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| The cabbage plants don't look like much now. According to my records, I planted the seeds May 14 which means they are about 25 days old. |
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| If all goes well, they will completely fill that space. |
Twenty Happy Rich broccoli in the ground.
Eighteen Hardy Hibiscus seedlings in the ground.
Over at Southern Belle's, I planted four rows of 15 kernels of Bodacious sweet corn and I hoed the weeds in her fenced-in garden.
I also rototilled the spot where Southern Belle wants to put an above-ground swimming pool so she can level it out.
I got the potatoes sprayed for Colorado Potato Beetles.
I was invited to go to Southern Belle's later this evening. I think she wants me to help assemble the swimming pool. The current temperature is 85F with rain expected at 9 p.m. Winds out of the southeast.
I didn't get to the mowing even though I made progress on world-hunger.
What are you using on the Colorado Potato Beetles?
ReplyDeleteTwo gallons of soft water. Two oz of 80/20 surfactant (https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/farmworks-80-20-surfactant-1-gal-4201886). Two oz of 7.9% Bifenthrin (https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/wisdom-tc-flowable-insecticide-1-qt-4203545).
DeleteI covered 650 feet of potato row with a little bit left over.
A friend sent me the following link: https://mwveguide.org/results/crop/547/pests/469
Oh...and the spray nozzle was adjusted to have about a 20 degree cone and I sprayed with-the-wind. When I got to the end of the row, I walked to the center path and walked back up-wind. I made a swirling motion around each plant to evenly coat the tops of the majority of the leaves.
Delete-Joe
TMI?
Thank you for sharing your recipe and technique!
DeleteYour potatoes are now a no duck zone Joe.
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Safety of 7.9% Bifenthrin Insecticide for Ducks
Bifenthrin is toxic to ducks and other waterfowl, and it is not safe for them to eat.
Bifenthrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used to control a wide range of pests, including ants, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and more National Pesticide Information Center. While it is more toxic to insects than to humans, it is highly toxic to birds, including ducks, because birds have a higher metabolic rate and are more sensitive to neurotoxic chemicals National Pesticide Information Center.
Why it’s dangerous for ducks
Neurotoxic effects: Bifenthrin interferes with the nervous system of insects, but in birds it can cause seizures, tremors, paralysis, and even death National Pesticide Information Center.
Waterfowl vulnerability: Ducks are aquatic birds that may ingest contaminated water, sediment, or food particles. Even small amounts can be harmful.
Bioaccumulation risk: Pesticides can persist in water and sediment, increasing exposure over time.
Exposure risks
If ducks consume water, food, or soil treated with bifenthrin, they can be exposed. Symptoms in birds can include:
Ataxia (loss of coordination)
Tremors or seizures
Difficulty breathing
Death in severe cases National Pesticide Information Center
Safety precautions
Do not apply bifenthrin near water bodies, wetlands, or areas where ducks feed.
Keep treated areas away from ponds, lakes, and marshes.
If ducks are present, use alternative, duck-safe pest control methods.
Always follow label instructions and local regulations for pesticide use.
Bottom line: Ducks should not be exposed to 7.9% bifenthrin insecticide. If you must use it, apply it far from duck habitats and avoid any contact with water or food sources they use. For safe pest control around waterfowl, consult a wildlife or agricultural extension specialist for approved alternatives. Tractor Supply Co.
Thank-you for doing all of that research.
DeleteUnfortunately, Bifen doesn't seem to control snails so other methods are needed to control them.
Joe my concerns are for long term reasons. You mentioned planting a garden in an earlier posting and a neighbor farmer sprayed herbicide and oh well, life happens.
DeleteMost of what you've mentioned have unknown side effects for Quicksilver.
I use roundup on a cut the invasive plant, bag it for the dump and dab a small paintbrush on the cut stem.
Taking a little bit more time to integrate the ducks into the operation is an advantage.
DeleteIf I do what is expedient (which is what I would have to do if I wanted to get it done this week) would not be as smart as rethinking fences, fence types, maybe moving the duck jail so it can open to either space (the way I am currently leaning).
If I am going to move the duck-jail then it is time to build a proper one rather than the kludged-together one I have now. It was good enough for proof-of-concept but it is high-labor to collect eggs.
-Joe
Joe ducks do most of their egg laying early morning. If you keep them in the duck "jail " until 9 am most will be in the jail.
DeleteBTW how did the broody Campbell turn out? I've never had success without putting duck eggs under a broody chicken or an incubator.
Have you given thought about a Saladan style mobile coop for them?
Michael the anonymous