My yard smells like a fishing dock...;-)

9 years ago

I just sprayed all my trees with a mix of fish emulsion, a little HO, a little neem, and a low concentration of Peter's (very low). My yard and my person smell like a fish market. I am still hopefully a couple of months from bringing in my trees, but I see whiteflies on the new growth and am taking no chances. I intend to do this every week till they come inside with a final stronger spray right before entering my house. Last winter I had to battle mites and whiteflies...very annoying. I hope to avoid them this winter by this regimen of spraying and by leaving them outside as long as possible. Thanks Mike for your ideas on doing this!

Featured Answer

cory (Zone 7a, NJ)

9 years ago

When I use the smelly Alaska brand FE I have added essential oils such as lavender or rosemary and that has helped disguise the smell somewhat. I think I also tried adding blackstrap molasses that I read deodorizes it too. If I remember that worked pretty well too plus I think it must provide iron to the tree. I figure both the essential oils and the molasses will also help kill the insects. I don't mind the fish smell that much and it is gone in a few hours. I try to disguise the smell more for the neighbors than for myself. My brother hated the smell. I always always seem to spray myself thoughly no matter how hard I try not too. This year I have been using the Kelp/ FE mix by Neptune's Harvest and that has much less of an odor.

Cory

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Comments (11)

dnedd1 zone7 LI NY
9 years ago
Last season I followed your mixture and had no issues with scale, aphids and mites like years past. I don't know if I can add fish emulsion to the mix for leaves, it might be the final straw for my wife lol.
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
9 years ago
Lol! My kids complained! I went right to the shower afterwards ;-). I will report how everything looks tomorrow. I figure it will certainly not hurt! I have lots of new growth and whiteflies on them...I spent most of last winter battling first mites, then those dreaded flies...they need to be thoroughly disinfected this year before coming in.
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hibiscus909
9 years ago
I was looking into fish spray recently. The brand I looked at (not Alaska) pointed out that emulsion and oil are not the same thing. Theirs is food grade oil, and the RTU spray is also deodorized. I haven't tried it yet, I'm too scared.

What do your dogs think about the spray, Laura?

I imagine all the free roaming cats, and raccoons find it quite interesting.

I just sprayed all mine with milk, and since they are all on my deck, it smelled like a dairy the rest of the day, lol.
myermike_1micha
9 years ago
Laura, would you that is what I did today! I LOVE the smell and I use the Neptune's Harvest..Sort of like standing near the ocean...Great job Laura!
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks guys! Cory, I may try adding EO next time...certainly can't hurt. Tonight and tomorrow we will have lots of rain, so most of it will wash away, but I'll do it again in a week :-). Mike...I don't mind the smell that much either now..
sunshine (zone 6a, Ontario,Canada)
9 years ago
It is better to have fish smelling citrus, than sick looking citrus. I add sometimes cayenne pepper and essential oils to my spray and wear a mask during the process :)) works well!
dnedd1 zone7 LI NY
9 years ago
Sunshine what does the pepper do? That could be an option for me instead of fish emulsion.
sunshine (zone 6a, Ontario,Canada)
9 years ago
Dnedd1, before all the chemical " protection " of plants against pests gardeners were using natural remedies against garden pests. Here is information on pepper spray for garden on one of the gardening websites I was reading some time ago: " Capsaicin is the compound in hot peppers that give it the "hot" taste that is enjoyed by many humans. Capsaicin, however, repels all other mammals and kills insects by causing membrane damage and metabolic disruption. It also affects the nervous system of invertebrates. Most insects are repelled by pepper spray and will avoid treated plants". It is more natural than other chemical pesticides that pollute our air, water, soil and body. For me, the more natural approach, the better.
hibiscus909
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What is the dose rate for molasses?

Of course citrus oil is also used for insects. And smells wonderful :)
Bob
8 years ago
When you do a foliar spray don,t forget to use a surfactant( wetting agent), it will last longer and does not wash-off with rain. The underside of leaves is more important.