of course. they are generally neurotoxins, therefore broad spectrum, harming anything from humans to ladybugs.

Generalizing about systematic insecticides and their effect on humans and other creatures is just silly. Of course, asking a question about general insecticides is also somewhat off-base. Is it OK to put salad dressing on salad? There are some that are harmless, some that are suspect, and some that are deadly. Some that pose environmental risks, and some that don't. It also depends a lot on who you want to believe.

By the way, neurotoxins are found in common artificial sweeteners, MSG, butter flavoring (e.g. microwave popcorn), yeast extracts, and caseinates (which are popular as protein supplements). Keep them away from honeybees!

all true. And let us not forget modern wheat impact on human brains. Eat natural, unprocessed foods to minimize risk and manage food toxicity, since all plants are toxic at some level (those that were not toxic were eaten to extinction long ago). I much prefer a sprayed, peeled apple to a pasta dish.

In the past I used carbaryl (Sevin)

http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/carbaryl-dicrotophos/carbaryl-ext.html

Currently I use only Imidan in my orchard

http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/metiram-propoxur/phosmet-ext.html

I still remember the guy who taught me (as a teenager) everything about fruit cultivation. He lost a lung when he summer sprayed an orchard, then decided to do summer pruning right away. It was the 1970s of course.

The issue of their safety aside, I sure wouldn't use them if my only problems were leaf miners and aphids. Neither are a real threat to vegetables and are easily controlled with less toxic methods.

So exactly what specific systemic insecticide are you talking about? Very few are approved for use in the home vegetable garden to begin with.

Dave

Well I have never used insecticides on anything outside of my houseplants before, so I'm not sure what's best to use. An insecticidal soap would probably not get in all the crevices where aphids like to hide. Indoors, I use an imidacloprid insecticide and have read conflicting information as to whether or not the flowers contain enough toxins to kill bees. As an additional precautionary measure, I could also simply cut the flower stalks off before they bloom to keep them from even attracting bees. And as far as ladybugs go, I haven't seen any in my yard in years (I probably wouldn't have so many aphids if they were here). Normally, I try to stay away from using chemicals outside just in case, but picking greens for a salad becomes much more time consuming when I have to scrub 50 aphids off the leaves. It would also only be used on two flower boxes, so at least it would not be widespread. I am really not that knowledgeable on this subject, so I am certainly open to any better ideas.

Try a hose

Aphids are easily control with just a spray of water from a hose or even a pray bottle if only a few plants. You may not get them all but is will control the numbers if done regularly and with no contamination of the food.

Soapy water sprays and things like Safer brand soap-based insect sprays are also quite effective at killing them without resorting to poisons. Most importantly it is the excess nitrogen that attracts them so reducing the use of high nitrogen fertilizers eliminates many of them.

Leaf miners damage is mostly appearance. A pinch of the fingers kills them and any damage is easily removed from the leaves. Otherwise they are almost impossible to kill as they are encased within the layers of the leaves. So the goal is to prevent the flies from laying the eggs in the first place. The only way to do that is to use insect barrier row covers (works for aphids too).

So numerous options - these are only a few of them - are available without adding systemic pesticides to your diet.

Dave