THE ONLY EFFICIENT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE WAY TO BEAT MELON THRIPS, THRIPS PALMI KNOWN AT PRESENT
THRIPS PALMI, an insect pest previously only found in South East Asia has spread its wings and is now doing well in Australia, Europe and possibly on other continents. This little critter is very adaptable and has developed immunity To many commonly used insecticides. Research has shown, whilst natural predators of this pest are susceptible to many of the insecticides used to combat T. Palmi, due to this immunity built up to these insecticides, exponential population increase of T.Palmi results. Tests have shown that the safest and possibly most effective way to combat this pest are insecticidal potassium soaps.
MOECO P/L, an Australian fertiliser manufacturer produces “NEEMTECH INSECTICIDAL POTASSIUM SOAP”. This product is registered with the Biological Farmers Association, (BFA) as a Category A permitted input into organic farming systems. It is also registered as a pesticide with the Australian Government pesticide registration authorities not only for Thrips, but also for a wide range of other pests, including aphids, whitefly, spider mite, two spotted mite and mealy bugs that are also efficaciously and safely dealt with.
Made from cold pressed vegetable oils, including the legendary NEEM OIL, it is considered by Australian Health and Environmental Authorities safe enough to handle and apply without any special precautions.
A research project carried out in the Northern Territory of Australia over three years has shown insecticidal potassium soap to be the only safe and environ-mentally acceptable material to combat T.Palmi.*
In this research G. Young and L. Zhang describe the life cycle of T.Palmi and assert that the use of the commonly used broad spectrum pesticides not only kills the natural predators of T.Palmi, but they are quite ineffective against this pest. Special mention of ineffective insecticides for T.Palmi in this research was: dimethoate, malathion, endosulfan and permethrin. The application of these, it stands to reason, would lead to the demise of most predators effected by these insecticides and a population explosion of T.Palmi.
The work for Young and Zhang did not stop there: alternate strategies to combat T.Palmi were investigated and some proposals were made. These included the keeping of damp soil, because the pupal stages do not take well to a moist environment. The problem with this is, that this may also lead to waterlogging and excessive fungal growth that is generally detrimental to plant health. The use of biological pest control showed that a small insect, Deraeocoris sp., is a very efficient predator. However, of all strategies used, the Insecticidal Potassium Soap was the most effective.
The major insecticidal property of specially formulated insecticidal soaps is based on the fact that potassium fatty acid salts in a small range of molecular weight block the pores of soft-bodied insects and cause suffocation. The side effect seems to be the action of lipids in the membranes being dissolved, causing irreversible damage. This action is enhanced by the use of Neem Oil in the NEEMTECH formulation. It is now accepted that natural Neem Oil is in its own right a powerful insecticide causing leaf eating/sucking pests to stop feeding. It has also a detrimental effect on moulting and fertility in many common insect pests.
To date there are no reports of resistance built ups. These would be very unlikely in any case, considering the mode of action. Ill effects on beneficial insects are reported to be minimal when used according to manufactures instructions.
Whilst the recommended application rates of 10 to 15 mL/L appear on first assessment high, this has to be viewed in the following light:
• The target pest needs to be completely covered by the spray mist to be effective. This needs reasonable large volumes that need to be applied with equipment capable forming fine mist.
• NEEMTECH Insecticidal Potassium Soap is cheaper to use when health and environmental issues are considered.
• No withholding period for crops and no poisonous residues.
• No spray adjuvant is needed. The product is compatible even with extreme hard water and with most fertilisers commonly used in agriculture and shows excellent wetting, sticking and rain fastening properties.
*Entomology Branch of the Berrimah Agricultural Research Centre, Department of Primary Production, Northern Territory, Australia, (Northern Territory of Australia, Agnote No753/15, October 1998, ISSN 0157-8243).
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NEEMTECH INSECTICIDAL POTASSIUM SOAP
Product Information
ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS
285 g/L fatty acid potassium salts.
APPEARANCE:
brown, clear, viscous liquid with a citrus oil smell
pH <10.0
S.G. 25 deg C 0.918
Water miscible in all proportions
Australian Poison Schedule 0 (Not considered poisonous)
Non Flammable
NRA APPROVAL No.: 51287/0999 BFA APPROVAL: 8001
APPLICATION
RESTRAINTS
This product may not be suitable for delicate ferns, mosses, flowers and plants under stress. DO NOT mix with other chemicals including fertilizers unless a trial mix was conducted. DO NOT use during the hot part of the day.
.
CROP PEST RATE COMMENT
OUTDOOR CROPS APHIDS
FRUIT TREES, VEGETABLES MEALYBUGS Spray when insects are
POT PLANTS & ORNAMENALS TWO SPOTTED MITES 1.5 to 3.0 Litres evident. Ensure that
IN ORCHARDS AND GARDENS WHITEFLY in100 Litres of water target pest is covered
BROAD ACRE APPLICATION SPIDERMITES 1.0 TO 1.5 Litres with spray mist.
THRIPS to 100 Litres of water
INDOOR PLANTS 15 to 30 mL As above. Use the lower
POT PLANTS & ORNAMENTALS in 1 Litre of water rate in integrated pest
IN THE HOME AND NURSERIES control programmes and
on tender or new growth
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
MIXING INSTRUCTIONS
Add the product at the appropriate rate to water and mix well. Use good quality, soft water of pH 6 to 8. The use of hard water or their compounds may cause precipitation. If the water is too hard a water softener or spray oil may be needed.
APPLICATION
This product is a contact insecticide and should be used well mixed, in conjunction with high pressure spray equipment. Target pests must be in direct contact with the spray mist. Spray when pests are evident. Repeat next day if pest numbers have not greatly reduced, or when pests re-emerge. Spray foliage to run off point. To minimize risk of harm to plants spray in cool weather, early morning, or preferable late afternoon. Test a small section of crop for compatibility. For tender, new foliage use the lower recommended rate.
Material Safety Data Sheet --- Page 1 of 2
This product is NOT classified as hazardous.
Company:
Address
Phone:
IDENTIFICATION
Product Name: NEEMTECH NEEM POTASSIUM SOAP
Other Names: MOECO NEEM POTASSIUM SOAP, GARDENING AUSTRALIA NEEM
POTASSIUM SOAP
UN Number: NONE ALLOCATED
Dangerous Goods Class: NONE ALLOCATED
Hazchem Code: NONE ALLOCATED
Poisons Schedule Number, 0
NRA Approval Number: 51287/0999
Use: PESTICIDE/WETTING AGENT
Physical Description
Appearance: CLEAR, LIGHT BROWN VISCOUS LIQUID OF LEMON PEEL SMELL
Boiling Point: 100 deg C
Vapour Pressure:
Specific Gravity: 1.0
Flashpoint: Non flammable
Solubility in Water: In all proportions.
pH <10
Ingredients
Fatty acid potassium salts > 30 %
Citronella oil 0.1 %
Water < 70%
CAS Number: NONE ALLOCATED
MSDS--- NEEMTECH INSECTICIDAL POTASSIUM SOAP Page 2 of 2
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
No adverse effects expected if the product is handled in accordance with this safety data sheet and the product label.
Health Effects
Swallowed: No effect in small doses. Large amounts may cause upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Eye: May cause irritation to eyes. Safety glasses should be worn when handling the concentrate..
Skin: May cause skin irritation with constant handling of concentrate.
Inhaled: The spray mist may cause respiratory irritation. Dust mask to be worn when spraying.
First Aid
If poisoning occurs contact a doctor
Swallowed: Rinse mouth with water. Give plenty of water to drink. If vomiting occurs give further water.
Eye: Flush with copious amounts of water. In all cases of eye contamination it is a sensible precaution to seek medical advise.
Skin : Wash contaminated skin with plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before re-use. If irritation occurs seek medical advice.
nhaled: Move from effected area. Seek medical advice if effects persist.
PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
Exposure Standards: Not relevant
Engineering Controls: Not relevant
Personal Protection: Safety glasses and dust mask to be worn when spraying.
Flammability: Not flammable
SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION
Storage and Transport: No special storage or transport requirements necessary.
Spills and Disposal: Small spills can be flushed down drains with water. Large spills to be covered with absorbent material (soil) collected and disposed of correctly.
Fire/ Explosion Hazard: Not combustible.
Environmental Issues:
The product is completely bio-degradable and is gentle on the environment when used as instructed.
The product may be harmful to aquatic live in high concentrations.
Please Note: The data and recommendations presented herein are based upon research and data of others and believed to be correct. However no warranty is expressed or implied regarding this data or results to be obtained from use thereof. Moeco P/L assumes no responsibility for the injury to customers or third party proximately caused by the material if reasonable safety procedures are not adhered to as stipulated. The Manufacturer and seller disclaim any responsibility whatsoever for any loss following use of this product, or claimed to be caused as a result of its use.
15/08/00
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