On Sat, 26 Jul 2003 12:56:19 -0400, Noydb
wrote:

Lattés wrote:

Hey all, I am not really in to using pesticides on my plants but I was
wondering if it would be a good idea to do a "pre-emptive strike" on my
veggies to keep the nasties away?

No. Absolutely not. I can see that there are a number of other replies to
your posting (that I haven't yet read) but, simply put, never apply a
pesticide until you know EXACTLY why you are doing so. Do NOT apply
pesticide on some vague concept of "pre-emptive strike" unless you
absolutely relish the idea of applying un-needed pesticide to your own
food.

Hello ... that stuff is poison -- that's why it is effective. Do you REALLY
want to eat it?

I garden organically so I may be a little bit biased (okay, I am so biased I
can't see straight!) but if you ever want to have a garden whose health is
balanced between pest and prey at minimal risk / maximal benefit to
yourself, rather than reaching for a quart of this and a pound of that
poison, you'll take the time to learn the organic methods.

I'm *not* an organic gardener (but I'm a pretty nice person
nonetheless :-) I agree absolutely that "pre-emptive strike" is a
waste of time and money, and unnecessary. I'd rather eat bees than
Sevin-dusted veg. In fact, I've pretty much managed (small and then
very small scale) with the pick-off-and-squish method of insect
control. Until a Japanese beetle chowed down my single woodruff -- I
may have gotten him by specific application of permethrin dust, but
the woodruff was, sadly, already toast. I also have used Bt San Diego
more widely (tomatoes, eggplant, & peppers) for Colorado potato
beetles, together with pick'n'squish.