Spraying the Roses
ORGANICS CAN BE DANGEROUS
by Mary Peterson, Consulting Rosarian, Horseheads, NY
It is important for gardeners to understand that just because a product claims it is 'organic' or 'natural' does not mean that it is not harmful. It can be a dangerous product to use or abuse. Organic poisons are some of the deadliest known to modern man.
Consider ROTENONE®, a general purpose insecticide made from the roots of tropical plants. It comes in various strengths in both liquid and dust. This product carries either a DANGER or CAUTION "Signal word" on the label depending on its concentration. If it is labeled as DANGER the potential Lethal Oral Dose for a 150 lb. man is a few drops to a teaspoon. If it is labeled with a CAUTION Signal word the LDO is 1 oz. to 1 pint or lb.
PYRETHRUM is a general purpose insecticide and carries a CAUTION Signal word. The LDO is 750 mg/Kilogram.
BIO-NEEM is made from the extract of the seed of the Neem Tree. This insecticide disrupts the hormonal balance of juvenile insects, inhibiting the desire to feed, causing death. It has a very low toxicity rating and is not considered harmful to earthworms and animals. It carries a CAUTION Signal word and the LDO is 5000 mg/Kilogram.
RYANIA is an insecticide that is a stomach poison to insects. It is made from a South American shrub. This product carries a WARNING Signal word and is considered moderately toxic with an LDO of 1 oz. to 1 pint or lb.
SAFER INSECTICIDAL SOAP is a product made of the salts of fatty acids. It controls soft-bodied insects which come into contact with the wet spray. It breaks down quickly with no residue but in recent years it has been combined with other agents such as Pyrethrum bases which have earned it a DANGER Signal word in the 25% concentrate with an LDO of a few drops to a teaspoon. The 2% solution is no longer available as it has been banned by the EPA. You may find it in your state if your state decides not to follow the Federal guidelines.
Even the much-touted DOOM or Milky Spore used to control the larva of Japanese Beetles carries a CAUTION Signal word with an LDO of 1 oz. to 1 pint or lb. It can cause eye and skin irritation but has a very short life of only 3.8 hours and is deactivated by UV from sunlight. It can be extended by the addition of certain materials and once it is underground or inside the larva, it stays potent for a longer period of time.
Please read all labels completely. Handle, apply and store all pesticides with care and the respect they deserve.
Even though a product is advertized as being "Natural" or "Organic," it can still kill a host for which it was not intended.If you have any questions about pesticides and want more information, please don't hesitate to contact:
The National Pesticide Telecommunications Network
They have a website and a toll free number: 1-800-858-7378.
They are located in Oregon and funded by the EPA and the Oregon State University. Their hours of operation are 6:00 AM - 4:30 PM PST, 7 days a week. This is not a number to be used for accidental poisoning. Please keep the number of your local Poison Control Board on hand by your telephone or call 911 in case of an accident involving the ingestion or exposure to a pesticide or fungicide.
Consider ROTENONE®, a general purpose insecticide made from the roots of tropical plants. It comes in various strengths in both liquid and dust. This product carries either a DANGER or CAUTION "Signal word" on the label depending on its concentration. If it is labeled as DANGER the potential Lethal Oral Dose for a 150 lb. man is a few drops to a teaspoon. If it is labeled with a CAUTION Signal word the LDO is 1 oz. to 1 pint or lb.
PYRETHRUM is a general purpose insecticide and carries a CAUTION Signal word. The LDO is 750 mg/Kilogram.
BIO-NEEM is made from the extract of the seed of the Neem Tree. This insecticide disrupts the hormonal balance of juvenile insects, inhibiting the desire to feed, causing death. It has a very low toxicity rating and is not considered harmful to earthworms and animals. It carries a CAUTION Signal word and the LDO is 5000 mg/Kilogram.
RYANIA is an insecticide that is a stomach poison to insects. It is made from a South American shrub. This product carries a WARNING Signal word and is considered moderately toxic with an LDO of 1 oz. to 1 pint or lb.
SAFER INSECTICIDAL SOAP is a product made of the salts of fatty acids. It controls soft-bodied insects which come into contact with the wet spray. It breaks down quickly with no residue but in recent years it has been combined with other agents such as Pyrethrum bases which have earned it a DANGER Signal word in the 25% concentrate with an LDO of a few drops to a teaspoon. The 2% solution is no longer available as it has been banned by the EPA. You may find it in your state if your state decides not to follow the Federal guidelines.
Even the much-touted DOOM or Milky Spore used to control the larva of Japanese Beetles carries a CAUTION Signal word with an LDO of 1 oz. to 1 pint or lb. It can cause eye and skin irritation but has a very short life of only 3.8 hours and is deactivated by UV from sunlight. It can be extended by the addition of certain materials and once it is underground or inside the larva, it stays potent for a longer period of time.
Please read all labels completely. Handle, apply and store all pesticides with care and the respect they deserve.
Even though a product is advertized as being "Natural" or "Organic," it can still kill a host for which it was not intended.If you have any questions about pesticides and want more information, please don't hesitate to contact:
The National Pesticide Telecommunications Network
They have a website and a toll free number: 1-800-858-7378.
They are located in Oregon and funded by the EPA and the Oregon State University. Their hours of operation are 6:00 AM - 4:30 PM PST, 7 days a week. This is not a number to be used for accidental poisoning. Please keep the number of your local Poison Control Board on hand by your telephone or call 911 in case of an accident involving the ingestion or exposure to a pesticide or fungicide.
