You would need to use a foliar spray to control caterpillars like the Fertilome Borer, Bagworm, Tent Caterpillar & Leaf Miner Spray. The dilution would be 2 ounces per gallon of water and reapplication times with vary with the type of plant/tree you are treating on. Complete instructions can be found on page 12 of the product label.
We would recommend contacting Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench directly for this usage, their number is 855-270-4776.
Fertilome Tree & Shrub Insect Drench is for use on outdoor trees and shrubs including listed fruit and nut trees: Apple, Loquat, Oriental Pear, Crabapple, Mayhaw Pear, Pecan, and Quince. One soil drench treatment per year during early spring to early fall is recommended for a preventative treatment program before insect damage occurs.
Fertilome Tree & Shrub Insect Drench does take time to absorb depending on the size of the plant or tree. This can range from one week to 3 months for full absorbtion. Soil drench applications should be be done 2-3 months before the expected pest infestation you are targeting.
Please contact your local cooperative extension office to determine the correct timing of the application for your specific area.
Pollinator Safety Information
Please view the Protection of Pollinators Section of the product label on page 3 that advises on the risks of using this product as well as steps to take to minimize exposure of this product to bees and other pollinators.
You will use 1 oz of Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench per inch of distance around trunk diluted in one gallon of water. For additional application instructions, please find the label here.
Per the Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench : "Do not apply this product, by any application method, to linden, basswood or other Tilia species." Due to the sensitive nature of Linden trees, we recommend speaking with the master gardener at your local cooperative extension office to determine what products can safely be applied.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench can be applied year round as long as the ground is not frozen. Applications are most successful earlier in the year prior to insect development as this can take time to uptake and translocate throughout the tree.
Depending what you are treating for, a foliar spray with an insecticide labeled for your target insects is a good control method while the systemic drench treatment is absorbed.
If you have not had a positive id of the insect done, please consult with your County Extension Office for assistance in a positve id.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is not labeled for any mite control. Talstar P is great broad spectrum insecticide and will help control predatory mites. View the product label for more information.
We would suggest consulting with your County Cooperative Extension Office for recommendations on what they’ve found to be succesful in eliminating pine bud mites.
Fertilome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench can only be applied to established trees after they have well rooted and showing signs of good health. This would not be used on newly planted trees.
This product is a once a year soil drench application. View the product label for more information.
We apologize but cannot identify issues with a description. Many galls are caused by insects such as wasps that complete their life cycle on/in the tree, other galls can be caused by disease so determining the cuase of the galls is needed to determine the best treatment plan.
We would recommend consulting with the Master Gardener/Entomologist at your County Extension Office as they are great resource for homeowners. This division of the local university is available for homeowners to assist with disease identification, weed control, soil analysis, active ingredient or product recommendations as well as the best time to apply.
You can find your Master Gardener at this link: http://npic.orst.edu/mgamlr.html
Unfortunately, neither Fertilome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench nor any other systemic insecticides will prevent or kill infestations of boring beetles such as the Asian ambrosia beetle. Trees can be sprayed preventatively with an insecticide such as Talstar P. Trees that are already infested can sometimes be trimmed of infested branches, but usually infested trees will need to be destroyed. Fertilome Systemic Drench is just an insecticide; it will not prevent or treat any fungus. Keep in mind that there is no known fungicide to treat the disease problems caused by the Asian ambrosia beetles.
When applying Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench, it is not recommended to irrigate the soil immediately following a soil drench application. When applying this product during dry period or if soil is compacted, generously water the tree or shrub the night before treatment.
Refer to pages 7-8 of the product label for recommended volumes of water and distances out from the tree/shrub.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is part of an overall tree and shrub health care program before problems start, which works by moving up through trees and shrubs providing year-long insect protection. Keep in mind that mature trees are just as susceptible to insect infestations as younger trees, so this product would be recommended for the protection of trees and shrubs of all different stages.
You can refer to the product label for complete application instructions, and use as directed.
Since hibiscus is classified as a flowering shrub, Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench can be used for annual soil drench applications at the product labeled rate for shrubs of 3 fl oz per foot of shrub height to 1 gallon of water.
Please refer to page 10 of the product label for more information.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench would be a great systemic soil drench application for protection against aphids and many other insects. Refer to page 8 of the product label in the “Trees” Section for application rates and information.
It is recommended to use an insecticide such as Talstar P as a foliar spray application since soil drench applications can take weeks to months to translocate from the roots throughout the tree depending on the size. View the product label for more information.
As long as the temperatures are above freezing, you can make an application of Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench as directed. The foliage may only take up the application if it is actively growing which means it needs to be about 60 degrees for best results.
Per the product label, the Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming plants or weeds. Do not apply or allow it to drift to blooming plants or weeds when bees are foraging. Applications with this product should be made before buds form.
The Fertilome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench will not prevent worms as systemic insecticides do not work on these types of insects. A foliar spray product such as Bonide Fruit Tree Spray would be recommended as a full coverage spray to leaves, fruit branches, trunks and base of tree until dripping.
Refer to the Rate Chart on page 5 of the product label for different growing stages of the fruit.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is best applied prior to high pest activity and for prevention and usually lasts a year. It does take weeks to translocate through the plant. Please see the label for complete application instructions. We have more tips in our Aphid Treatment and Prevention for a successful program.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is not specifically labeled to treat sod webworms. The most popular product for sod webworms is Tasltar P which can be used in lawns, landscape beds and around ornamental plants, bushes, trees, shrubs, etc. Time applications to control young larvae, if possible.
Talstar P and other insecticides will kill earthworms and other benficials should they come in contact with it.
Please take a moment to look over our Sod Webworm Control Guide for more information on treating and preventing this pest.
