Alternatives for Neonicotoids

With the recent prohibition of neonicitinoid pesticides by the City of Vancouver, landscapers and homeowners need to know the alternatives available for use in municipal and residential properties. “Neonicotinoid” means a class of synthetic pesticides derived from nicotine that may be applied to seeds, soil, and foliage including but not limited to imidacloprid, clothiandin, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, thiacloprid, acetamiprid, nitenpyram and niathiazine.

Here is a listing of common active ingredients used in organic pesticides:

Acetic Acid – Concentrated vinegar used as a non-selective herbicide, sometimes combined with citric acid. Toxicity depends on active ingredient percentage.

• Munger Horticultural Vinegar is used for non-selective vegetation control in and around the garden, established trees and shrubs, sidewalks, driveways, patio, non-crop areas, right-of-way and industrial land sites. Leaves no harmful residue in the soil. Ecocert Certified

Dormant and Summer Oils – Refined mineral oils used to smother over-wintering insect eggs and persistent pests, such as mites and mealybugs. Not compatible with all plants.

• PureSpray Green Oil is a highly pure dormant and summer horticultural spray oil used for the control or suppression of listed insect, mite and scale pests affecting many crops including ornamental plants, shrubs and shade trees.

1. Kopa Insecticidal Soap is an important part of an integrated pest management program. On its own, Kopa controls aphids, mealy bugs, mites and white flies on a wide variety of plants. Insecticidal soaps are also an excellent tank-mix partner with other insecticides because they are good surfactants, expanding the number of pests controlled. Insecticidal soaps leave no harmful residues and are low risk to bees once sprays have dried. Kopa Insecticidal Soap is the next generation of insecticidal soaps. Kopa kills plant-feeding insects and mites on contact, indoors, outdoors and in greenhouses. Kopa may be used up to the day of harvest and does not persist in the environment. Kopa is an important part of landscape pest control.
2. Fireworxx is a fast-acting fatty acid herbicide to control troublesome weeds on hard surfaces, soil and mulches. An herbicidal soap based on pelargonic acid derived from natural sources, Fireworxx is a low-risk pesticide that packs a punch. It works particularly well on small weeds and as a burn down of larger weeds. Very effective for the control of unwanted moss on hard surfaces. It is easy to use and can be applied with standard spray equipment. By using Fireworxx on hardscaping and the selective herbicide Fiesta Lawn Weed Killer on lawns, you have weed control for the entire landscape even under most cosmetic pesticide bans. Fireworxx is biodegradable and breaks down rapidly in the soil. Available exclusively from Terralink: Ask for fast-acting, low risk, non-corrosive Fireworxx. Rainfast in 3 hours.
3. Moss-Aside is a fast-acting herbicidal soap that controls silvery thread moss, moss and algae in golf greens and tees. Moss-Aside can also be used to control moss, algae, liverworts and lichens on hard surfaces or over the top of many plants, making it an ideal solution for nurseries and greenhouses. Moss-Aside is biodegradable, has no unpleasant odour, and does not stain. Moss-Aside is part of an integrated pest management program and the low-risk option for moss, algae and liverworts.

Iron or Ferric Phosphate – A food-grade dietary supplement used in slug and snail baits. Naturally found in soils, but not in the high concentrations used here. Non-toxic to people, wildlife or birds. Iron is also used as a lawn weed killer.

1. Sluggo is a slug and snail bait. Registered for use in field crops, vegetable crops, fruiting crops, outdoor ornamentals, greenhouses, outdoor container grown ornamentals, lawns and grass grown for seed. (is OMRI listed).
2. Fiesta Lawn Weed Killer (FeHEDTA) selectively controls broadleaf weeds. For use on lawns, golf courses, parks cemeteries, athletic fields and non-crop areas. Made with an iron chelate, it controls dandelion, white clover, black medic and several other broadleaf weeds. It also controls moss and algae.

Boric Acid – A stomach poison for ants and other crawling insects, derived from natural borax deposits. Low toxicity to people and wildlife.

Diatomaceous Earth (Silicon Dioxide) – A finely ground fossil used in a dust form for structural pests, slugs and other insects. Non-toxic to people, wildlife and fish.

Lime Sulphur – A calcium-sulphur compound used in a liquid form to control fungal diseases and some pests, usually as a dormant application. Low toxicity to people and mammals. Non-toxic to fish and birds.

Sulphur – A natural element sold in liquid, dust and wettable powder form to control fungal problems and some mites. Low toxicity to people and mammals. Non-toxic to fish and bees. As you can see, organic pesticides are not just a last resort or products we turn to in the absence of chemical alternatives.

Biological Insecticides are living organisms rather than chemicals used to control pests and diseases.

• Bioprotec Plus for use on agricultural and greenhouse crops, forests, woodlands, ornamentals, residential and other treed areas. It is composed of Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki) to control caterpillars.

They are safe, environmentally sustainable products that represent a growing market, one that is only going to get stronger as cities across Canada adopt bylaws that affect our gardens, and the products we use to maintain them. Other conventional landscape pesticides and herbicides are still available for licensed applicators. Contact our sales desk for your options.