[NAFEX] systemic pesticides, Assail vs Imidan

Alan Haigh alandhaigh at gmail.com
Wed Feb 11 07:10:13 EST 2009


The issue of synthetic residues is always a potent topic of contraversy so
I'll definitely bite.  I like a systemic pesticide because it stays put.  If
you spray a tree with Imidan and walk around under it while the chemical is
still active and there is dew on the ground your feet will pick it up.  You
will likely track it into your vehicle or home where biological processes
are greatly reduced and the poison stays active for a very long time.  I'm
guessing the Assail will mostly stay on the grass (and more importantly the
fruit).  If you thin fruit by hand you are less likely to pick it up there
as well.

By the time you eat the fruit, 2 to 5 months will have passed.  The tiny
little marble sprayed will be anywhere from the size of a plum to a large
peach or apple.  Even 14 days after spray, the poison will have inadequate
strength to kill the targeted organism whose entire diet is that fruit.  I
will experience much more exposure in the mixing and spraying process so a
tiny fraction of residue doesn't concern me much.  I'm much more concerned
about oncoming traffic on my way home from the orchard.

I'm nervous about using Assail only because I haven't used it before, and
Imidan is a tested and trusted ally against PC.  I guess none of you have
used it yet.
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