Including Botanical Oil-Based Pesticides in an IPM Program

Recommended rates often list a higher, moderate, and lower rate of use. The lowest rate is to be used when there is a known phytotoxicity issue in a specific crop or the botanical insecticide is being used as a preventative. The lower rate, most times, can be sprayed repeatedly on crops without risks of phytotoxicity and keeping pest populations at bay. The highest rate is often for rescue use, or rather when the pest population has grown to a point where a more aggressive spray is needed. 

Knowing what rate to use on crops is up to the grower. If there are known phytotoxicity issues in the crop species, then a lower rate would be wise. If you are looking to prevent pests throughout the season, you would want to spray at a lower rate consistently.

Understanding the pest economic threshold is also very important for proper spray applications. Growers can consult a Pest Control Advisor (PCA) or can research economic thresholds of pests online. One good resource for growers is the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.

Many botanical oil-based pesticides have a recommended period between sprays – referred to as application intervals in a label. This allows insects to emerge and the pesticide to attack different life stages of the pests.  

TetraCURB^TM MAX have very low risks of phytotoxicity, with high efficacy. Making them a great insecticide for growers who want to start using botanicals.

If you are looking to add a highly effective, easy-to-use product into your integrated pest management program, check out TetraCURB MAX!

Seven Tips for Application Timing, Rates, and Combination of Botanical Oil-Based Pesticides

Now that you’ve chosen a product and want to include it in your integrated pest management program, here are some tips for applying botanical pesticides to your crops:

1. Know the seasonality of your crops and the pests you wish to target. Plan ahead when you want to apply and mitigate pest populations. This will help keep you below pest thresholds.
2. Adopt a proactive approach instead of a reactive one. It is practical to have a solid integrated pest management program that prevents pest populations from growing to a rescue level.
3. Always follow the label directions. The product has been tested and is effective at the rates, application and combination suggested on the label. Using these suggestions can maximize your control over pests.
4. Get an even application coverage. This will ensure that the product works to the best of its ability and controls pests the way it was intended to.
5. Include a botanical biological in your tank mix. The addition of modes of action will help prevent insect pesticide resistance and elevate your current IPM program, especially if you are also using conventional chemistries.
6. Consult a professional resource when you’re unsure. There are great resources online that provide recommendations on pest control, as well as talented and knowledgeable industry professionals at companies like Kemin Crop Technologies experts who can offer advice.
7. Attend conferences and tradeshows to boost your knowledge of biological pest control. There are great opportunities for growers to learn more about sustainable crop protection and talk with botanical companies about their products. See a list of tradeshows you might be interested in here!

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