pesticides

[david71]

does anyone know the brand name of a product containing pirimiphos-ethyl ?

[alan refail]

Since this is covered by the Poisons Act 1972 the answer is probably nothing. What on earth are you trying to kill

[david71]

this substance is mentioned in the RHS book on pests and deseases as a treatment for the bean seed fly.

[Chantal]

Having just looked for this stuff on Google, it would certainly kill your bean fly and by the look of it just about everything else in a 10 mile radius, including you! This is some seriously nasty stuff. There must be another way.

[Johnboy]

Hi David,
The old spray SYBOL, which I am sure many contributors have used over the years, contains Pimiriphos-ethyl but has been sadly withdrawn during the last bout of exclusions for home gardeners.
It was the best spray that the gardener had in his armoury to combat pests.
Chantal I do not know what you were reading but in all the years it was used I never heard a bad word about Sybol and as for killing everybody and everything is patently incorrect. It was a very good pesticide and is now sadly missed by some. Others still have a supply of it! Illegal to use now though but I know that it is still used.
JB.

[alan refail]

David

I assume you refer to The Vegetable Garden Displayed (older editions)

It also mentions use of Bromophos, Chlorpyrifos, Diazinon, Dimethoate, Heptenophos, Pirimicarb, Trichlorphon, Fenitrothion, Carbaryl, Diazinon, Gamma HCH, Mancozeb, Thiram, Benomyl, Thiophanate methyl, Quintozene, Mancozeb, Maneb, Zineb.

Life's too short to google all of these. To my mind this is not a part of gardening I wish to be involved with. I actually find it very scary.

Alan

[madasafish]

Sybol?
I have a bottle of that....no no no not true. I deny it.

[david71]

thanks to chantal,john boy, alan refail and madasafish for your help. i agree that the compounds mentioned do sound frightening but i agree with john boy i that in my experience sybol was a very widely used pesticide with good, and as far as i know, safe results. except to the pests of course. i will, however carry on trying to find an acceptable alterative.

[david71]

alan refail

the book i refer to is "garden pests and diseases' which is from the RHS encylopedia of practical gardening. my edition is dated 1992. the book mentions both pirimiphos ethyl and phoxim as possible solutions.

[Chantal]

I didn't look up Sybol JB as I've never heard of it. I Googled for pirimiphos-ethyl and scared myself silly.

However, having read about it, I wouldn't be keen to use anything containing pirimiphos-ethyl however efficacious. I'm sure many people believe in it and used it and I'm sure Sybol was very good, just not for me.

[alan refail]

Chantal

Stop googling. Having said that, I checked that many of the chemicals I listed are organophosphates (and these are dangerous in anyone's book). Remember Gulf War Syndrome, remember Sarin (another organophosphate)?

If you don't want to be scared sillier, don't look at this:-

http://www.pan-uk.org/pestnews/actives/organoph.htm

Sorry, David; this is going a bit beyond your original innocent request, but I think it shows what thought should come before a ready rush to potentially dangerous chemicals.

Alan

[Chantal]

Yes Sir, Alan Sir, I won't Google for the rest of the day Sir I'm not looking at your link either in case I have nightmares. Well, maybe later when I have a glass of vino to hand.

[david71]

alan refail

many thanks for your trouble alan. i think this discussion has shown the value of this forum. many people, me included, would think that advice from the RHS would be risk free

[Bren]

For years we have used Crop Saver, thats banned now as well, it was safe to use and the vegetable could be eaten the following day after spraying we never had any ill effects having used it for ages.

Bren