Pests and diseases are a problem for all greenhouse gardeners. To maintain healthy plants in the greenhouse, gardeners need to prioritize pest and disease control measures. Insecticide sprays are an important way to control pests. The proper use of insecticide sprays is important for greenhouses. In this blog, we will discuss information related to insecticide sprays.
Why use insecticide sprays in greenhouses?
A warm and humid environment is a haven for pests to thrive. If left unchecked, pests can grow quickly in a greenhouse, which can cause serious damage to plants.
(spraying pesticides in a greenhouse)
The use of insecticide sprays can prevent and control the development of pests. If you find traces of pests, you should use insecticide sprays promptly.
Not every insecticide spray is suitable for your greenhouse crop. There are different types of insecticide sprays, each targeting a specific pest.
Types of insecticide sprays
In this blog, we categorize pests according to their species.
- Larvicide: This insecticide is more effective against pest larvae.
- Herbicides: Specifically designed to remove weeds.
- Fungicides: for various bacteria and fungi.
- Rodenticide: can be used to eliminate rodents such as rats
- Insecticide: Used to eliminate various harmful insects
(Different Bug Sprays)
According to the biodegradability of insecticides, they can be classified as:
- Biodegradable: Biodegradable insecticides can be decomposed by microorganisms and other organisms over time, transforming into harmless substances for both the environment and humans.
- Persistent: This type of insecticide takes a long time to be decomposed. Highly persistent
How to use insecticide sprays properly in a greenhouse?
Determine the type of pest
Want to eliminate pests that eat greenhouse plants? First, you need to identify the pests that are causing the problem. If you misidentify the pest, you may be using the wrong type of pesticide. The wrong pesticide can cause damage to greenhouse plants. If you do not have experience in this area, you should seek help from an experienced gardener.
Pay attention to pesticide labels
Pesticide labels provide information about their usage. It is essential to check the label to determine if a pesticide can be applied to greenhouse plants. When using a pesticide in a greenhouse, it is crucial to carefully read and understand the ingredients, instructions for use, precautions, and other important information provided on the label.
(pesticide labels)
Pesticides are sensitive chemicals for every type of plant, and incorrect use can have serious consequences.
Some pesticides may not have a greenhouse use label or any instructions. You should use such pesticides with caution or seek help from a professional.
Choose less toxic pesticides
Some pesticides can kill pests directly, but they are also highly toxic. Such highly toxic insecticides not only kill pests but also bring harm to greenhouse plants and humans. When choosing an insecticide, compare multiple insecticides and choose the less toxic one when possible.
The persistence of insecticides is one of the factors that gardeners must pay attention to. Insecticides that take a long time to decompose are more toxic than those that break down quickly.
You can also judge toxicity by the signal word on the label; Danger, Caution, or Warning indicate that the pesticide product will affect the human body.
Keeping people safe
Using pesticides in a closed environment, such as a greenhouse, can be harmful to humans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a list of measures and regulations that greenhouse owners need to implement to ensure worker safety.
(pesticide spraying caution)
Workers responsible for applying pesticides in greenhouses must use personal protective equipment (PPE). Protective equipment should contain the following four types.
- Long-sleeved clothes and long pants: Wearing such clothes can avoid contact between the drug and your skin. Hazmat suits are made of impermeable materials, such as nylon.
- Gloves: Gloves of any material can be used. However, you should try to avoid cotton gloves, a material that will absorb more pesticides and lead to indirect skin contact.
- Eye protection: Wearing an eye protection device, such as a clear eye shield, will prevent insecticide damage to the eyes as well as the surrounding skin.
- Respirator: Choosing a respirator with a filter will prevent pesticides from entering the lungs. Not using a respirator can lead to lung damage and other complications.
How do I use insecticide spray correctly?
Spray evenly. When spraying insecticide sprays, you should cover all leaves and petals of the plant, but avoid getting the plant wet. The sprayer should move at an even rate.Distance from the plant. The sprayer or other spraying device should be kept at a distance from the plants. The optimum distance is 18 inches, which will ensure even coverage.
(personal protective equipment)
Mix the solution evenly. Most insecticides need to be mixed frequently because they are likely to separate from the solution.
Spray at the right time. The best time of day to apply insecticide sprays is dusk. By spraying insecticides at dusk, the fogged insecticide can be discharged before the sun rises. If the insecticide is sprayed in the morning or midday when the sun is strong, it may cause plants to burn.
Recommended tools
Sprayers
A sprayer is a common gardening tool. It is inexpensive and can be found at any hardware store or supermarket.
(gardening sprayers)
The principle of a sprayer is to pressurize the bottle with a hand pump so that the insecticide passes through the nozzle and covers the plants evenly.
Remember to clean the sprayer before each use to prevent insecticide residue.
Fogger
Gardeners use an electric pump to deliver the solution to the nozzle to be sprayed in a mist. Since the insecticide is in a mist form, it is more efficient in application.
Foggers are more expensive and more costly to maintain than sprayers. However, foggers last longer and cover a wider and more uniform area. To extend the life of a fogger, you should clean the fogger before each use.
What else can you do besides insecticide spray?
Insecticides can eliminate pests, but they can also affect other plants. In addition to insecticides, there are 4 practices you can adopt to control pests in your greenhouse.
Suitable plant varieties
Choose greenhouse plant types that are resistant to insects.
Proper planting practices
Use scientific plant management practices, such as fertilizing and watering your plants properly. Gardeners need to observe the plants regularly.
Introduce beneficial insects
Introduce beneficial insects into your greenhouse, as they will eat the pests.
Replant your plants
If your plants are very sick, it is advisable to choose new plants that are more resistant to disease.
Conclusion
Greenhouses both protect plants from natural elements and face special challenges. In a closed environment such as a greenhouse, the consequences are even more dire if pests invade the greenhouse.
(large greenhouse plants)
It is wise to use pesticide sprays in greenhouses to prevent damage.
Insecticide sprays have advantages and disadvantages. Greenhouse owners should use insecticides wisely and integrate other pest control strategies.
