Malathion & R.O. Water
 

So I used malathion today for the first time (thank you, brown soft scale). Because I always use R.O. water with my tolumnia, I mixed up the malathion (liquid) at the recommended dilution in R.O. water. I immediately had white globules dispersed through the water -- like fat, or oil. I went ahead and used the mixture, agitating frequently to keep whatever that was (the carrier?) in suspension. But I'm wondering -- is that normal behavior for malathion? Or is this something to do with using it in R.O. water? Should I use tap water instead next time?

Thanks in advance!

L.P.

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Sounds like a hydrocarbon-based solvent that was incompatible with the water (RO being irrelevant, I'd guess).

Try adding a bit of liquid soap to the mixture next time, to emulsify the oil.

Did you happon to check the pH of the mix. I think
insecticides are supposed to be adjusted to neutral for best results. Is RO water more acidic?

I didn't check the pH -- it was just plain (RO) water in a clean bucket. If the water wasn't essentially neutral, does that mean the pesticide would be completely ineffective? Or just not as effective as it MIGHT have been?

It is supposed to be more effective at a neutral pH and stay effective for a while longer. A few drops of dish soap also helps the fertilizer stay in suspension. It sticks better and some cases it even helps it get to the insect. Be sure and follow the instructions on the container.

For the most part, pesticides themselves do not affect solution pH themselves, but may be affected by what they are mixed with. The mild acidity of RO is not likely to be an issue, and malathion is not much affected by pH anyway, unless it gets way off neutral.

Interestingly enough, it has been tied to ADHD in kids, though.

Interesting. As Orchids3 mentioned above, I do try to be careful with how I use it. And I use it as seldom as possible! Thanks, everybody for the input.

L.P.