Diazinon as a 'soil' dench

[Kyle]

Hi
I'm having a problem with sow bugs.
Is diazinon safe to use as a soil drench for phrags, enc, phals and paphs in bark?

Is there anything else I might consider using?

Kyle

[LJA]

Diazinon works very well for that, as does Malathion. Most any insecticide that kills on contact, is rated for ornamentals and approved for home use will do the job without causing harm. Just mix according to instuctions and leech away. You might plan on doing your plants about a week or so before bringing them in, and watering the plants outside one last time afterward. That'll minimize any residual insecticide odor indoors.

[sterling]

Diazinon has been removed from the list of approved products.

Malathion is still ok

Sterling

[LJA]

Sterling, you're absolutely right. Diazinon is no longer available for home use in the U.S., so you won't be able to find it at any of our garden centers. It might still be available in Canada, but I'm not certain. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Kyle]

I'm pretty sure its still available...
Do I use Malathion the same way? do I mix it in the same ratio as I would to spray it, but use it as a drench?

Kyle

[LJA]

Kyle, yes. Mix it according to the label directions as if you were going to spray it, and just pour it through the medium in your pots. Since most of it will drain out, I personally reuse it. There has been some question as to the riskiness of transmitting virus by that practice, but for us, that question is a moot point: we have plants hanging above other plants, and when we water, the drainage from the ones above invariable splatters on the plants beneath. In 17 years it hasn't been a problem, but if you're concerned about the possibility of that, just use fresh solution for each plant.

[sterling]

Although Diazinon has been removed from the list of approved products, some stores still have it on the shelves so it might be available if you go to a place that doesn't have lots of activity, like an agway in a small town, etc.

Sterling