Insecticides

[james mickelso]

Whether "organic" or "chemical" they are toxic to something. Most "chemical" insecticides today, thanks to environmentalists and my generation, are almost benign to the point of ineffectiveness. Anyone remember DTD/the old Malathione? Toxicity to large animals, in the appropriate mixture/dilutions is miniscule to say the least unless that animal drinks the "chemical" insecticide straight. "Chemical" insecticides oxidize or become harmless to the surrounds after a very short time in the environment. Many "organic" (in actuality chemical) insecticides stay potent for much longer in the environment. And if they are toxic to the pest, they are toxic to the good insect and the bad. Neem oil is non selective. I applaud those who want to be as eco friendly as possible. Very commendable. I've spent my life being just that. I've worked in water and sewage treatment for over three decades, and in the 60's went toe to toe with Pacific Lumber to try and save the redwoods in northern California. I stood in front of bull dozers and was arrested numerous times for trying to defend these magnificent trees. I belonged to Coast Rider and The Sierra Club when there were few of us. I went to court in the early 70's trying to get San Onofre and Trestles beaches opened to the general public. I fought San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant and have been at it since the 70's. We finally won and it is now closed. But in a small environment, with plants that are important, and need immediate help, I have no problem using a chemical insecticide once, in order to keep from having to dose the plants over and over with an "organic" substitute. We're not talking about spraying a city for med fly or millions of acres of soybean/corn/rice/beans/tomatoes/grains/ect. And if you ask a question, or ask for opinions, then listen to the answers. If you already have a strategy in mind, then don't ask for other's opinions. And don't accuse my generation of spoiling the environment. My generation got off their duffs and did something about it. We created the mechanisms whereby the current generations can still wage the good fight. My generation produced the ecology movement. And all the environmental protections that the current generation enjoys. Before you attack "my" generation, read some history. My generation here in the USA wrote the ecological defense blueprint for the rest of the world to follow. And biological controls have proven to be less than adequate in ridding an environment of all the pests it was intended to take care of in the first place. I spent large sums of money trying to get lady bugs to eradicate aphids in my tomatoe fields and strawberry fields when I was a commercial farmer. Ok....I'll get off my soapbox now. Thank you.