Insecticide

Target Pests

Labeled Crops

Comments

Many including: aphids, beetles, weevils, thrips, true bugs, caterpillars, leafhoppers, leafminers, whiteflies, mites, and fungus gnat larvae

Insect growth regulator for immature stages of insects. Repeat applications needed. Repels some insects and can be used as an antifeedant.

Azadirachtin & Neem Extract
(Agroneem Plus)
4 hr. REI
Group un
OMRI Listed

Aphids, caterpillars & loopers, leafminers, mites, thrips, and  whiteflies

Many vegetables including fruiting vegetables, baby vegetables, etc.

Each treatment has two applications.

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai

(Agree WG, XenTari)
4 hr. REI
Group 11
OMRI Listed

Certain caterpillars (see label)

Greenhouse vegetables such as tomatoes, cole crops, peppers (see label)

Stomach poison that must be eaten by target insect to be effective. Most effective against small, newly hatched larvae. Insects stop feeding and dies 1 to 5 days later.

Bacillus thuringiensis

subsp. kurstaki
(Deliver, DiPel Pro DF, Dipel DF)
4 hr. REI
Group 11
OMRI Listed  

Certain caterpillars (see label)

Many vegetables including leafy and cole crops, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and squash

Stomach poison that must be eaten by target insect to be effective. Most effective against small, newly hatched larvae. Insects stop feeding and dies 1 to 5 days later.

Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp. israelensis
(Gnatrol)
4 hr. REI
Group 11
OMRI Listed

Fungus gnat larvae

Vegetable plants such as leafy and cole crops, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and eggplants

Stomach poison most effective against first instar larvae. Apply as soil drench. May be applied through irrigation system. Do not combine with fungicides or fertilizers containing copper or chlorine.

Beauveria bassiana
(Botanigard ES)
4 hr. REI

(Mycotrol O)
4 hr. REI
OMRI Listed

(Naturalis L)
 4 hr. REI
 OMRI Listed

Bifenazate
(Floramite SC)
12 hr. REI
Group un 

Spider mites

Greenhouse tomatoes.

Not effective against rust mites or broad mites. Compatible with beneficial predatory mites. Is rapidly degraded in alkaline water of high temperature. Use solutions promptly or add a commercial buffering agent.

Buprofezin
(Talus 40 SC Insect Growth Regulator)
12 hr. REI
Group 16

Whiteflies, mealybugs, and leafhoppers

Greenhouse tomatoes

Active against nymph stages. Chitin synthesis inhibitor, suppresses oviposition of adults and reduces viability of eggs. Treated pests may remain alive for 3 to 7 days, but feeding damage is low. Apply no more than two applications per season.

Chlorfenapyr
(Pylon)
12 hr. REI
Group 13

Caterpillars (many), spider mites, broad mites, and western flower thrips

Tomato, tomatillo, ground cherry, peppers, eggplant, pepinos.

Do not use on tomato varieties with a diameter of less than one inch when mature. 

Do not apply more than 3 applications during a crop cycle. Do not apply more than two consecutive applications before rotating to a chemical in a different class.

Dinotefuran
(Safari 20 SG)
12 hr. REI
Group 4A

Aphids, leafminers, mealybugs, thrips (suppression), whiteflies (including silverleaf whiteflies – B and Q biotypes)

Vegetable transplants

Do not make more than one application per crop.

Horticultural oil
Paraffinic Oil
(Ultra-Pure  Oil)
(Pure Spray Green)
4 hr. REI
NC
OMRI Listed

Many including aphids, leafminers, mites, thrips, whiteflies, leafhoppers, mealybugs and others

Many vegetables including cole crops, lettuce, eggplant, pepper, squash and tomato

Works by contact.  See label for information on plant safety. All applications should be preceded by a phytotoxicity check to ensure that the material is safe for that particular plant variety.

Petroleum Oil
(Saf-T-Side Spray Oil Emulsion Fungicide, Insecticide and Miticide)
4 hr. REI
NC
OMRI Listed 

Petroleum Oil
(SuffOil-X Spray Oil Emulsion Fungicide, Insecticide and Miticide)
4 hr. REI
NC

Aphids, leafhoppers, leafminers, mites, thrips, whiteflies

Vegetable crops (see label)

See label for information on plant safety.

Paraffinic Oil
White Mineral Oil
(JMS Stylet Oil)
(Organic JMS Stylet Oil)
OMRI Listed
4 hr. REI

Leafhoppers, leafminers, mites, whiteflies

Many vegetables (see label)

See label for information on plant safety.

Imidacloprid
(Marathon II)
12 hr. REI
Group 4A

Aphids, fungus gnat larvae, leafhoppers, leafminers, thrips (suppression), whiteflies

Insecticidal soap
Potassium salts of fatty acids
(M-Pede)
12 hr. REI
OMRI Listed

Aphids, mites, thrips, whiteflies, broad mites, leafhoppers and others

Many vegetables including bulb, cole, leafy, fruiting and cucurbit types

Works by contact. Good coverage is needed.  Avoid treatment when plants are stressed. Certain species of cultivars may be sensitive. Spot treat first. When used with hard water, a compatibility agent may be needed.

Iron phosphate
(Sluggo Snail and Slug Bait)
0 hr. REI
OMRI Listed

Slugs and snails

Many vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplants, lettuce, onions, peppers, squash, and tomatoes

Ingestion causes the slugs and snails to cease feeding, become less mobile and begin to die in 3 to 6 days.

Malathion
(Gowan Malathion 8 F)
12 hr. REI
Group 1B

Aphids, cabbage loopers,  leafhoppers, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies and others depending upon the crop (See label)

Cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes and others 

Apply to give complete coverage.

Metaldehyde
(Deadline Mini-Pellets)
12 hr. REI

Slugs and snails

Many vegetables (see label)

Apply as a soil surface treatment. Do not apply directly to or contaminate edible portions of the plant. For best results, apply in the evening, especially following watering.

Parasitic nematodes
(NemaShield, Nemasys, Scanmask)

Fungus gnat larvae
Nemasys: western flower thrips

Greenhouse vegetables

Remove screens and filters from the sprayer. Nematodes are very sensitive to ultra violet light and desiccation. For soil dwelling pests such as fungus gnat larvae: Spray on soil surface and then water in. Apply to moist growing media at temperatures between 50-85 F.

For western flower thrips (Nemasys). Foliar application. Do not apply in direct sunlight. Lightly mist plants before application. Efficacy will be variable depending upon relative humidity, temperature, concentration, frequency of application and insect growth stage.

Pyrethrins
(PyGanic EC)
12 hr. REI
Group 3A
OMRI Listed

Many including aphids, caterpillars, fungus gnat adults, thrips, leafhoppers, whiteflies and others

Many vegetables including bulb, leafy, cole, fruiting and curcurbit types

Flushes insects from hiding with knockdown effects.

Pyrethins and rotenone
(Pyrellin E.C)
12 hr. REI
Group 3A and Group 21B

Pyriproxyfen
(Distance Insect Growth Regulator)
12 hr. REI
Group 7C

Whiteflies (greenhouse, silverleaf, & sweetpotato), aphids (suppression)

fungus gnat larvae, shore fly larvae (apply as heavy spray (sprench) or drench)

See supplemental label for use on indoor-grown fruiting vegetables.

Do not apply to tomato varieties less than one inch in diameter or to non-bell peppers. 

See label for specific use instructions on rates and plant safety for use as a drench or sprench against fungus gnats or shore flies.  Do not make more than 2 applications per season.

Sesame oil and refined fish oil
(Organocide Insecticide and Fungicide)
EPA exempt
OMRI listed

Mites, aphids, whiteflies, fungus gnats, leafminers and others

Vegetables

See label for plant safety precautions. Test first. Some cole crops (collard, cauliflower, turnip and brussels sprouts) have shown some sensitivity.

Soybean Oil
(Golden Pest Spray Oil)
4 hr. REI
NC
OMRI Listed

Aphids, mites, leafminers, certain caterpillars, whiteflies, thrips and others

Vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, curcurbits, lettuce, melon, peppers, squash and tomatoes 

See label for information on plant safety.

Spinosad
(Conserve SC)
4 hr. REI
Group 5

Leafminers, caterpillars, thrips

Cole crops, curcurbits, fruiting vegetables, leaf vegetables etc.

See label for resistance management guidelines.

Spirotetramat
(Kontos)
24 hr. REI
Group 23

Aphids, leafhoppers, mealybugs, spider mites, whiteflies

Vegetable transplants

Will not control heavy population of spider mites.

Sucrose Octanoate Esters
(SucraShield)
48 hr. REI
OMRI Listed

Aphids, caterpillars, leafhoppers, mites, thrips and whiteflies

Vegetables

Contact insecticide with limited residual activity.

Fungicide

Targeted Pest

Labeled Crops

Comments

Basic Copper Sulfate
(Cuprofix Ultra 40 D Disperss)
12 hr. REI
Group M1

Many diseases including angular leaf spot, downy mildew, Alternaria blight, anthracnose, bacterial blight, bacterial spot (depending upon the crop)

Many including cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and others

Crops grown in the greenhouse may be more sensitive to copper injury so the user should determine plant sensitivity. Observe for 7 to 10 days for symptoms of injury.

Bacillus pumilus
(Sonata)
4 hr. REI
Group 44
OMRI Listed

Downy mildew, powdery mildew

Many including cole crops, curcurbits, fruiting, leafy vegetables

Begin applications when conditions in the greenhouse favor disease development.

Bacillus subtilus,
(Serenade)
4 hr. REI
Group 44
OMRI Listed

Many diseases including downy mildew, powdery mildew, bacterial spot, early blight

Many vegetables including broccoli, leafy vegetables, cucurbits, peppers, tomatoes and others.

Preventative biofungicide. Thorough coverage essential.

Bacillus subtilis
(Cease)
4 hr. REI
Group 44
OMRI Listed

Many diseases including leaf spots, powdery mildew, botrytis blight, downy mildew

Many including cole crops, curcurbits, fruiting vegetables, leafy vegetables,

Begin applications when conditions in the greenhouse favor disease development. Thorough coverage is essential.

Copper Hydroxide
(Champ DP Dry Prill, Champ Formula 2 Flowable, Champion WP,
Champ WG (OMRI Listed), Kocide 101, Kocide 2000, Kocide 4.5LF, Kocide DF)
24 hr. REI
Group M1

Leaf spots, Anthracnose, Bacterial spots and other diseases (see label)

See labels for specific crops.

See labels for specific usage instructions.

Copper salts of fatty and rosin acids
(Camelot)
12 hr. REI
Group M1

Many including bacterial leaf spots, leaf spots and blights, downy mildew, powdery mildew and others

Greenhouse vegetables (see label for specific crops)

See label for specific usage instructions.

Cuprous oxide
(Nordox 75 WG)
24 hr. REI
Group M1

Anthracnose, Phomopsis, Botrytis,  various leaf spots and blights (see label)

Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant

Begin applications when disease first threatens.

Dichloran
(Botran 75-W)
12 hr. REI
Group 14

Botrytis, White Mold (Sclerotinia)

Cucumbers, leaf lettuce, and tomatoes

Seedlings or newly set transplants of tomatoes may be injured by drenching.

Fenhexamid
(Decree 50WDG)
12 hr. REI
Group 17

Botrytis

Fruiting vegetables, tomatoes, cucumber  and leafy greens (except spinach)

Thorough coverage needed. Do not make more than two consective applications. Do not apply in the field.

Horticultural oil
Paraffinic Oil
(Ultra-Pure Oil)
4 hr. REI
NC

(Saf-T-Side
Spray Oil Emulsion Fungicide, Insecticide and Miticide)
12 hr. REI
NC
OMRI Listed

(Organic JMS Stylet Oil) OMRI Listed
4 hr REI
(JMS Stylet Oil)

Hydrogen dioxide
(Oxidate)
0 hr. REI (non-spray)
1 hr. REI (spray)
OMRI Listed

Many including mildews, leaf spots and blights, and root

Tomatoes, peppers, leafy and cole crops, cucurbits and others

Strong oxidizing agent. Contact, oxidizing sanitizer.

Insecticidal soap
Potassium salts of fatty acids
(M-Pede)
12 hr. REI
OMRI Listed

Powdery mildew

Greenhouse cucumber

Works by contact. See label for usage instructions.

Kaolin
(Surround WP)
4 hr. REI
Group NC
OMRI Listed

Powdery mildew

Curcurbit vegetables

Forms a mineral-based particle film resulting in a dry, white film. May be unsightly for retail sales. Uniform coverage important for effectiveness.

Mancozeb
(Dithane F45, DF)
24 hr. REI
Group M3

Leafspot diseases, seed treatment for damping off, seed rots and seedling blights, and downy mildew

Tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, summer squash and others

Broad-spectrum protectant fungicide.

Anthracnose, leaf spots, early blight, late blight

Tomatoes (greenhouse)

Protectant fungicide.

Root and stem rot, damping off (Rhizoctonia solani)

Vegetable bedding plants: limited to container-grown broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, peppers and tomatoes

Protectant fungicide.
400 Flowable and 75WP: Apply as a soil drench.
15G and Turfcide: Used as growing media mix. See label for additional information.

Potassium bicarbonate
(EcoMate Armicarb “O” )
(Kaligreen)
4 hr. REI
(Milstop)
1 hr. REI
Group NC
OMRI Listed

Powdery mildew and others

Many vegetables including cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes and squash

Contact fungicide. Through coverage essential. Potassium bicarbonate disrupts the potassium ion balance in the fungus cell, causing the cell walls to collapse.

Propamocarb HCl
(Previcur Flex)
12 hr. REI
Group U

Pythium, Phytophthora

Tomatoes, cucurbits, peppers, leaf lettuce

For prevention of root rot and damping-off. Phytotoxicity may occur if applied directly to dry growing media, especially in intense sunlight.

Pyrimethanil
(Scala SC)
12 hr.  REI
Group 9

Gray mold (Botrytis), Early Blight (Alternaria)

Tomatoes

Apply only in well ventilated greenhouses and ventilate for at least 2 hours after application. Phytotoxicity may occur in unventilated greenhouses with relative humidity above 80%.

Streptomyces griseoviridis
(Mycostop, Mycostop Mix)
4 hr. REI
Group NC
OMRI listed

Fusarium, Alternaria,

Suppression of Botrytis, and root rots of Pythium, Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia in the greenhouse

Many including lettuce, cole crops, cucumbers, melons, peppers, tomatoes and others

Preventative biofungicide. Contains a beneficial bacterium. Repeat applications may be needed. Use as a soil spray or drench.

Suppression of Downy mildew, powdery mildew, Botrytis, Pythium, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia

All greenhouse vegetables

Preventative biofungicide that suppresses diseases.

Suppression of Fusarium, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora and others

Greenhouse vegetables.

Preventive biofungicide that suppresses diseases.  Also, contains iron and humic acid.

Bacterial Spot

Tomatoes and peppers

Repeated applications can result in resistant bacteria. Do not apply through any irrigation system.

Powdery mildew

Microthiol Disperss: Crucifers, cucurbits, peppers and tomatoes

Micro Sulf: Many including cole crops, cucumbers, eggplants, greens, peppers, tomatoes

Crops grown in greenhouses may be more sensitive to sulfur injury, so the lowest label right should be tried initially. Do not use within two weeks of an oil spray treatment.

Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Cylindrocladium and Thielaviopsis

Fruiting vegetables, leafy vegetables and cole crops

Preventative biofungicide. It will not cure diseased plants. Avoid applications of fungicides at least one week before or after application. (Foliar applications only for non-food crops.)

Pest

How to Monitor

Where to Look

Biological Control Options

Aphids

Monitor weekly. Rely on plant inspection, not sticky cards. Look for small, 1/16 inch long aphids with two cornicles or “tailpipes” at the rear of their body.

Underside of leaves and along stems on tips of new growth on eggplant, pepper, tomatoes and many different leafy vegetables.  Signs of aphid activity: shed white skins, shiny honeydew, presence of ants, curled new leaves, and distorted growth.

Bacterial Leaf Spot

At first, chocolate-brown spots are less than 1/4 inch in diameter, & water-soaked in appearance on pepper. Severely spotted leaves  appear scorched and defoliation may occur.  Some strains cause leaf spot on tomatoes.

Seed-borne disease.

More prevalent during moderately high temperatures and long periods of high humidity and leaf wetness.

 Bacillus subtilus

Botrytis blight

Look for leaf blight and tan stem cankers. Botrytis blight produces characteristic gray fuzzy appearing spores on the surface of infected tissues during humid conditions.

In areas where plants are spaced close together and where condensation may occur.

Bacillus subtilus (biofungicide) (suppression)
Streptomyces griseoviridis (suppression)
Streptomyces lydicus (suppression)

Broad Mites

Look for symptoms of damage – leaf edges curling downward, twisted and distorted growth. Under a microscope, look on underside of leaves for mites and their eggs.

Near ornamental crops affected with broad mites.

Neoseiulus californicus (predatory mites)
Neoseiulus cucumeris (predatory mites)

Cyclamen Mites

Look for symptoms of damage – inward curling of leaves, puckering and crinkling. Under a microscope, look within buds for mites and their eggs.

Neoseiulus cucumeris (predatory mites)

Damping Off
(Pythium Root and Stem Rot)

Visually examine roots for cortex that sloughs off leaving central core.

Inspect plants weekly for signs of disease: Wilted, stunted off-color plants with discolored root systems. Focus on areas where plants stay wet or where there may be high populations of fungus gnats and shore flies that may carry disease spores. High soluble salts/fertility increases susceptibility.

Bacillus subtilis (biofungicide)
Trichoderma harzianum (biofungicide)
Streptomyces griseoviridis (biofungicide)
Streptomyces lydicus (biofungicide)

Damping Off (Rhizoctonia Root and Crown rot)

Monitor seed flats of susceptible plants including cole crops, peppers, and tomatoes. Look for small, water-soaked spots on stems or leaves before seedlings collapse.

Seed flats near walkways or near dust and debris. Overcrowded seedling flats are more susceptible to damping off.

Bacillus subtilis (biofungicide)
Streptomyces griseviridus (biofungicide)
Streptomyces lydicus (biofungicide)
Trichoderma harzianum (biofungicide)

Fungus gnats

Use sticky cards to monitor for adults. Place cards horizontally above soil surface. Potato chunks can be used to monitor for larvae.

Check every two days.

Favorable habitats include areas with standing pools of water, mud floors, spilled media and weeds.

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (pathogen)
Atheta coriaria (predatory beetles)
Hypoaspis miles (predatory mites)
Steinernema feltiae  (nematodes)

Powdery mildew

Scout weekly. Look for faint, white fungal threads and spores on leaves.

Scout near vents, or any location with a sharp change between day and night temperatures.

Bacillus subtilis (biofungicide)
Streptomyces griseviridus (biofungicide)
Streptomyces lydicus (biofungicide)

Spider Mites
(Two-spotted Spider mites)

Rely on plant inspection. Look for light flecking, speckling or discolored foliage, and webbing if high populations have developed.

Look in hot, dry locations in greenhouse (i.e. near furnace) or near entranceways.

Amblyseius fallacis (predatory mite)
Feltiella acarisuga (predatory midge)
Neoseiulus californicus (predatory mites)
Phytoseilus persimilis (predatory mites)

Thrips
(Western flower thrips)

Rely on sticky cards (placed just above crop canopy) and foliage inspection of key plants for early detection and to evaluate treatments. Use petunia and fava bean plants to indicate early thrips feeding.

Inspect plants by tapping tender new growth over a white sheet of paper. Watch for curled, emerging leaves, distorted new growth on pepper. Look for white scarring and black fecal spots on cucumber and eggplant.

Amblyseius degenerans (predatory mite)
Amblyseius swirskii (predatory mite)
Chrysoperla spp.  (green lacewing, predator) Hypoaspis miles (predatory mites)
Neoseiulus cucumeris (predatory mites)
Orius insidiosus (pirate bug, predator)
Beauveria bassiana (insecticidal fungus)

Tospovirus
Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) &
Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV)

Symptoms will vary depending upon the host. On pepper, look for necrotic spots on the leaf. Ringspots may also develop. On tomato, young leaves may develop small, dark brown spots.

Thrips populations may be highest at front and rear of the greenhouse. Use fava bean or petunia indicator plants to determine if thrips are carrying the virus. Symptomless weeds may also be a source of virus.

None
See thrips.

Whiteflies

Rely on plant inspection to detect immature stages. Use sticky cards to monitor adults.

Egg laying adults are found on the uppermost tender leaves of tomatoes, eggplant and assorted greens. Immature stages are stationary and are found on the undersides of leaves.

Chrysoperla spp. (green lacewing, predator)
Amblyseius swirskii (predatory mite)
Delphastus catalinae (predatory ladybeetle) Eretmocerus eremicus (whitefly parasite)
Eretmocerus mundus (whitefly parasite)
Encarsia formosa (whitefly parasite)
Beauvaria bassiana (insecticidal fungus)