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South Dakota

With my pumpkin patch currently under several feet of snow, I am trying to dream of spring and make plans for when she does arrive. I want to use 21.4% Imidacloprid (Merit) for control SVB. How much do you mix per gallon of water? How do you apply it, only to the soil, or all over the foliage and to soil? How much of the mix per sq/ft do you recommend? How often and when do you make your applications? Anything else you think I need to know to successfully use this product. Also, is this the only insecticide I will need? Last year was my first year, and SVB was my biggest problem.

2/26/2019 5:51:09 PM

New York

I don’t have merit but I used eight last year and I had no svb problems. Normally all my vines I have to cut off by the end of the season it’s so bad. I would apply it once every month untill mid June than once every two weeks. It also helps with other bugs like cucumber beetles https://www.amazon.com/Bonide-PRODUCTS-Products-442-16-Ounce/dp/B000OWB6UW/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Eight+pesticide&qid=1551226081&s=gateway&sr=8-5

2/26/2019 7:09:33 PM

Sourthern Utah

i use 1/4 cup per gallon of water, spray early in day, not the heat of the day,, keep it off the vine tips will burn it, i use once a month,dont have svb;s here but lots of squash bugs.

2/26/2019 7:50:45 PM

Princeville, IL

Deadly to bees. I use it to water in plants when transplanted. Good for first 4 weeks. After four weeks I switch to a non systemic insecticide. I am a commercial grower so bees are very important to me.

2/26/2019 8:09:25 PM

On a cliff in the desert

Have you considered pheromone traps for SVBs and Cucumber beetles along with companion planting. That's what I do in my patch and don't have problems with SVBs and other pests. I'm believer in not polluting the environment with pesticides.

2/26/2019 9:14:52 PM

Deer Park WA

Yikes, super harsh stuff for our honey bee friends, would recommend looingk for an alternate control method like traps and companion plants first.

2/26/2019 9:30:58 PM

On a cliff in the desert

I'll be posting in my diary a picture of all the seeds for the companion plants that I grow for my patch. They attract the good bugs for your patch; the pollinators and the bugs that eat the bad bugs and plants whose odors deter/confuse bad bugs from coming into your patch.

2/26/2019 11:12:09 PM

Plainville, Connecticut 06062

Merit or generic merit is strong stuff and it works well especially when rotated every other week with one or two other insect control products. However you should not use a lot to mix with one gallon of water. Per research and speaking with other growers, I myself would not mix more then 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water! I use only 1/8 teaspoon per gallon of water every other week starting the first week of June foilar spray. You can also after mixing with water spread the mix into the soil in and around your plants.

2/27/2019 12:44:01 PM

South Dakota

agteacher, how much chemical per gallon do you use on your transplant soil drench? I only have 480 sq ft patch, so companion planting is really not an option, although I wish it was. I will apply late in evening when not so many bees around to help reduce collateral damage. I've read that you get some control by soaking your seeds before planting, don't know if this is documented or not, but would be good if it works.

Another question, I am planning on weekly compost/worm casting bubbled tea applications. Can I mix insecticides with the tea, or will this kill all my micros?

2/27/2019 5:34:23 PM

Massachusetts

1/8 tsp per gallon

2/27/2019 7:52:58 PM

Princeville, IL

Will have to check but think for soil drench is 8oz per acre which is in 20 gallons. You would need a very small a mount for 400 sq ft. Applying at late afternoon/evening makes no difference with systemic as it will be in the pollin when the blooms open. Evening applications only work with none systemic insecticides. Don't quote me on rates. You can look up undisclosed and select to see a label which will show rates.

2/27/2019 8:22:59 PM

Princeville, IL

Looked up 21.4 percent imed label and had 16 to 24 oz per acre as soil application. 400 square ft is .009 acre so would be .18 oz or 1tsp. I don't treat the whole soil area just the planting hole so I use less (about 4 oz) which would be about 1/8 tsp -- Marleys suggestions

2/27/2019 9:11:47 PM

Muddy Waters

Remove all your flowers so you dont kill the bees.

3/3/2019 8:02:51 AM