Light Horticultural Oil

Horticultural oils are highly refined so that compounds toxic to plants are removed. Considered effective and safe, they can be used to control insects as well as diseases. The types of oils available for pest control include dormant oils and summer oils.
Dormant oils are used during the winter season when plants are dormant to control over-wintering stages of insects such as aphids, spider mites and scales. An oil applied during the dormant period will suffocate the over-wintering eggs of aphids and spider mites, or suffocate the adult in the case of scales.

Light horticultural oils, sometimes called “summer oils”, are a lighter more viscous version of the dormant kind and can be applied to actively growing plants during the growing season. In terms of insect control, summer oils can be used to control aphids, mites, thrips, scales, mealybugs and their eggs.

Oil phytotoxicity (damage to a plant) can occur if the product is not used properly. Plant damage can occur when: 1) too much is used; 2) plants are under water stress; 3) temperatures are over 90 F; and 4) when dormancy is mistaken (i.e. spraying too early in the fall). Wait until December to February to apply dormant oils. Temperatures must be above 45 F.

For detailed tips about how to use these products see the file Using Horticultural Oils

 

Saf-T-Side Horticultural Oil

by Monterey

  • Spray Oil Emulsion Insecticide, Fungicide and Miticide
  • Controls Aphids, Mites, Scales, Whiteflies and Other Insects
  • Effective as a dormant spray and during the hot summer months - no temperature restrictions
  • Use on Ornamentals, Vegetables, Citrus, Small Fruits, Tree Fruits, and Nuts
  • 1 Qt.

Description: This insecticide's mode of action is through suffocation of eggs, larvae, and nymphs of insects, mites and adults of soft-bodied insects. This mode of action necessitates total spray coverage. As a fungicide it interferes with the attachment of the pathogen to the host and acts as a suffocant. Use enough spray solution to completely penetrate the leaf canopy and cover both top and bottom of all of the leaves until wet without significant runoff. Most mature standard trees will require 3 to 4 gallons of spray solution per tree although citrus may require as much as 8 to 15 gallons of spray solution per tree. Fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals generally require 1 to 2 gallons of spray solution per 1,000 square feet. SAF-T-SIDE® controls a wide range of mite and insect pests in the egg stage such as: spider and eriophyid mites, armored and soft scales, mealy bugs, psyllids, whiteflies, aphids, leafrollers and adelgids. SAF-T-SIDE® will kill other immature forms if spray covers the insect. Application Recommendations: SAF-T-SIDE® mixes readily with water. A pump up sprayer or a trigger sprayer may be used. Fill the sprayer half full with water, add the appropriate rate of SAF-T-SIDE® and continue filling the sprayer. For best results, spray formulation should be mixed well and often. Mix at 2.5-5.0 tablespoons per gallon of water according to which type of plant you are treating.


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