What Insects Are Controlled?
Two to 3 percent solutions can be very effective against aphids, mites, whiteflies, and other soft-bodied sucking insects, and they have minimal impact on beneficial insects. Light horticultural oil works by thinly coating the insect and suffocating it. Consequently it is very effective against scale which often has a hard shell that protects it from other insecticides. Light oil will work on ticks, but it is very difficult to find them.
What To Do
Light horticultural oils may be used in spring, summer, or winter How long before harvesting shd you quit using it? Use a lower concentration of oil on plants with hairy leaves. Never spray a plant in full leaf when soil is dry. If you are uncertain about using the oil on a particular plant, test it on a few leaves. Damage will show up within several days as yellowing leaf tips and margins. Shelf Life
What Not To Do -
Do not over-apply; do not apply when the temperature is below 40<198>F or above 100<198>F, or if rain is likely (leaves must be dry); do not allow the spray to drift on to such sensitive plants as maples, hickories, black walnut, cryptomeria, smoketree, and azaleas. Somewhat sensitive are beech, Japanese holly, redbud, savin junipers, spruce and Douglas fir. Do not spray when the buds are fully opened and shoot elongation is occurring.
SAFETY OF HORTICULTURAL OILS
Horticultural oils are extremely low in toxicity to man, pets, and wildlife, due in part to their lack of residual life on vegetation. They pose little threat to any natural enemies of your target pests.
