In article ,
" wrote:

Pulling weeks around the new batch of Cucumbers and Zucchini this morning i
am seeing squash bugs again. I looked at the leaves and do not see any eggs
(ok not every leaf but a most of them) even on the ones that have holes eaten
in them. Have they hatched or have they not laid them yet. The plants are
about 3 weeks or so old. The cucumbers are "trailing" with flowers and the
zucchini have male flowers. I used Seven dust at the base of the plants and
around them with a very light dusting on the leaves. Is there anything else I
can do? I don't see any damage at the base of the plant (going into the
ground).
MJ

Why are you a gardener, to facilitate your consumption of toxic
compounds? Sevin is a nerve poison. Of more concern is that there are no
long term exposure studies for humans. No studies of how a young,
developing child's exposure may differ from that of an adult. It isn't
so much eating the sprayed produce (after the waiting period has elapsed
either (although it's a concern), it's the repeated incidental exposure
from skin contact and inhalation while mixing and applying.

However, of even more concern to *me* is the toxicity to things I don't
want dead. Pretty much every university extension service I have read
agrees those who regularly use broad spectrum insecticides in their
gardens end up with more pest problems than those who do not. The logic
is straightforward. All insects die, not just the pest. Pest bugs
reproduce faster than bugs which eat them so as soon as the pesticide
wears off the pest bugs are now able to enter the garden and reproduce
with reduced predation.

Before too long one is spraying often enough that they exceed the
maximum number of applications per crop the label indicates or they
start mixing the pesticide at a stronger dose than the label allows.

Given the availability of more selective pesticides in many cases or
broad spectrum pesticides with a shorter lifespan in the environment I
guess I don't get why one would go for something like Sevin as a garden
cure all.

The label on the Sevin I've seen has a 2 week wait before eating many
plants such as lettuce and other leafy edibles.

The wait is 1 day for asparagus, 2 for sweet corn ears, 3 for cucurbits
and fruiting plants, 7 days for most root crops and small fruiting
plants (berries), 14 days for leafy veggies etc.

Additionally the label indicates not to apply more than a certain number
of times per crop (varies on the crop) over the entire growing period,
something easily missed by those not reading the label instructions very
carefully.

Sevin is hardly benign, with all due respect. It is one of THE most
toxic pesticides for bees and other hymenopterans. It is also one of the
most deadly chemicals to use around earthworms. To say nothing about the
effects on mammals. It's a cholinesterase inhibitor!

http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_...32816#Toxicity


http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-21.pdf
Carbaryl (Sevin) is a widely used insecticide with several
trade names. It is effective on beetles and some caterpillars
but does not kill aphids. Carbaryl is persistent on plants for
3-4 days, but may cause outbreaks of aphids and spider
mites by killing natural enemies.

http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/em009/em009.pdf
Many insecticides kill bees. Some cannot be applied
safely at any time when plants are in bloom, while
others should be applied only in the early morning
or late evening when bees are not foraging for nectar
and pollen. Avoid spraying carbaryl (Sevin) on plants
that are surrounded by blooming flowers or weeds.
Mow lawns next to garden areas to remove clover
blossoms before applying any material hazardous to
bees. This is a simple step and one you should always
follow. In all cases, when plants in the infested area
are in bloom, select the material least hazardous to
bees. Avoid using dusts whenever possible. Sprays are
preferred for bee safety. For additional information
on this subject, refer to PNW0591,
How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides , available
from Extension offices and http://pubs.wsu.edu
--
Palestinian Child Detained
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzSzH38jYcg

Remember Rachel Corrie
http://www.rachelcorrie.org/

Welcome to the New America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA736oK9FPg