Horticultural Oils Explained
What are horticultural oils and where can I get them?
By Willi Evans Galloway ...
How Horticultural Oils Work as Insect Control
The primary way horticultural oil kills insects is by suffocating them. The oil blocks the spiracles through which insects breathe.
Horticultural Oils
Scales and eggs of leaf-curling aphids and over-wintering mites can be successfully controlled with dormant season applications of horticultural oils. To avoid plant damage and be effective, oils must be applied correctly.
Horticultural oils prevent the spread of viruses by aphids, including watermelon mosaic, squash mosaic, and potato virus Y. Oils also curb the spread of viruses that humans transmit by hands or tools (for example, tobacco mosaic virus).
Horticultural Oil
This superfine oil works by physically smothering insects and their larvae. It can be used year-round on trees, evergreens, ornamentals, flowers, vegetables and houseplants.
Horticultural Oils
Refined petroleum oils have long been used for managing insects and mites. Oils smother insects by plugging the orifices, called spiracles, through which they breathe. They may also be toxic to some insects and mites.
Horticultural oils-Highly refined petroleum-based or seed-derived oils that are manufactured specifically to control pests on plants.
horticultural oils. Highly refined petroleum (or seed derived) oils that are manufactured specifically to control pests on plants.
host. A plant or animal that provides sustenance for another organism.
HORTICULTURAL OIL - This includes both a dormant oil and a summer oil - used to smother eggs and developing insects on trees and ornamentals.
horticultural oil An oil made from petroleum products, vegetable oil, or fish oil, used to control insect pests and diseases. Oils work by smothering insects and their eggs, and by protectively coating buds against pathogen entry.
Horticultural oils are a non-poisonous, safe, and non-polluting insecticides. They are usually used to kill slow moving, immobile sucking insects by suffocating them with a thin layer of oily film.
Horticultural oils should do the trick. One or two applications prior to bud break will cover and smother the overwintering eggs and prevent spring attacks.
Horticultural oil is a more highly refined version of traditional "dormant" oils applied to leafless trees and shrubs in winter. Horticultural or "summer" oils control a wide variety of rose pests, including rose scale and whitefly.
Spray horticultural oil at the first sign of green in the spring to help get rid of scale insects and limit mites and aphids.
Remove all dried fruit or fruit debris (either still on the branch or fallen) in the fall. Also rake leaves and remove them.
Refined horticultural oil sprays are another control option, although they are ineffective against leafminers that have already burrowed into leaves, To reduce further damage, spray plants weekly, covering all leaf surfaces.
Effect of horticultural oils. Oil should be applied prebloom to suppress pest mites early in the season.
For a safe treatment try some horticultural oil on a Q-tip and dab on individual adult scale. The oil will kill them by suffocation. For cottony cushion scale use rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip.
If more serious treatment is indicated, apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, both of which are available as concentrates at most garden centers.
Use a horticultural oil, insecticidal soap or another spray. As with all fungus diseases, it is essential to begin application at the early onset of the disease- often late June or early July - and ensure that all susceptible foliage is treated.
Although fungicides can help when applied early on, heavier infections may need to be treated with horticultural oil or neem oil.
Saf-T-Side™ is a horticultural oil used alone or can be mixed with other insecticides. It is excellent to use in environmentally sensitive areas where children or animals frequent.
Oil Pharm -- A new Summer Horticultural Oil for use on Fruit Trees, Vines, Shrubs and Woody Ornamentals that is made from Certified Organic Soybean Oil and Certified Organic Soap (as a sticker) to help maintain zero toxicity in the home and garden.
When an infestation proves resistant to these hand controls and damage still occurs, apply minimally-toxic controls like horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps directly to the pests (avoiding broadcast spraying).
Add a tablespoon of horticultural oil to every 10 cups of solution and shake well. Spray your plants until they are dripping about every 10 days, more often if heavy rains occur.
Horticultural Oils for Pest Control
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Thoroughly spray all plants brought home from a greenhouse or garden center with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to kill whitefly nymphs and eggs. Natural enemies include lacewing larvae and parasitoid wasps.
Use physical controls, repellants and long-handled weed pullers.
Mulch once a year to reduce weeds in beds.
Use least-toxic products, such as soaps, horticultural oils and plant-based insecticides.
Anti-transpirants and sulfur-based fungicides will treat many diseases while a mixture of baking soda and horticultural oil has been shown to be an effective way to control powdery mildew.
Distorted foliage is a sign of their presence; good garden hygiene can go a long way toward preventing future problems with the pests. If an infestation occurs, may be treated with traditional insecticides; pyrethrins; horticultural oil; ...
This can easily be prevented simply by watering regularly and applying a bit of a dressing of dolomite lime. They can also get two spotted mite, which can be controlled by applying a wettable sulphur or spraying with horticultural oil.
Use all natural fungicides and insecticides to protect your trees on a regular basis. You can also spray your apple tree with horticultural oil to suffocate pests after full bloom and throughout the summer.
Plants attacked: Apples, avocados, citrus, grapes and other fruits; some ornamental and tropical plants.
Management strategies: Insecticidal soap will control the immature stage. Horticultural oils will control nymphs and adults.
Horticultural oils or refined oils don't contain insecticidal properties but work by smothering out insects and can be very effective on scale or overwintering insects. As with any pesticide, always read and follow the label directions.
 See also: Horticultural, Plant, Insect, Water, Gardening
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