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When Do You Apply Insecticide?

Because their basic nature is to kill unwanted pest organisms, insecticides are potentially toxic and dangerous to humans, non-target organisms, waterways and the rest of Earth. Even natural insecticides can pose danger. Using them at the correct time can reduce greatly their risk to non-target organisms and ensure the desired result against the target pest species in a garden or home.

  1. During the Right Life Cycle

    • Not all insecticides are created equal, nor are they used in the same fashion. Some insecticides have relatively low effects on the rest of the environment while others can affect the local ecosystem quickly. When reading an insecticide's label, it's important to understand which pests the product controls and, maybe more important, during which of the pests' life cycles it is effective. For example, some products do not kill insect eggs effectively but diminish a population of insect adults. Also, spraying insecticide after flowers are spent can help reduce the product's exposure to pollinators, including honeybees.

    At First Sight

    • Some insecticides work on contact with a pest. Often the best time to apply those products is when you first notice the pest. One common insecticide that works on contact in this manner is carbaryl. Carbaryl, along with many other contact insecticides, works either by pests ingesting the product or contacting it directly. That is why a contact insecticide must be applied while its target organisms are active. Unfortunately, however, contact insecticides also affect beneficial arthropods, such as some insects and spiders.

    While They Sleep

    • The dormant season is an ideal time to apply certain insecticides. The dormant season is typically during winter while plants are in dormancy. Many insect pests overwinter in plants' protected areas, such as under bark. Dormant oils effectively control most scale insects and many pest mite species. Many newer dormant oils are labeled for use during growing seasons as well. Oils work by suffocating pests, even certain eggs.

    During Favorable Environmental Conditions

    • Many insecticides have adverse effects if used during the wrong time. For example, one insecticide may cause leaf scorch if you apply it when the temperature exceeds a certain point. Others carry a high risk of drifting and should not be applied when wind or rain are in the forecast. Highly water-soluble systemic insecticides, for example, quickly move through a plant's vascular system but can leach into water or shallow soil after a rainfall. Every insecticide label includes warnings about factors that will affect the product or environment.

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