blooded animals including fish. Insects
and mites are all susceptible. It seems
to have no effects on warm-blooded
animals and once it is used it quickly
loses its activity. Pyrethrum based
insecticides usually state that they can
be safely used up to the time of
harvest.
- Soap based insecticides and miticides
use the ingredients in soap to
physically dry out and incapacitate the
pests. These sprays usually come in
trigger type bottles. After using, the
soap residue dries. Then it can be
rinsed off the plant, Liquid soaps found
in the supermarket such as Ivorytm and
Dr. Bronnerstm Peppermint or
Eucalyptus can also be used. They are
usually diluted at the rate of ½
teaspoon per quart of water.
- Biological controls. Some pests have
natural predators which keep them
under control. Predatory mites keep
mites under control. Whiteflies are
easily controlled using the
trichogamma wasp, which lays its egg
in the fly egg. These wasps are very
tiny, do not bite or sting and are non-
social, they do not have nests. Once
they are released, they are hard to find
because they are so small. But they do
a great job and are the best control for
white flies.
