly for mosquito dunks in the ponds and for potato bugs but NOT for caterpillars any more 'cause I love the butterflies), Sluggo (off-label) for sow bugs and pill bugs, and spinosad for fire ant control. When I started hearing the Dirt Doctor saying things like "don't use this or that because they have added this or that to it, and it is dangerous", I was frustrated. I remember thinking to myself "At the rate it's going, there won't be anything else to use." Well, since then I have found that I can control pests without most of that chemical OR organic stuff, so I have calmed down. Oh, and I forgot to mention beneficial insects. The lady bugs, green lacewings and parasitic wasps go a l-o-n-g way towards keeping the 'bad bugs' under control. Dorothy, I know a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is a serious one and you have a lot to deal with. If you ever need to talk about it, or need cheering up on a bad day, don't forget your on-line gardening buddies are here for you, OK? Dawn...See MoreTSWV pyrethrin suggestions
Comments (1)Actually, it might not be a bad idea to ask some of the large scale growers in your area what they are doing, or if they even have a problem. Since you mentioned the roses, I think you probably already know that thrips are a major vector for TSWV, and that it certainly doesn't help to have host plants for the thrips in the same general area as the tomatoes. As far assessing 'OK' and 'safe', that really has to be your decision as to pyrethrins. I've been known to use pyrethrin on occasion, but I don't use pyrethroids (tends to be more persistent, hence can be more toxic to humans). Here is a link that might be useful: pyrethrins and pyrethroids...See Moregreenthumbnick
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Peter (6b SE NY)