I found this this morning while looking for articles on Dormand (Horticultural) Oil to kill Spider Mites. Jon had suggested that I use a soapy water to kill the suckers, but they came back, even after 4 weekly applications of the spray. I’ll add the vegetable oil, perhaps jack up the quantities of oil and soap. After all, anything worth doing is worth over doing.
If that doesn’t work, I’ll try the kerosene, maybe followed by a match. That’ll learn 'em! :0 The mix is supposed to be good for one fruit tree, but they don’t say what size the tree is. My guess is that a fruit tree will be worth several Alberta Spruce. I’ll just cover the foliage well, along with the bark down to the ground. It is important to cover all the bark, even to the central trunk, so poke your spray nozzle into the foliage to get the interior.
One more thing, and I don’t know where I learned this tidbit… Cut the lowhanging branches up from the ground. Give the tree a visible trunk. The critters travel from tree to tree on the ground, and if they can’t find a low hanging branch to shinny up, they have to try to find the trunk. Most don’t make it.
I plan to start just as soon as I can see the bottoms of the trees through the snow.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/a-less-toxic-dormant-oil.html
In early spring, while fruit trees and shrubs are still dormant, many farmers and gardeners spray what is called a “dormant oil” on the bark and buds of their trees. A very old-fashioned approach to pest control—some say it dates back to the Thea century—the purpose of the oily spray is to suffocate overwintering pests, such as aphids and mites. Most commercial products are made of kerosene or other petroleum oil. A much less toxic and more sustainable approach is to use a renewable resource such as vegetable oil.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoon liquid soap
1 gallon water
Easy Directions
Combine the soap and oil and stir to blend thoroughly. Add the water a bit at a time, stirring as you go (water and oil don’t really emulsify; the soap helps the process). Pour the mixture into a clean garden spray container. Spray a coat of the mixture over the entire bark of a tree. Shake the
container frequently as you are spraying.
Makes 1 gallon, enough for one fruit tree.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/a-less-toxic-dormant-oil.html#ixzz2KRNmd03r