Talstar should not harm trees or shrubs if used according to the instructions on the product label.
Talstar P is labeled to treat for termites and lasts for about 5 years in the ground and works as a repellent, killing only those insects that come into contact with the treated area. A better option for subterranean termites non repellent termiticide such as Termidor SC or Dominion 2L. Termidor will last up to to 10 years in the soil and Dominion 2L will last 5-7 years. Non repellents work slower but much more effectively when treating a termite colony as they are able to be transferred thorought the entire colony therefore eventually elimating the colony. Talstar P will only repel the termites, not kill the entire colony.
Talstar P should be used when it is dry outside and there is no rain expected within a 24 hour period.
Talstar P will only kill those that contact a treated surface. Any new growth will not be protected and will need to be sprayed. It can be used once a month or every 7 days at the low rate.
Talstar P is applied at the rate of 1 oz. per gallon of water per 1000 sq. ft. for June bugs. You can apply monthly outdoors and every 90 days indoors.
Talstar P is labeled for roaches but is not the best choice, especially for German roaches, as they typically require a more aggressive treatment. German roaches reproduce at a rapid rate and can be resistant to many products that have been used over time. The most effective way to treat for German roaches is to use a combination of an insecticide residual spray, strong roach bait gel, and an insect growth regulator (IGR). We would recommend using one of our Roach Control Kits so that you can be sure you have everything you need for a complete roach treatment program. You may also want to look over our Roach Control Treatment Guide for more information.
An insecticide like Talstar P would be a great option for you for all of these pests, along with many others. It is recommended to also use an insect growth regulator (IGR) like Archer IGR for fleas and ticks to stop them from reproducing. Both of these products can be applied with a hand pump sprayer. You may also want to look over our Pest Prevention Guide for more information.
Talstar P (Talstar One) can last in the soil for up to 5-7 years, no edibles should be planted in an area treated with it for this reason. It would be best to remove and replace the top layer of soil if just sprayed before doing so.
You can use a hose-end sprayer to apply Talstar P. You shoul use 1 oz per 1000 sq ft, and we recommend using 1-3 gallons of water per 1,000 sq ft. Keep in mind that it is most important to use the correct amount of concentrate and then think of the water as a carrier, so it is better to use a bit more water than to use too little. For example, to treat half your yard, you would use 7.5 oz at a rate no higher than 1 oz per gal of water, but usually it is best to use a rate of 0.3 or 0.5 oz per gal of water with a hose-end sprayer. You can always start with a small area and test using just water to get an idea for how heavily you tend to spray and how fast you walk when spraying.
Unfortunately the state of Connecticut has limited most of the products out there on the market these days that can be shipped into the state without having a license to purchase them. Pest Xpert Home Barrier would be one option of a comparable insecticide spray to Talstar that could be used in CT. An all natural option that works similarly is Essentria IC3 and can cover a wide range of pests and usage areas like the Talstar as well.
Talstar P (Talstar One) is mixed at 1 fl oz per gallon of water. It can be applied safely to ornamentals (nothing edible). While it might kill broad mites as well it is not labeled for them so we cannot recommend it for this use.
Talstar can work great on ants and a variety of insects in the lawn, however the level of control you will see will depend on colony size and activity. You can use the Talstar to drench individual mounds to eliminate them quickly, and the spray the entire yard to help control any new activity that emerges over time. Ground bees are hard to control with sprays as they can often move between the blades of grass and directly into the holes without touching the leaf surface that contains the chemical. While tedious, the best way to eliminate a ground bee nest is to dust it with a product like Delta Dust which will get picked up on their bodies as they move in and out of the hole and get transferred to other bees. Dust in the late evening when they are less active and then give it at least a week or two for you to not see any more activity.
Talstar P (Talstar One) can kill grasshoppers including lubbers.
Talstar should be used early to mid season to control the larvae of crane flies. This application should be made between August-February during times when the ground is not frozen. If treatments are made in March-April, they may only provide supression. You can consult with your local cooperative extension office for details on timing of application in your area specifically.
It is not usually required to use a surfactant with Talstar P.
Talstar P is a liquid concentrate that must be diluted with water and applied using a hand or backpack pressurized sprayer. Talstar should be applied only as a spot or crack and crevice treatment indoors. Please refer to the product label for complete mixing and application instructions, as well as the required protective equipment. If you are applying inside a school, be sure to check with the governing authority on what products are allowed to be used in that environment.
According to the Talstar P product label, "Fire Ant Mound control is optimized by combining broadcast applications that will control foraging workers and newly mated fly-in queens with mound drenches that will control existing colonies. If the soil is not moist, then it is important to irrigate before application or use a high volume application. Apply broadcast treatments at 0.5 to 1 fluid oz. per 1,000 square feet. Use enough finished volume to penetrate thatch or sod. Treat mounds by applying 1 oz of Talstar P per mound in 1 to 2 gallons water by sprinkling the mound until it is wet and treat 3 feet out around the mound. Use the higher volume for mounds larger than 12”. Treat mounds with sufficient force to break their apex and allow the insecticide solution to flow into the ant tunnels. For best results, apply in cool weather (65 - 80 degrees) or in early morning or late evening hours."
Talstar P (Talstar One) is labeled for Japanese Beetles and you can add a product such as Exciter for a quick knockdown for insects. Rotating insecticides is a good idea to prevent resistance, but this normally takes years to happen. Some customers rotate every year or when they start to notice the product may not be working as well as it did at first. It would not hurt to use another active ingredient for your next treatment. It is important that you treat for the insect larvae, the grubs. Dylox 6.2 would be an excellent alternative when treating for grubs that are actively feeding. Please read the product label for application instructions. Arena Granules, Merit Granules or Dominion 2L will work well as a preventative if applied prior to egg hatch. You should check with your local cooperative extension office and speak to the master gardener on staff to establish the best time to put down a preventative treatment in your region. Please take a few moments to review our article on Grub Control also.
