These black beetles with the four ye How -to -orange spots on their backs are difficult to 

 control. Sprays of carbaryl (Sevin) may be helpful. Use 2 table spoonfuls per gallon 

 of water in your garden. Diazinon sprays around garbage containers and in some vegetables 

 may also be helpful. Do not harvest tomatoes for at least 24 hours after application. 

 Follow label directions for use in home gardens. 



Fall webworms are beginning to appear on shade trees. They spin webs around the ends of 

 branches , especially of birch, ash, and elm. Tawny-colored hairy caterpillars skeletonize 

 the foliage inside the webbing. They continue to extend the web to take in fresh foliage. 

 Prune out infested limbs and burn webs where larvae are located, or break open web and 

 spray with malathion at the rate of 2 teaspoonfuls per gallon of water. 



WEEDS 



2,4-D drifting to gardens . Each year 2,4-D affects some vegetables and fruits in adjacent 

 or nearby cornfields. "Should the produce be eaten? In most situations it is probably 

 all right. 



The LD50 for various 2,4-D formulations varies from about 375 to 850 mg./kg. For 2,4-D 

 ester, the LD50 is about 650 mg./kg. --the equivalent of about 1 ounce per 100 pounds. So, 

 if a 100-pound person consumes 1 ounce of 2,4-D ester, he should be concerned. The amount 

 could be lethal . 



The amount of 2,4-D that drifts to a garden varies considerably with spray pressure, volume 

 of water used, wind direction, and other factors. 



As an example, let's assume you apply the recommended rate- -1/4 pound of 2,4-D, or one- 

 half pint of concentrate, per acre--to a cornfield. Assume that 25 percent--a highly 

 exaggerated rate--of the 2,4-D drifts to the garden. Such a drift level would result in 

 1 ounce (by weight) of actual 2,4-D being spread over a full acre, or 2 fluid ounces (4 

 tablespoons) of the liquid 2,4-D concentrate on a full acre . 



This small amount of 2,4-D might have some effect on plants, but it is unlikely that it 

 could cause an acute toxicity problem to humans. Only a portion of the 2,4-D would be on 

 the edible plant parts and it would be impossible for one individual to consume the produce 

 from an acre at one sitting. 



Of the 2,4-D that drifts to a garden, some will be deposited on the soil, some on the non- 

 edible plant parts, and only a portion on some of the edible plant parts. 



2,4-D is not very persistent and usually decomposes rather fast during a few weeks of warm 

 moist weather. Its effect on plants may be evident for some time, however. 



Accidental ingestion of the liquid concentrate because of improper storage and handling is 

 the major concern. All concentrates should be properly stored and carefully handled, 

 especially around children. 



Although eating plants affected by 2,4-D does not seem a cause for alarm, there are two 

 other considerations. Some individuals may be allergic or particularly sensitive to certain 

 herbicides just as some individuals are sensitive to bee stings, drugs, plants, and pollen. 

 Little research has been done on this relationship for herbicides, so be careful. 



