Imidicloprid

[ahosey01]

Found a female ox beetle when the rains came a couple days ago.  My first reaction was to cut her head off and place it on a toothpick near a palm for the other beetles to see.  After thinking through how I'd do that, however, I concluded that was a lot of work and instead smashed her with a rock.

Now, I'm wondering if anyone has any particular favorite brand of imidicloprid or application method they would like to share with me.

Thanks!

[Looking Glass]

BioAdvanced makes granules, concentrates, and pre-diluted sprays.  You can get them online and at the big box stores.  I’ll use the granules on occasion, and dilute the concentrates for sprays and drenches if needed.  I’ll use them on occasion for various attacks on specific baby plants from time to time.   As an occasional treatment, it can help a lot.   If I have to use it a lot, I’m normally rethinking the plant selection at that point.  This and Bifenthrin topically are my two go-tos when chemical treatments are needed.  

[PalmatierMeg]

I have imidacloprid in powder form under the brand name "Merit" that's about 75% pure vs the 10-12% strength in the blue Bayer bottle of liquid you find at the BBs. I mix it, ~1/2 tsp in a gallon of water then use it as a drench. You'll probably have to order it off the internet but it is worth it if you need to treat multiple palms.

[ahosey01]

1 hour ago, PalmatierMeg said:

I have imidacloprid in powder form under the brand name "Merit" that's about 75% pure vs the 10-12% strength in the blue Bayer bottle of liquid you find at the BBs. I mix it, ~1/2 tsp in a gallon of water then use it as a drench. You'll probably have to order it off the internet but it is worth it if you need to treat multiple palms.

I think my plan here is just to treat the whole planting bed - not a specific palm.  I haven't found any damage yet, but I'd like to prevent it since so many of palms are small and probably tasty to beetles.

[Merlyn]

I used a similar powder mix called Adonis 75 WSP, also 75% powder mix.  It's mixed around 0.75g per 5 gallons as a drench.

[miamicuse]

I am in the same boat trying to figure out what product to use.

In my opinion, the slow release granules is perfect for potted plants.  They are inside the pots and not going to get washed out in heavy rain or if your garden has a slope to it.

As for the in ground plants, I would like to do a systemic treatment and I have been considering using a product I already have for treating subterranean termites.  This is a liquid concentrate called Dominion 2L.

"DOMINION 2L, a 21.4% imidacloprid termiticide/insecticide, offers flexibility with EP/IST termite treatment options. Dominion 2L establishes a barrier that termites, ants, and other pests are unable to detect. Consequently, pests unwittingly encounter the imidacloprid application."

Obviously the dilution will be different for plants versus termite extermination.  I haven't done it yet but considering it.