Imidacloprid every or every other year for aphids?

10 years ago

I have a 24 year old Little Leaf Linden right smack dab in front of my house which had been invaded by aphids every year and then covered with sooty mold. I tried horticultural oils and soaps to no real avail. I finally gave up and used the bayer imidacloprid/fertilizer soil drench and after 2 years of this treatment the tree is finally looking beautiful and healthy.

Does that pesticide have any residual effect? If so can i apply it every other year with the same results. If there is any chance that it's protection has diminished i want to apply it again this year because the site of this tree pretty much consumes the view from inside and outside the front if my house and i cant bare another year of mold.

Also is it okay to use the bayer version with fertilizer every year or should i look for a fert free version? Thanks!

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Comments (3)

Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
10 years ago
2 cents - the fertilizer promotes vigorous and sustained growth....which aphids love. Good strategy by Bayer! I'd look for a fertilizer free version to try biennially.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
i had a very big scale problem.. on one of my dwarf pines ...

i treated ONCE... and they never came back ...

i would suggest.. that you dont poison the tree and mother earth... on a 'preventative' basis ....

rather.. wait and find out.. if they return ... since in theory you wiped them all out ...

whatever you decide.. be safe ...

ken
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flora_uk
10 years ago
It might be of interest to US gardeners to know that Imidacloprid (as well as Thiomethoxam) has just been withdrawn from use in the European Union for 2 years while more research is carried out into the effects of neonicotinoids on bee populations. This in response to a report by the European Food Safety Authority which identified potential risks to bee health from the chemicals. Lindens are bee magnets when in bloom.

Lindens get very large and attempting to keep them aphid free is going to be an enormous and never ending job. They just get aphids - that is their nature. If that is a real problem to you I would be inclined to choose a different tree. Have you tried just pointing the hose at the tree and spraying it forcefully every so often?

Also I don't think there is any point in fertilising an established 24 year old tree.

Here is a link that might be useful: Imidacloprid