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Old 05-04-2009, 11:15 PM   #17 (permalink)
Lagniappe
 
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Default Re: Grub worms...Friend or foe?

It's not about that. I've worked in the pest control industry for years. I even bought a new termite control system last year. Still, I wouldn't spray that around MY yard. If I get termites in my home,it'll be the nematodes, diatomaceous earth, and (most importantly) Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, that will be used as a control. The latter is a derivative of boric acid and very safe.
It can be sprayed on wood to control the fungi responsible for breaking it down (rot) and insect pests such as termites and beetles. However,this material is not sprayed on the soil.
Todays termiticides are actually manufactured to perform like an organic control in that they work very slowly. In doing this, the drones bring the material back to the queen and the reproductive cycle of the colony is ended.

I don't employ these,or any other organic 'practices' to be kind to the Earth or to make it safe for you and future generations, I do it because I have begun to understand the soil food web and I know that I now have none of the problems with my plants that I had when I used pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
Nobody said it was the only way to go, nobody said it would save the Earth, all that was said was that these methods are sustainable. I'm no tree hugger,no environmental activist, no animal rights advocate. I Do , however, know how my plants react to the above mentioned and how they thrive in the organic, life filled, nasty, fungi encrusted, bacteria ridden, funky parcel of bug infested land I've provided.
BTW....There is no wrong way, or right way (though one is toxic and one is safe and sustainable)I just don't have time to spray fungicides, nematicides, foliar feeds, pesticides, or any of the babysitting with the amount of plants I have. If I apply any type of control that may kill of the symbionts that keep my plants on 'auto pilot', I will see a barrage of problems creeping up. I just can't afford that, no one can imo.
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