As the warmer weather approaches our thoughts turn towards our garden or orchard, but we are not the only ones.
There are a large number of pests that are intent on invading your garden or fruit orchard to gorge themselves on your plants. So if pests are munching their way through your veggie patch and destroying your fruit trees, or your plants are being destroyed by plant-specific diseases, bring your horticultural paradise back to life with a concentrated pesticide.
The 5 Best Pesticides
- Bonide Annual Tree and Shrub Insect Control
- Compare-N-Save Systemic Tree and Shrub Insect Drench (Our Top Pick)
- Botanicare Hydroguard Bacillus Root Inoculant
- BioAdvanced Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control
- Garden Safe 93179 Neem Oil Extract Concentrate
Our Top Pick for the Best Pesticide
Our top pick for the best pesticide is the Compare-N-Save Systemic Tree and Shrub Insect Drench.
A highly all-round pesticide, this easy-to-use concentrate is an excellent choice to target and destroy all types of pests. If crawling and flying insects are making a tasty meal out of your flowers, shrubs, and fruit trees, this cost-effective pesticide will provide up to 12 months of protection. After just one application, the difference in your garden or orchard will surprise you.
With Compare-N-Save, your trees and shrubs will be able to thrive and stay strong and healthy in a bug-free environment.
Check the price on AmazonTake Control of Pests and Plant-Specific Diseases with a Concentrated Pesticide
Whether your flowers and veggies have just begun to spring to life, or you have a fully grown willow or maple tree, it can be devastating for a gardener to see insects or diseases ravaging their much-loved flowering, fruit, or perennial plants. However, a pesticide will effectively target the effects of these seek-kill-and-destroy creatures and destructive bacteria and stop them in their tracks.
This will give your plants their best chance at survival, allowing them to grow and thrive.
A pesticide is a versatile form of pest control for your garden, lawn, and orchard. You can use it to control, repel, and kill a wide range of crawling or flying insects such as aphids, mites, slugs and snails, caterpillars, moths, borers, and much more. You can also use a pesticide as a broad-spectrum fungicide that controls or suppresses plant-specific diseases.
A pesticide/fungicide can be used on flowers, vegetables, fruit and nut trees, most common tree species, shrubs, and also indoor plants.
How Does a Pesticide Work?
A pesticide works in two ways: by suppressing or altering the life cycle of any pest. And over the long term, repels and kills them. As soon as the insect touches and ingests the pesticide, death can occur immediately. Or over a period of time, depending on the product’s level of concentration and the ratio mix of the pesticide to water.
2 Types of Pesticides
– Drench
A pesticide that acts like a drench is a very effective all-over treatment for any plant. It is the best solution for a large organism such as a tree. The pesticide is to be mixed with water as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Then applied to the soil, near the roots of the tree, just once every 12 months, depending on the level of pest or fungal infection.
As the pesticide spreads throughout the tree’s system from the roots into the branches and leaves, the concentrated formula acts as an overall protective barrier to any future attacks.
– Spray
Pesticides that are designed to be used as a spray may also contain a highly concentrated formula, which needs to be applied just once a year with a garden sprayer. While other pesticides might come in a very handy ready-to-use spray bottle and can be applied more regularly, every 8, which is a great choice for small gardens, greenhouses, and indoor plants.
Natural or Synthetic-Based Pesticides
Just like buying medicine from the local drugstore, you need to know what type of chemicals or ingredients are contained in a pesticide. And whether there are organic-based pesticides that you can use instead of a chemical-based product.
A pesticide can contain a naturally derived ingredient or a synthetically produced substance.
– Imidacloprid
Imidacloprid is an insecticide that was made to mimic nicotine. Naturally, you can find Nicotine in many plants and it is highly toxic to a wide range of insects.
How Does Imidacloprid Work?
Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide, which means that plants take it up from the soil or through the leaves. It spreads throughout the plant’s stems, leaves, fruit, and flowers. Any insect that chews on the treated plants eats the imidacloprid as well. Once the insects eat it, it damages their nervous system and they eventually die.
– Bacillus Subtilis
Another high-performing ingredient that is found in some well-known pesticides or fungicides is Bacillus subtilis, or B. subtilis, which is a naturally occurring bacterium that is commonly recovered from soil, water, air, and decomposing plant material. It is highly effective at controlling and suppressing a wide range of plant-based diseases as it stimulates the plant’s immune system.
Some fungicides are made from a unique, patented strain (QST 713) of the Bacillus subtilis strain, which also works by penetrating and destroying the disease pathogen. It is very beneficial for the environment as it does not harm beneficial insects or wildlife when used according to the label’s directions.
– Gamma-Cyhalothrin
Gamma-Cyhalothrin is a highly effective insecticide that can kill and repel all types of outdoor pests, up to 260 types of insects. It belongs to the pyrethroid family and it is used as a broad-spectrum insecticide for agricultural purposes and can also be used for outdoor residential purposes.
It is highly toxic so it is dangerous to humans and animals. So apply with extra caution and keep children and pets away from the treated area until it is completely dry. And always use gloves and preferably a protective mask while you are applying the product.
– Neem Oil
If you want to use a natural, organic pesticide, why not consider disease and parasite-fighting product that contains Neem oil. Neem oil is a vegetable oil that is extracted from the fruits, bark, and seeds of the Neem tree, which is native to India and other parts of Asia.
Neem is a multi-purpose herb. Because of its exceptional medicinal, healing, and disease-fighting properties, it is extremely beneficial in treating various infections, strengthening the immune system, and effective treatment for skin and hair.
Due to its ability to fight fungal diseases and parasites, Neem oil is a naturally occurring pesticide. It is very safe to use for residential gardening purposes. You can also use it around children and pets and does not lead to any side effects. The oil is light to dark brown in color depending upon its method of processing, and a garlic/sulfur smell. So it may have an unpleasant smell when it is first applied to the plant.
However, the smell will wear off when the product has dried.
5 Best Pesticides – Reviews
1. Bonide Annual Tree and Shrub Insect Control
If your trees or shrubs are under attack from greedy insects such as adelgids, miners, whiteflies, Emerald Ash borers, Asian Longhorned beetles, bronze birch borers, leaf miners, scale, and other listed pest, Bonide Annual Tree and Shrub Insect Control can protect your plants and help them to thrive and grow.
The highly concentrated systemic pesticide liquid drench contains 1.47% Imidacloprid. You apply it to the base of the tree or shrub. It is designed to move throughout the soil into the tree’s or shrub’s root system. Thereby providing all-over protection for up to one year.
As well as protecting the tree or shrub from insects, Bonide Annual Insect control also stimulates new growth in plants that are suffering from insect attack. It also prevents any new infestations.
The concentrate can be used as both a foliar application and soil drenching application around all types of trees: pine, ash, laurel, and all types of shrubs. The concentrate will also not wash off in the rain or when you are watering your plants.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Systemic concentrate formula
- Extremely effective
- Year-long protection for a wide range of trees and shrubs
- Can target a good range of insects
- Easy to use
- Dual-action: protects tree and shrubs and stimulates new growth
Cons
- Not recommended for aphids
- Do not use concentrate on linden trees or fruit trees
2. Compare-N-Save Systemic Tree and Shrub Insect Drench
An extremely cost-effective pest-control drench, the Compare-N-Save Systemic Tree and Shrub Insect Drench is an excellent choice. You can use it on most outdoor trees as well as listed fruit and nut trees. So if aphids or mealybugs are feasting on your prize fruit trees or emerald ash borers or caterpillars are destroying your willow, birch, or maple tree, the Compare-N-Save drench will target and eliminate them.
The concentrate contains 1.47% Imidacloprid and it is very easy to apply, mix the drenching solution as instructed with water. Just one application to the base of the tree and pour it evenly around the base of the tree or shrub. Once the liquid is absorbed into the roots of the tree, it is distributed throughout the branches’ leaves. It will provide all-year protection. Also, it will not wash off in the rain or while you are watering your garden.
You can also use the product to treat fungal infections in trees. It works effectively on fruit trees such as Apple, Loquat, Oriental Pear, Pecan, Crabapple, Mayhaw, Pear, and Quince trees. It can also control a wide range of insects such as aphids, borers, mealybugs, leaf miners, whiteflies, Japanese beetles, and thrips. Do not apply this product, by any application method, to linden, basswood, or other Tilia species.
Also, make sure that the product does not come into contact with plants in bloom especially if bees are foraging in the treatment area. Application to heavily infested trees may not prevent their eventual loss due to existing pest damage. People and pets may re-enter treated areas after the spray has dried.
Pros
- Highly effective
- Excellent value for money
- Provides 12-month protection
- Concentrated formula
- Can use it to protect a wide range of shrubs and trees, including fruit trees
- Can use to control a wide range of insects
- Also, it can be used to control fungus
- Dual-action: protects tree and shrubs and stimulates new growth
Cons
- Pets should not use the treated area until the product has dried
- Do not use on Linden, Basswood, or other Tilia species
3. Botanicare Hydroguard Bacillus Root Inoculant
If your veggies, flowering plants, fruit trees, or shrubs are wilting and dying due to disease or fungus, then take action with Botanicare Hydroguard Bacillus Root Inoculant. This highly concentrated new formula contains an isolated form of bacillus bacteria known as bacillus amyloliquefaciens, which is a powerful fungicide that is highly effective at stopping harmful garden diseases.
There is no need to watch in horror as root rot destroys your prized flowers or much-anticipated avocado plants shrivel up and die. This fungicide is specifically designed to treat common diseases that start at the plant’s roots like black spot, brown rot, powdery mildew, or fruit scab.
From seed to harvest, Hydroguard will maintain the ideal soil environment surrounding the root system so that your plants grow up strong and healthy and will develop a natural resistance against garden diseases. With just one application, your plants will be renewed and will thrive as nature intended.
Hydroguard can be used to protect roses, vegetables, fruits, flowers, houseplants, trees, and shrubs. It can be applied alone or with your normal fertilizer or plant food. As well as adding Hydroguard to potting soil, you can also use it for transplanting seedlings and hydroponic gardening.
Besides its high performance at controlling disease, this fungicide is a safe, environmentally-friendly product that does not contain any chemicals and will not harm beneficial insects or wildlife when used according to label directions. As it is an OMRI-listed product, it can be used by organic gardeners and does not pose a risk to bees or beneficial insects.
Hydroguard is very easy to use. Just apply it when you water your plants, before foliage development or at the first sign of foliage disease infection. It produces no foul odors that are common with beneficial bacteria products and as it has a low dilution rate, a little bit goes a long way. Hydroguard lasts up to 2 years, but it has to be used within 6 months once you open the bottle. This product is also available in a 5-pack which is ideal for larger gardens or orchards.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Treats a wide range of plant-based diseases
- Promotes a healthy root system
- Can be applied to potting soil and used for transplanting and hydroponics
- Highly concentrated formula
- Very effective
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor plants
- Can also use it on a large range of plants and trees
- Ideal for organic gardening
- Also comes in a 5-pack
Cons
- Has to be used within 6 months of opening the bottle
- Some of the bottles did not have an expiry date
4. BioAdvanced Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control
BioAdvanced Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control is a highly effective pesticide at controlling pests and will protect your garden landscape and orchard all season long.
Your garden will soon become a pest-free haven as BioAdvanced kills 25+ insects like aphids, blackfly, citrus leafminer, oriental beetle grubs, leafhoppers, mealybugs, foliage feeding thrips, whiteflies, and Japanese beetles, as well as preventing new infestations.
A highly versatile pesticide, BioAdvanced has been specially formulated for use on over 100 fruits, vegetables, and citrus plants, apple, peach, cherry, and plum trees. Tomatoes, peppers, carrots, cucumbers, and herbs. Fruits such as melons, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and grapes. You do not have to worry about the pesticide washing away from your plants in wet weather as it has rainproof protection. Once the pesticide has been applied to the soil at the base of a plant, it is absorbed quickly and will not wash off.
Perfect for gardeners who do not want to spend their precious gardening time constantly spraying a pesticide to control pests, BioAdvanced is a systemic pesticide that prevents insect infestation for up to 2 months. The pesticide is very easy to use and treats an area of up to 640-square-feet and 9 fruit trees.
BioAdvanced contains Imidacloprid which has moderate toxicity if ingested and low toxicity when it comes in contact with skin, so apply with extra caution. Do not allow children or pets to go into the treated area until it is completely dry. For the product to work effectively, apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you use the product on fruit or nut trees, make sure that you follow the instructions as to when you can harvest your produce after the last application. For best results, apply the pesticide before the insect population is high. And for vegetable plants, apply the product on all plant surfaces where insects are active.
If your plants are suffering from an extra high level of infestation, you may need to apply the product more than once a year, but do not apply more than five times per growing season. Although BioAdvanced works well on most soils, sandy soil will cause the pesticide to drain away and lose its potency against insects.
The pesticide is also available in a 32-ounce ready-to-spray bottle. For more information about the Fruit, Citrus, Vegetable Insect Control concentrate, visit the BioAdvanced website.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Specially formulated for use on over 100 listed fruits, vegetables, and citrus plants
- Kills 25+ listed insects
- Provides effective 2-month protection against pests
- Prevents new infestations
- Rainproof protection
- Very easy to use
- Available in a ready-to-spray bottle
Cons
- Large infestations will require more than one application
- Limitations on how often the pesticide can be used on fruit and nut trees and vegetable plants
- Not ideal for sandy soil
- Children and pets have to be kept away until the product has dried
5. Garden Safe 93179 Neem Oil Extract Concentrate
If your flowers and vegetables are under attack from fungal diseases, then fight back with the Garden Safe 93179 Neem Oil Extract Concentrate. If you are concerned about using a pesticide product that contains toxic synthetic chemicals in your garden, the Garden Safe concentrate is an excellent choice for the organic gardener. It is OMRI-listed as a certified organic product.
As its active ingredient is the naturally occurring Neem oil, Garden Safe can effectively protect your plants while also being pet and livestock-friendly.
One of the best aspects of this concentrated fungicide is that it contains three products in one bottle. As well as acting as a fungicide to control black spot, powdery mildew, and other fungal diseases, Garden Safe also works as an insecticide, which can eliminate a wide range of common garden pests including adult insects and their eggs and larvae. It works as a miticide, and even as a dormant spray.
You can use it on roses, flowers, houseplants, ornamentals, fruits, and vegetables, right up to the day of harvest. Do not apply the fungicide to sensitive plant species, stressed plants, or newly transplanted materials before root establishment and spot testing. Garden Safe needs to be applied in calm weather when rain is not predicted for the next 24 hours otherwise the fungicide can blow or wash away from the treatment area.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Three garden products in one bottle
- Very effective
- OMRI-listed as a certified organic product
- Controls black spot, rust, and powdery mildew, insects, and mites
- Ideal for outdoor and indoor plants
- Pet and livestock-friendly
- Easy to use
Cons
- Do not use on sensitive plant species
- Cannot be used on stressed plants or newly transplanted plants
- Can take a while to work on some pests
- Not to be sprayed on roses while bees are active
Our Top Pick for the Best Pesticide
Our top pick for the best pesticide is the Compare-N-Save Systemic Tree and Shrub Insect Drench.
A highly all-round pesticide, this easy-to-use concentrate is an excellent choice to target and destroy all types of pests. If crawling and flying insects are making a tasty meal out of your flowers, shrubs, and fruit trees, this cost-effective pesticide will provide up to 12 months of protection. After just one application, the difference in your garden or orchard will surprise you.
With Compare-N-Save, your trees and shrubs will be able to thrive and stay strong and healthy in a bug-free environment.
Check the price on Amazon
