Horticultural Oils

Horticultural oils provide a safer way to control insects, scales, mites, and eggs on plants. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison talks about the different kinds of oils, and shows how to mix, and apply oils. Oils are contact insecticides, they only kill the insects and eggs that are directly sprayed. There is no residual effect. To be effective you need to spray the entire plant. Complete coverage is important, spray from all angles and make sure the spray goes into all the cracks in the bark of trees. Any place you miss is where the insects will survive. Oils should only be used in a certain temperature range. They work best in lower humidity. All the specifics for the kind you are using, how to mix, and application instructions can be found on the label.

Related Video:
Spraying Dormant Oil

Related Resources:
General Comments about the Use of Horticultural Oil
Insect Control: Horticultural Oils

April 18, 2020