,a*^ 



THE GREEN SPOT 



Resistance and Residues 



It's amazing that something that cannot be seen 

 or detected can kill. But It can — and swiftly. I'm not 

 talking about pesticides, but their residue. 



Pesticide residue can be lethal. Not necessarily to 

 humans or animals (no proof, right?) and not to the 

 pests for which the substance was used, but to the 

 little guys that surround us — the good bugs. 



Resistance Is a very real problem. Grower Bob says 

 the spray he's using Is supposed to be deadly, but the 

 little (expletives) seem to get high on the stuff and 

 come around asking for more. Bob's not been doing 

 anything wrong — unless he's been using the same 

 compound over and over without breaking up the regi- 

 men with different chemical classes, or not following 

 the product's Instructions. If so, he's giving the pests 

 a chance to develop resistance. 



Grower Bob's first spray was pretty effective: most 

 of the bugs died. The second spray was supposed to 

 be done five days later, but Bob held off for ten — the 

 situation looked fine. The bugs that didn't get hit the 

 first time did get their feet wet, but they survived. The 

 second spray was a lot less effective. 



Bob's In trouble. He decides to release Insect 

 predators. But these all die — killed by the residues 

 from the first two sprays. The manufacturer says that 

 the re-entry time is 24 hours, but that doesn't mean 

 it's gone entirely. Even two months later. Bob released 

 some ladybugs to combat an aphid flare-up. Within 24 

 hours, the ladybugs have died. The probable cause — 

 pesticide residues. To avoid Bob's plight: 



1. follow the instructions on the chemical's label 

 to a tee; 



2. alternate chemical classes to avoid resistance; 



3. release good bugs only If you're using biorational 

 products or If you've waited a period of time long 

 enough to let the chemical break down fully. 



For Information abut the exact residual periods of 

 specific chemicals for use with beneflcials, you're Invited 

 to call us at the number listed. Have ready the chemical 

 name as well as the trade name, if possible, also provide 

 the names of the good bugs you'd like to use. 



Mike Cfierim of The Green Spot, 93 Priest Road, Nottingham, 

 NH 03290-6204, can be reached at 603-942-8925. 



Laughton's Garden Center Inc. 



Cal Laughton, Florist 



Distributors of Nursery Overwintering Blankets 



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