How to Use Horticultural Oil for Pest Control

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Photo Courtesy Monterey
The recommended practice for applying horticultural oils is to spray trees in spring, just before flower buds open.

This article is part of ourOrganic Pest Control Series, which includes articles on attracting beneficial insects, controlling specific garden pests, and using organic pesticides.

What Are Horticultural Oils?

When applied directly to pests, horticultural oils interfere with respiration, causing insects to suffocate and die. These oils can also kill beneficial mites and cause leaf injury to some plants, and frequent use can reduce yields, even when the pest is controlled. Best applied in cool weather, horticultural oils are valuable tools in the organic orchard, where they can be used to control pests that overwinter in bark crevices. Oily leaf surfaces also make poor sites for insects to lay eggs, and may deter early outbreaks of mites, aphids and scale on fruit trees.

  • Published on May 7, 2013
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