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Best systemic pest control for houseplants before moving in house

4 years ago

I am in Iowa, and have about a month or less to bring in the house plants. What brand of systemic pest control do you all like to use?

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Comments (3)

popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
4 years ago
Last year, I used these "pill" type capsules from Bayer on my larger plants that come back inside from Summer Camp. You plunge them into the pot under the roots. They seemed to work well on the hibiscus. In fact, the hibiscus seemed to appreciate the extra fertilizer and lost fewer leaves in the transition than in years past. I plan to use them again.
monarae_gw thanked popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
4 years ago
Generally speaking, most growers that have experience using spikes and capsules to deliver nutrients report less than stellar results. Personally, I've had very poor results using a granular vehicle to deliver the systemic insecticide imidacloprid. It's not so much that the insecticide was ineffective; rather, the vehicle being fine, made a notable difference in how much water the soil could hold, which had a notably deleterious effect on root health. I realize a capsule as a method of delivery can't really be compared to a granular delivery vehicle insofar as the insecticidal properties are concerned, but I don't see a significant difference between a capsule and a fertilizer spike that has caused a lot of consternation among the growers who have used the product and reported issues on several forums.

My opinion is, better results can be had by avoiding the shotgun approach and looking at nutrition and pest management as two completely separate parts of our care regimens. I generally use/spray (outdoors only) Bayer Advanced 3-in-1 two to three times at two week intervals before I bring plants in for their winter confinement. If I get busy or lazy and don't get the 3rd treatment before it gets too cold for plants outdoors, I use a solution of 1 tsp of 1.47% imidacloprid in a quart or liter of water as a soil drench. On the occasions where I have noticed a plant with scale during the winter, using the soil drench indoors has always cleared it up within 2 weeks.

Al
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Izzy Mn
4 years ago
I always had good luck with a granular systemic insecticide about a week or more before moving inside to give it time to work. I also give plants a good spray down with hose to cut down on any possible bugs about one week before and again before bringing inside.

https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/bonide-8-oz-systemic-houseplant-insect-control-granules/0000000236642

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