An insecticide would not be an effective treatment for a fungus on a tree. Eagle 20EW Specialty Fungicide would be the recommended product for treating powdery mildew on crepe myrtle trees at the rate of 0.06 - 0.12 fl. oz. per gallon of water per 1,000 sq. ft., sprayed directly onto the tree. You can refer to the product label for complete application instructions.
If you are seeing black sooty mold on the tree, then then the Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench could be applied to help treat the scale insects which cause the secondary issue of black sooty mold.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench will not affect carpenter ants nor ants at all. We would recommend reviewing our How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants guide here.
Yes, Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is labeled for use on ornamental trees and shrubs.
TheFertilome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is designed to be used at a rate of 3 oz per foot of height on any shrubs or hedges. You will want to use in enough water for the active ingredient to reach the entire root zone. The amount of fl oz and volumes of water can vary depending on the height of each shrub/hedge.
A more economical approach would be Dominion 2L which uses the same active ingredient only with a higher percentage which would mean a lower rate per individual plant. The mix rate for Dominon 2L would be 0.2-0.4 oz per foot of shrub height in a sufficient amount of water to thoroughly cover the entire root zone.
Ferti-Lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is not labeled to be directly applied full strength to the soil as this product must be mixed with water before pouring around the base of the tree/shrub. Per the product label, apply one (1) gallon of solution in a circular band from the base of the tree outward for two (2) feet. Please refer to page 9 of the product label for the Mix Rate Chart under the How to Apply Section for more information.
Fertilome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is not labeled for mites at all. There are no systemic products that are currently on the market for spider mites. It can be used as directed for listed insects to trees and shrubs.
You can use systemic products like the Ferti-Lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench any time the plants are in an actively growing state and soil temps are at least 55 degrees. The tree should be able to take the product up through the roots to treat the tree essentially from the inside out over time. The bigger the tree the longer it will take for the application to move all the way up through the plant to the furthest tips of the leaves and branches.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is best applied as one soil drench per year during early spring to early fall but can be applied anytime of year as long as the ground is not frozen.
For best results, magnolia trees should be fertilized three times during the growing season in spring, early summer and mid to late summer. A balanced granular fertilizer, such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10, works best because it will supply all the macronutrients the tree needs. Please refer to your fertilizer product label for application timing for best results.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is not labeled for ants directly. If you have a lot of ants on your trees or other ornamental plants, then they may be feeding on honeydew that is being produced by sucking insects such as aphids or scale. The systemic insecticide will treat for those sucking pests, so a treatment can indirectly help to eliminate the ants in that situation. Please see our Ant Treatment Guide for more tips on treating for this pest.
Fertilome Tree & Shrub Insect Drench is labeled to control adult Japanese Beetles and may be used on trees, however, the product label states, "Do not apply this product by any application method, to linden, basswood or other Tilia species in the State of Oregon."
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is not labeled for use on containerized or potted plants, so we cannot provide a rate for your application. We suggest using Hi-Yield Systemic Insect Granules instead, which is labeled for use on containerized plants. In a 1 gallon pot, you would use 2.5 Tablespoons worked into the top 1-2 inches of soil, and repeat treatments at 8 week intervals during the growing season.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is formulated for use on trees and shrubs as a root drench only. If you would like a product with the same active ingredient for chinch bug control, then you can use Dominion 2L at a rate of 0.6 oz per 1000 sq ft for suppression of chinch bugs. For better control, you can use a granule insecticide such as DeltaGard G Granules or Arena Granules.
We also have more tips in our online Chinch Bug Treatment Guide here.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is not specifically labeled for treatment of carpenter ants. For treating carpenter ants around/in trees, you can use a bait such as the Advance Carpenter Ant Bait around the base of the tree as well as where the roots/branches meet in small piles. Another option is a spray product called Dominion 2L which will work similar to a bait, but they just have to walk across the treated area and they pick it up and transfer to others in the colony. It can be sprayed up to breast height on the tree or by injecting into the part of the tree that is infested following the instructions on the product label.
Carpenter Ant Baiting Tips
Due to the natural boring behavior of the beetle, they are protected from topically applied insecticides and systemic insecticides (such as Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench) have proven ineffective for pine beetle infestations. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution when it comes to pine beetles. Infected trees should be cut down (before the newly hatched beetles fly out of the trees in the spring/summer) and the wood burned or chipped, while other still healthy trees should be sprayed annually to protect them. Healthy trees can be protected before the beetles attack by topically spraying them with a product called Permethrin SFR. The tree should be sprayed from the ground to 15 ft up the trunk to prevent future infestations.
According to the manufacturer, as long as the drench around the tree has had enough time to completely dry, it will not pose a threat to the chickens in the chicken coop. The Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench will bind to the soil and will absorb through that tree to prevent insect from eating it up.
Fertilome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is safe for Crepe Myrtle trees but is not labeled for aphids. We do offer Adonis 2F, which provides systemic control for aphids and can be used on Linden trees
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is not labeled for carpenter ants. Carpenter ant nests in trees are an indication of rotting wood. Such trees should be checked to determine whether the rot has weakened the tree enough that it becomes a hazard.
You can use a product such as Dominion 2L both topically and as a systemic to help get rid of carpenter ants and also aphids which may attract them to the trees. Dominion 2L is a non repellent so does not affect the ants immediately and you will continue to see activity. Non repellents allow the insect to cross the treated areas undetecting the insecticide and then transfer the active ingredient throughout the colony.
Talstar P is another option that can be used for a foliar applciation only to the trunk, nest or cavity where ants are found to include, branches, leaves, foliage and the ground surrounding the base of the tree.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench does not include container plants or houseplants on the product label. However, you could consider using Bonide Systemic Houseplant Insect Control, if your are looking for a systemic insecticide for your plants.
Fertilome Tree & Shrub Insect Drench is best applied as a preventative treatment once a year or over multiple applications as long as you do not exceed 9.4 fl oz per 1000 sq ft per year. Applications can be done anytime during the year as long as the ground is not frozen or saturated but preferably in fall and spring prior to expected insect populations peak.
Since this is a soil drench insecticide and the active ingredient needs time to translocate up from the root zone throughout the tree, it is recommended to apply the soil drench 2-3 months before the expected pest infestation.
Please view page 7 of the product label for more information on Soil Drenching Trees & Shrubs.
Ferti-lome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench is labeled to control Royal Palm Bugs, which are specific to Royal Palm Trees, so this product should be fine for other types of palms.
