I'm sorry but there is a growing body of scientists who believe they have evidence that nicotinoids are systemic pesticides and make the whole plant toxic - this is whether they are applied by spray, by root drench or by seed coating! The toxic plant produces toxic pollen which is causing colony collapse.
Last year I treated a large border with nematodes - vine weevils had been attacking primulas and taking chunks out of the leaves of lots of shrubs and perennials. One treatment had really good results. I will do the same this year when the soil warms up.
“I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh
I am not an 'absolutist' but I have seen bees taking pollen from Provado treated plants and dropping dead almost immediately. They did change the formula so it is not as deadly as it was, but since we have spent 20 years building up the bee polulation in this garden, I am not going to take any risks.
We find now that we rarely get any major infestations of anything as the garden seems to be in reasonble balance.
I do use weedkiller, very carefully as there seems to be evidence that it is not broken down in the soil as claimed.
I soray my fruit trees with an Insecticidal soap and later on with Copper sulphate. Will do the potatoes with it as well. But only when the insects are not around.
Vine weevils lay eggs at various times during the year, including over the six months when nematodes don't work. there is no other treatment I am not risking my camellias or other overwintering shrubs in pots, but won't use Ultimate Bug Killer. So that makes me a pragmatist, or an non-absolutist., or a sinner. Still, I reckon that overall my garden makes a positive contribution to the environment, as it used to be a ploughed field with lots of chemicals applied every year. Might not get to heaven right away, but maybe I will escape eternal damnation!
If we all do a bit then we can make a difference. When we create a garden we're fighting nature right away as we're creating something 'false'. If we can put a bit back into nature as we do that then that's the balance . We're not going to get it right all the time
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I stopped using Provado for the reasons above. I use nematodes during warmer seasons and hand pick Lilly beetles. Delicate plants such as hostas get piles of grit.
I do use slug pellets sparingly.
I wish I didn't have to, but my garden doesn't have frogs, toads, chickens or hedgehogs and I've never been one for rummaging around in muddy borders after dark on hands and knees. I think that business suits urban gardens better or perhaps those like Carol Klein's that have organised borders set between many accessible paths.
I've tried other organic solutions to pests with mixed results. I made some garlic spray but the liquid just rolls off the leaves, even when applied with a fine mister, so I'm not sure how to keep the pongy water where its' supposed to stay.
I think my garden does alright, I have nesting birds and bees as most of us do
Wintersong I think you're right. I've never used any vine weevil 'remedies' other than killing them when I see the, but I've never really had a problem with them either so maybe I'm just lucky. I don't use any chmicals other than weedkiller now and again and mainly on paths or driveways etc. I also try not to grow plants that attract the worst offenders but like most people slugs and snails are the biggest problem. The first thing I do in anew garden is feed birds to get them eating the pests. Gradually you get a balance, but it takes time and everyone has a right to choose their own method.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Verdun, I agree with your comment on 'bullying'. On a couple of the responses I could sense an undercurrent of hostility that can drive those who are not as passionate about the use of garden chemicals into keeping shtum for fear of getting into an argument. I was a bit upset that my attempt at offering help got a reaction that I didn't expect from boarders whose gardening contributions I have great respect for,
In response to my giving advice to use Vine Weevil Killer, Berghill's response was:"If you are not into killing bees by using Neonicotinoids.." which has the clear implication that I AM 'into' killing bees, and I did find that rather offensive.
And Dovefromabove started his/her response with " I'm sorry but...." which is just a tad less patronising than "with all due respect...".
I would have thought that a prime purpose of this forum is to giving advice on dealing with gardening problems. Many gardeners are organic, but many more are not, and not all of those who do use garden chemicals should be regarded as just ignorant and in need of a lecture, or irresponsible.
I once had an allotment and on one side of me was an 85 year old woman fighting a losing battle with masses of bindweed because the guy next to her kept banging on that she mustn't use glyphosate. Half of his allotment was covered with sheets of black plastic and old rubber backed carpet. A neighbour had a lovely acer in her garden being killed by scale insects, and the only solution was Provado Ultimate Bug Killer. And what do you do if you have Ground Elder or japanese Knotweed.
Organic boarders who read a suggested solution involving chemicals can surely offer a comment such as:
"If you want an organic solution then you could....."
or:
"I am worried about the effect that neonicotoids (may) have on bees so I.....), but to go beyond that and directly challenge another boarder's gardening principles is verging on bullying, and the expression 'high horse' comes to mind.
I would probably do all of the above. Spread the soil out for birds to pick through, use nematodes of which I have had some success, sift soil and have used provado on hostas I've replanted last year and on a large potted rhodo that I can in no way lift.
I have also lobbied my MP about the conversation that is currently taking place in parliament on the use of pesticides and the protection of bees. I acknowledge that global warming IS taking place and that my local fruit farm which IS organic has lost 30 % of its bee population over the winter. Without bees we cannot have a fruitful existance as huge crops depend on it for their and our very survival. I do agree that a single plant in every garden treated with pesticide has a alltogether large effect, but the pesticide industries have a much much bigger effect. Sort the big users out and nature will cope very well with the little users, is my humble opiniion, for what its worth.
There is every place around this forum for ALL personal opinions, however strong and thank goodness for that. There is no place for bullying though. Just as long as our opinions are shared and not forced, other asking their question can then make their own informed minds up. Thanks to those who have put web site details & I will update my own knnowledge on these pesticides
Posts
I'm sorry but there is a growing body of scientists who believe they have evidence that nicotinoids are systemic pesticides and make the whole plant toxic - this is whether they are applied by spray, by root drench or by seed coating! The toxic plant produces toxic pollen which is causing colony collapse.
http://www.harrowbeekeepers.co.uk/sites/default/files/2013_Neonicotinoids.pdf
http://www.bayer-kills-bees.com/ - please scroll down and read.
Last year I treated a large border with nematodes - vine weevils had been attacking primulas and taking chunks out of the leaves of lots of shrubs and perennials. One treatment had really good results. I will do the same this year when the soil warms up.
I am not an 'absolutist' but I have seen bees taking pollen from Provado treated plants and dropping dead almost immediately. They did change the formula so it is not as deadly as it was, but since we have spent 20 years building up the bee polulation in this garden, I am not going to take any risks.
We find now that we rarely get any major infestations of anything as the garden seems to be in reasonble balance.
I do use weedkiller, very carefully as there seems to be evidence that it is not broken down in the soil as claimed.
I soray my fruit trees with an Insecticidal soap and later on with Copper sulphate. Will do the potatoes with it as well. But only when the insects are not around.
Vine weevils lay eggs at various times during the year, including over the six months when nematodes don't work. there is no other treatment I am not risking my camellias or other overwintering shrubs in pots, but won't use Ultimate Bug Killer. So that makes me a pragmatist, or an non-absolutist., or a sinner. Still, I reckon that overall my garden makes a positive contribution to the environment, as it used to be a ploughed field with lots of chemicals applied every year. Might not get to heaven right away, but maybe I will escape eternal damnation!
If we all do a bit then we can make a difference. When we create a garden we're fighting nature right away as we're creating something 'false'. If we can put a bit back into nature as we do that then that's the balance . We're not going to get it right all the time
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
But if just one dose of Provado makes a plant poisonous to bees then every bee that visits it will die ...............
I stopped using Provado for the reasons above. I use nematodes during warmer seasons and hand pick Lilly beetles. Delicate plants such as hostas get piles of grit.
I do use slug pellets sparingly.
I wish I didn't have to, but my garden doesn't have frogs, toads, chickens or hedgehogs and I've never been one for rummaging around in muddy borders after dark on hands and knees. I think that business suits urban gardens better or perhaps those like Carol Klein's that have organised borders set between many accessible paths.
I've tried other organic solutions to pests with mixed results. I made some garlic spray but the liquid just rolls off the leaves, even when applied with a fine mister, so I'm not sure how to keep the pongy water where its' supposed to stay.
I think my garden does alright, I have nesting birds and bees as most of us do
Wintersong I think you're right. I've never used any vine weevil 'remedies' other than killing them when I see the, but I've never really had a problem with them either so maybe I'm just lucky. I don't use any chmicals other than weedkiller now and again and mainly on paths or driveways etc. I also try not to grow plants that attract the worst offenders but like most people slugs and snails are the biggest problem. The first thing I do in anew garden is feed birds to get them eating the pests. Gradually you get a balance, but it takes time and everyone has a right to choose their own method.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Verdun, I agree with your comment on 'bullying'. On a couple of the responses I could sense an undercurrent of hostility that can drive those who are not as passionate about the use of garden chemicals into keeping shtum for fear of getting into an argument. I was a bit upset that my attempt at offering help got a reaction that I didn't expect from boarders whose gardening contributions I have great respect for,
In response to my giving advice to use Vine Weevil Killer, Berghill's response was:"If you are not into killing bees by using Neonicotinoids.." which has the clear implication that I AM 'into' killing bees, and I did find that rather offensive.
And Dovefromabove started his/her response with " I'm sorry but...." which is just a tad less patronising than "with all due respect...".
I would have thought that a prime purpose of this forum is to giving advice on dealing with gardening problems. Many gardeners are organic, but many more are not, and not all of those who do use garden chemicals should be regarded as just ignorant and in need of a lecture, or irresponsible.
I once had an allotment and on one side of me was an 85 year old woman fighting a losing battle with masses of bindweed because the guy next to her kept banging on that she mustn't use glyphosate. Half of his allotment was covered with sheets of black plastic and old rubber backed carpet. A neighbour had a lovely acer in her garden being killed by scale insects, and the only solution was Provado Ultimate Bug Killer. And what do you do if you have Ground Elder or japanese Knotweed.
Organic boarders who read a suggested solution involving chemicals can surely offer a comment such as:
"If you want an organic solution then you could....."
or:
"I am worried about the effect that neonicotoids (may) have on bees so I.....), but to go beyond that and directly challenge another boarder's gardening principles is verging on bullying, and the expression 'high horse' comes to mind.
I would probably do all of the above. Spread the soil out for birds to pick through, use nematodes of which I have had some success, sift soil and have used provado on hostas I've replanted last year and on a large potted rhodo that I can in no way lift.
I have also lobbied my MP about the conversation that is currently taking place in parliament on the use of pesticides and the protection of bees. I acknowledge that global warming IS taking place and that my local fruit farm which IS organic has lost 30 % of its bee population over the winter. Without bees we cannot have a fruitful existance as huge crops depend on it for their and our very survival. I do agree that a single plant in every garden treated with pesticide has a alltogether large effect, but the pesticide industries have a much much bigger effect. Sort the big users out and nature will cope very well with the little users, is my humble opiniion, for what its worth.
There is every place around this forum for ALL personal opinions, however strong and thank goodness for that. There is no place for bullying though. Just as long as our opinions are shared and not forced, other asking their question can then make their own informed minds up. Thanks to those who have put web site details & I will update my own knnowledge on these pesticides