Spinosad is an insecticide based on compounds found in Saccharopolyspora spinosa (a species of soil bacterium). It is approved for use in organic agriculture by numerous national and international certificates.
Spinosad works by affecting the nervous system of any insect that eats or touches it, causing their muscles to flex uncontrollably until paralysis occurs, leading to death in 1-2 days.
Uses: Spinosad can help manage a wide variety of pests, including thrips, leaf miners, spider mites, mosquitoes, ants, fruit flies, etc.
It is recommended by Chicsa that you use a surfactant when diluting spinosad (preferred surfactant is CapSil). Chicsa's dilution ratio is: Add 3 ml CapSil per 1 gallon water, then add 2.4-3.5(max 6) ml spinosad. Use every 5-7 days for a total of no more than 5 applications per crop. Depending on concentrations, keep it to no more than 3 gallons per 1000 square feet for vegetable gardens. Mixing ratios may be different depending on the brand, so read the labels!
Spinosad has half-life of less than 15 days on leaves, a half-life of 14-18 days in aerobic soil, and a half-life of 161-250 days in anaerobic soil.
Spinosad has been found to be practically non-toxic to moderately toxic to fish, slightly to moderately toxic to aquatic invertebrates. It has also been found to be non-toxic to slightly toxic to birds and earthworms. Spinosad is highly toxic to bees, however evidence suggests that spinosad has little or no effect on honey bees and other beneficial insects after the spraying has dried.
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Topic: Natural Pesticide: Spinosad (Read 3385 times)