News & Updates:

Gammexane and Gam-aphex are among the proprietary preparations of the gamma isomer of BHC (Lindane) available in Australia. They are even cheaper than DDT, especially if purchased as concentrated solutions, which may be added to other sprays, such as TMTD, wettable or colloidal sulphurs, copper oxychloride, and Chlorparacide. It is interesting to note that the tea-planters of Assam and other areas have discarded DDT in favour of Gammexane for the control of insects and caterpillars in their plantations, and of flies and mosquitoes in their homes.

Never allow Systox, E605, DDT, or Lindane on open flowers, for they are all toxic to bees.

Nicotine sulphate has been superseded for control of aphides by Lindane, DDT, and the organic phosphates. The same may be said of Clensel.

White-oil emulsion is a contact spray, and in the strength of one part to forty or fifty parts of water it is safe on roses at any time of the year, except on very hot days. It is particularly useful in dealing with the various scale insects and established mildew. It should always be mixed very carefully, and is incompatible with any form of sulphur.

Red-oil emulsion, kerosene emulsion, and Clensel are all useful contact sprays, but they are inferior to white-oil emulsion, and so are unnecessary additions to our list.

There are three types of ovicidal sprays available: E605, tar distillate, and Chlorparacide. E605 has been discussed already; in addition, it acts as a contact spray with persistent action and as a systemic poison, whereas tar distillate and Chlorparacide have no power other than as ovicides. E605 is effective against both red spider and aphis eggs, but tar distillate destroys the eggs of aphis only and Chlorparacide is useful only against red spider eggs and larvae.

Tar distillate, sometimes called Winter Wash, will destroy every aphis egg with which it comes in contact, and the presence or absence of aphides in the spring depends on the degree of efficiency shown in the application of the spray. It will burn any foliage, and so may be applied only immediately after winter pruning, while the rose plants are quite dormant. It should be handled carefully and only on perfectly calm days, for it can burn the eyes and skin severely. It is incompatible with all other sprays and spreaders.

Chlorparacide, or PCPPBS (p-chlorbenzyl p-chlorphenyl sulphide) is available in Australia as Miticide, Ovamite, and Mitox. The last of these is on sale in Britain as Chlorocide. These preparations are toxic to the eggs and larvae of red spider, but they have no effect on the adult mites or on aphis eggs. When a population containing all stages of mites is sprayed, the adult female spiders continue to lay eggs for a time. These eggs, or the larvae emerging from them, are killed by the persistent action of the deposit on the foliage. The adult mites die off naturally and are not replaced. Because of this process it usually takes two to three weeks before an active population is reduced to negligible numbers. Chlorparacide can penetrate through and diffuse across leaves, exerting persistent effect for as long as two to three months. The compound is, of course, not transferred to new growth, so that this is not protected, but red spider mites usually feed and lay eggs on the older foliage. It has no toxicity to bees or other pollinating insects, and is not dangerous to spray operators; no precautions are needed, except that one should wash well after handling Chlorparacide so as to avoid skin irritation.

Spreaders add greatly to the efficiency of sprays that show much tendency to run off foliage. The sulphonated wetting agents (especially Agral L), soapsuds, and molasses are the best spreaders. Molasses is the least efficient but is compatible with all sprays, whereas Agral L is incompatible with arsenate of lead, and soap with arsenates, lime sulphur, Bordeaux mixture, and Bordinette. Many proprietary spray preparations contain a spreading agent already.