What is Dormant Oil

Dormant oil kills many chewing and sucking pests in the organic garden, including aphids, scale, whiteflies, fruit moths, and all kinds of mites. You can combine dormant oil with good garden hygiene practices, such as removing fallen fruits and foliage, to control many damaging insects.

As a means of pest control, dormant oil is similar to other physical methods of control like floating row covers because its efficacy comes from its ability to form a suffocating film over insects and their eggs. This mode of extermination means that harmful chemicals, which can affect humans and wildlife, aren’t necessary.

What to Spray with Dormant Oil

Dormant oil is sprayed during the spring and fall. Arborists usually use dormant oil on trees and shrubs, but fruit trees especially benefit from an annual dormant oil application because of their susceptibility to pests.

The new generation of dormant oils is less viscous, which make them evaporate more quickly. This decreases the chances that the dormant oils will damage your trees or shrubs. Nevertheless, some plants are especially sensitive to dormant oil and require alternative pest control methods. Maples, redbuds, hickories, and walnut trees are susceptible to dormant oil damage, as reflected by blackened branches or yellowing foliage.

Source : http://organicgardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/dormant_oil_in_the_organic_garden

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