Planning ahead for my just-started grow, I think it’s prudent to have an insecticide handy. But which one?
The insecticides I see recommended here most often for indoor grows are neem oil, spinosad (e.g., Captain Jack’s Deadbug), and pyrethrin (e.g., FoxFarms Don’t Bug Me).
Neem oil is versatile because it’s a 3-in-1 insecticide, miticide, and fungicide that kills adults, larvae, and eggs. It can’t be used during flowering, though, because it adds an unpleasant taste. It’s also stinky.
Spinosad is an insecticide and miticide that kills adults, larvae, and eggs. I don’t know what drawbacks it has, if any.
Pyrethrin is an insecticide that kills on contact but doesn’t kill eggs (apparently – not certain about this).
Insecticidal soaps kill insects and larvae on contact but are less effective (or maybe ineffective – not sure) on eggs.
I’ve seen 2 products (Earth’s Ally 3-in-1 Plant Spray and Grower’s Ally Crop Defender 3) that mix thyme, rosemary, clove, and peppermint oils. They’re 3-in-1 insecticide, miticide and fungicide sprays and claim to be more effective than neem oil.
Have I missed any?
At this point, spinosad and the mixed-oils sprays seem like the best choices.
I sprinkle them around my yard for big control for sure. I had them in a plant inside a couple rounds ago and the corn started molding. I won’t do it again, at least not in Coco
Both investion big enough can harm roots before they mature and break soil, and yes they are a big pia and irritant when ya open the tent or go near the plant
The oil mixes I described are called “horticultural oils.” There are other examples beside the ones I mentioned; the oils they use varies.
SM-90 is an old favorite, made by Nutrilife. Its active ingredient is “Sulphonated Canola Oil Solution.” It was removed from shelves in the US because the FDA had an issue with its labeling. Nutrilife hopes the fix the problem and start selling it again. (Article here.)
Azamax, Growers Ally, Jacks Dead Bug, Lost Coast Plant Therapy, Mammoth are just a few. Ive had the best luck with Azamax. It doesnt take a lot either when using a nano sprayer. All of these you can use up to the day of harvest.
Azamax: Active ingredient is azadirachtin, which is present in neem seeds. It’s an insecticide and miticide, and kills nematodes, too. Given it’s mechanisms of action, I doubt it kills eggs, but I’m unsure.
Lost Coast Plant Therapy and Mammoth are horticultural oils. (Soybean + peppermint oil + citric acid in the first case; corn + thyme in the second.)
Growers Ally (horticultural oils) and Jacks Dead Bug (spinosad) have been mentioned already.
My title for this thread was meant to be a bit of a troll that would identify good products I’ve overlooked. It’s unlikely that any one insecticide is best in all cases.
I got a bottle of Earth’s Ally (horticultural oils) and will get some Captain Jack’s (spinosad) as a backup. Both kill insects, larvae, and eggs, using different mechanisms, so if one doesn’t work adequately the other probably will.
A bonus of starting this thread is that I learned where those accursed gnats come from and how to eliminate them. I’ll add some Mosquito Bits to my arsenal to deal with them.
