Malathion hasn't been permitted to be sold for domestic in the UK for 15 years. Too late now for you but I wouldn't have it anywhere near my garden.

No idea how long it takes to work or even if it does work on them as like most others I'd never use it. Why such a nuclear approach when so many less toxic and harmful options are available? I suggest some research into the product before electing to use it again.

Dave

Thanks, I have a HUGE problem with them - worst year yet. If I spent 3-4 hours a day 7 days a week hand picking it would still not be enough. I have tried everything else.

Define "everything else" that you have tried specifically please.

It is clearly too late for row covers now but when applied before the problem develops they are the most effective. Have you tried Surround or Spinosad? Both quite effective. Sticky traps? Tried any pyrethrum product? Which one? How about Sevin spray - not that I recommend it but it is safer than malathion at least.

You'll also want to do some planning on how to handle the fall clean up to reduce the problem next year since they will over-winter in any garden debris.

Dave

Carbaryl, Sevin: LD50(oral)= 500 mg/Kg, Dermal= 850 mg/Kg

Malathion: LD50(oral)= 5500 mg/Kg, Dermal= >2000 mg/Kg

Get your facts straight.

Thanks guys, let me be clear I HATE chemicals but have no choice. Out for 30 minutes this AM squashed dozens of humping pairs. I might try the sevon

Barrie I read that to mean sevin is a lot less toxic correct?

No, just the opposite. Higher LD50 means a higher amount needed to be lethal and therefore less toxic. You could say that Sevin is 11 times more toxic orally than Malathion.

You are right Barrie. I should have qualified my comment that right or wrong, Sevin is "considered" safer than malathion by much of the garden community and the USDA despite their LD rating. I assume because it is an organophosphate rather than a cholinesterase inhibitor. But neither are safe to use IMO for either people or beneficial insects, fish and other wildlife and as I said, I certainly don't recommend their use.

Dave

Don, have you used the Surround WP?

FYI I used sevin and it worked far better then malathion - I think I am going to get rid of that stuff.

What plant are you using this on? There are many, many ways to grow veggies without bugs, and without toxic chemicals. I wouldn't eat whatever vegetable you've been lacing with all those chemicals, but each to his own.

digdirt....malathion IS a cholinesterase inhibitor. And an organophosphate. The first is the mode of action in the living organism; the latter is the chemical group in which it belongs. All organophosphates are cholinesterase inhibitors.

So are the carbamates, which includes Sevin.