InsectNet forum

EdTomologist wrote: ↑Sun Aug 20, 2023 10:20 pm Am I the only one that permathrin treats my insect drawers?

That's a good question. Why not use it?


@adam thanks for the correction

Hot off the press, New York State Lyme cases have already exceeded all of 2022.

https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2023/08/21 ... -new-york/

Update on the yellow jacket nest.

After a misting of Permethrin, they continued to go in and out for a few days, and there would be 20-30 dead or dying on the porch each day.

Then for about five days, no activity.

Suddenly, lots more activity. And, the dead wasps started piling up again.

Since I only hit the entries with Permethrin, it appears it didn't get to the queen (I'd not expected that though) so she continued producing. It does appear though that the workers going in/out of the nest are still "going to sleep" upon contact with the Permethrin.

I gave it a good shot this morning, see what happens.

Wife not happy with piles of dead yellowjackets each day.


......

Meanwhile, I'd be very interested in more thoughts on using it in drawers.

Agree with jshuey, etc. who argued that natural pyrethrins are "not that bad". When one has to use pesticides, those are what to use. They rapidly break down and leave no residue or cumulative toxicity.

Foxfarm's "Don't Bug Me" is 100% natural pyrethrin for domestic garden application. On occasion, I have used it in the winter on violet pots (for rearing Argynnis) under assault by sowbugs.

Obviously, they will still kill what you are rearing if you are careless. I shudder to think of what happens if you are handling a gravid female you want to keep with permethrin-treated clothes. That's why I don't use any repellents or sunscreen in the field. It's amazing what long white sleeves/pants/collars will accomplish to protect you.