OMRI Listed for Organic Gardening For use on ornamentals, roses, vegetables, citrus, small fruits, tree fruits and nuts. Controls aphids, mites, scales, whiteflies and other soft-bodied insects Year-round usage — Dormant and growing season For use only in home fruit and vegetable gardens, home greenhouses, interior plantscapes & ornamental gardens What is Monterey Horticultural Oil? It is a uniquely formulated paraffinic horticultural oil designed for both dormant & summer usages. It controls insects by suffocation rather than poisoning them. I thought oils could only be used in the winter because they will burn the plant? No longer true! Today's horticultural oils are specially formulated to be used during the summer months without causing burn. How does Monterey Horticultural Oil differ from the other oils that are available to the homeowner? Most products of the past have been dormant oils. These are used on dormant trees to control eggs from mites, aphids, etc. The newer horticultural oils can be used year round. Monterey Horticultural Oil differs from these in that it is 80% oil & 20% surfactant. It looks like a thick cream in the container. The other horticultural oils are usually made up on 98% oil & 2% surfactant. The advantage ofMonterey Horticultural Oil is with the 20% surfactant system. It is safer on the plant, does a better job of controlling insects, and stays mixed while you are spraying. What else is unique about Monterey Horticultural Oil? Oils are rated by their distillation range, which is the temperature range in °F used in refining the product. This process affects the weight of the oil. For example: kerosene is a lighter oil than motor oil. Insecticidal oils have a distillation range of 415°-465° F. When distilled under 415° F, there is very poor insect control. Distillation above 465° F results in very high plant toxicity. Monterey Horticultural Oil is right in the middle of the range at 435° F. It is also micronized in the manufacturing process. Regular horticultural oils have a micron size of 700. Monterey Horticultural Oil is sheared to 50 microns (the smaller the number, the finer the particle size), which results in better plant coverage. How does Monterey Horticultural Oil work? It controls the insect by suffocation. It will kill eggs, larvae & adult insects. However, you must physically spray the insect in order for it to be effective. I use beneficial insects. Can I still use Monterey Horticultural Oil for insect control? Yes, most beneficial insects are highly mobile. They will generally leave when you start to spray, then return later. Because they must be physically covered to be killed, they are not harmed. Will insects develop resistance to Monterey Horticultural Oil? No. Monterey Horticultural Oil is not a poisonous material. Insects do not eat it. It is a physical control that kills by suffocation. Therefore, insects do not develop resistance. What types of insects does Monterey Horticultural Oil control? It is very effective on aphids, whiteflies, mites, mealy bugs, scales, etc. It gives poor control for caterpillars & worms. However, it does a very good job on the eggs of allinsects. Does Monterey Horticultural Oil give residual control? No. It only kills pests that are present when you spray. It does kill the insect eggs, however, so there is some residual control in that respect. What can I use Monterey Horticultural Oil on? All ornamentals, vegetables, herbs, fruit tree, nut & vine crops. How close to harvest can I use Monterey Horticultural Oil on my fruit trees & vegetables? Monterey Horticultural Oil can be used on the day of harvest. What is the application rate for Monterey Horticultural Oil? The normal rate is 2.5–5 Tbs per gallon of water. Thorough coverage of the insect & the underside of the leaves is necessary for maximum control. Use the higher rate of application (5 Tbsp) initially, then follow up with the lower rate (2 1/2 Tbsp) until control is achieved. Can I mix Monterey Horticultural Oil with other pesticides? Yes & No. Although it is safe to combine with most pesticides, DO NOT mix with fertilizers, sulfur, Captan or Sevin®. When I opened the bottle of Monterey Hort. Oil I smelled ammonia. Does this mean the product is contaminated? No, Ammonia is used in the manufacturing process. There may be a slight ammonia odor initially when the bottle is opened. |