So, our property is infested with "glassy-winged sharpshooters."

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

...and next week they're going to spray outside with "imidacloprid (Merit 2F)"...a "a systemic, chloro-nicotinyl compound which was developed in 1989 by Bayer A.G. and has since become the No. 1 active ingredient in insecticides around the world."

"The chemical works by interfering with the transmission of stimuli in the insect’s nervous system. Specifically, it causes a blockage in a type of neuronal pathway (nicotinergic) that is more abundant in insects than in warm-blooded animals (making the chemical selectively more toxic to insects than warm-blooded animals). This blockage leads to the accumulation of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter, resulting in the insect's paralysis, and eventual death. It is effective on contact and via stomach action." (http://www.rosemania.com/Pesticide_update.htm)

My guess is that May 20th will be a BAD effing day to be a glassy-winged sharpshooter snackin' around MY house.

:evilgrin:

[realisticphish]

1. May 20th:

a day that will live in glassy-winged sharpshooter infamy...

[BR_Parkway]

2. If you're protecting a vineyard, have you heard of kaolin clay?

Here's some info if you'd rather find an organic solution

http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/kaolin-clay-grapes.html

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

3. We don't really have a choice...

...there's a Homeowners Association (these are townhomes) and the California "Environmental Resources Agency, Division Of Agriculture" got their approval to do the treatment. They put a nice, informative flyer on everyone's door. I was here last week when they knocked on the door and asked to inspect the lemon tree in the back yard. I also was the one who gave them the Association's contact info, so I knew they'd be spraying.

Thanks for the info, though. Much appreciated!

:toast:

[BR_Parkway]

4. Understand. After getting out of a HOA, I swore I'd never be in

another one. Found some acreage in the countryside and putting in a vineyard/winery. Plenty of space to grow our own food. Plenty of room to give our neighbors the finger and, without binoculars, they won't even be able to see it.

Good luck with it.