Summer Means Insects

June 12, 2020 | By: Gary Snyder

It might seem that insects choose to annoy us during the summer months. The truth is insects are ectothermic, or “cold-blooded” creatures, meaning that their body temperature depends on their external environment. So, when the summer temperatures ramp up, so does the insect activity. It’s up to you to figure out how to manage these now highly mobile, hungry, sex-obsessed young adults that are invading your properties. Kind of like Spring Break for Insects, right? 

First and most importantly, correct identification of the insect you are attempting to control is critical. Green Velvet can help you. Contrary to popular belief, not all insects are bad. So, make sure you are targeting the insect doing the damage and not just eradicating everything with 6 or 8 legs. Knowing the pest and its life cycle can allow you to determine if you still have enough time to apply a systemic control product, keeping in mind that some may take up to 6 weeks to move through the entire plant or tree.

If you don’t have enough time for systemics, relax, there are contact or “rescue” products that will give you the control you need, just realize that most contacts are short lived, so second applications may be necessary, depending on where in the life cycle of the insect you discover them. 

If you can’t inject or don’t want to, Green Velvet can help you select the correct insect control. Our Talstar Pro & QP Bifenthrin (Bifenthrin) & D-Fense SC (Deltamethrin) selections offer quick knockdown with little residual for most general leaf eaters, suckers, and aphids. Onyx (Bifenthrin, higher a.i. %) will give you a quick knockdown and up to 2 months of residual. For borers, Safari and Zylam (Dinotefuran) would be the flavors of choice for a quick systemic knockout when basal trunk applied.

Remember to read the LABEL, making sure the insect you are going after is listed on the LABEL. Follow the LABEL recommendations of when, how, and where to apply. Please also keep in mind that Imidacloprid and Dinotefuran families can’t be applied to Lindens, Basswoods, or any other Tilia species. 
For the 8-legged critters I referred to earlier, Green Velvet can help you with a wide selection of miticides too!

The bottom line: The bad news is that summer means insects. The good news is that Green Velvet can help you win the battle with insects.