Integrated Pest Management programs in apples, pears, apricots, cherries, almonds, peaches and nectarines could all benefit from the inclusion of a highly refined paraffinic spray oil such as Vicchem Trump Spray Oil.
Horticultural oils are useful when used correctly since they’re:
• Relatively safe to the user and animals
• Applied easily
• Have a phytotoxic low risk
• Cost-effective
• Show little effects on beneficial insects
• Low risk of resistance due to multiple modes of action
• No withholding period.
Used according to the label, high purity Spray Oils such as Vicchem Trump Spray Oil can be effective and safe in the summer control of mites, aphids and scales either on their own or with a partner. They do this in a number of ways:
• Blocking air holes (spiracles) by which insect’s exchange gases, causing asphyxiation
• Breaking down membranous fatty acids and interfering with cell metabolism
• Emulsifying waxy layers that protect them from the elements and moisture loss
• Disrupting how an insect feeds, a feature that is particularly important in the transmission of some plant viruses by aphids
• Reduced fecundity.
Because of these numerous modes of action, pests have a very low chance of developing resistance.
See this article in Tree Fruit Jan 2023
