Bees Bayer Systemic Pesticide

[Ray]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

point of organic vs chemical is that organic is ( usually ) a contact insecticide that only works if the insect is sprayed directly and is harmless ( to everything ) at other times. Unlike chemicals there are no long-lasting residual effects. Its the residual effect that causes the problems, usually in the water supply, or if used outdoors - in other plants and soil.

Sorry.... I think this is painting with too broad of a brush and blurring facts. I am not arguing that persistent chemical residues are not a problem, but it's not as simple as "organic" versus "chemical".

I don't know how the USDA and OMRI decide something is "organic" (it's certainly not in the true chemical sense), but they are still "chemicals".

Sucrose octanoate esters are certainly chemicals, yet the products using it are considered to be OMRI Organic.

And not all chemical toxins lay around undisturbed, where they can contaminate soils and water supplies.

Acephate (most commonly purchased as Orthene in the orchid world) is a highly effective (i.e., toxic) systemic organophosphate insecticide. While it is toxic by itself on contact, it is its metabolites, sequestered within the plants, that provide the residual effect that can last up to about two weeks. Any unabsorbed acephate will decompose rapidly upon exposure to UV, and any dripping into the soil breaks down in in a matter of a few days, with its major metabolite being carbon dioxide.