Imidacloprid and bifenthrin

 

Fipronil == Top Choice gives 4 months of control

 

Awesome product, but just want the OP to know Top Choice is not available to the consumer since it is a restricted product. I have achieved good control with bifenthrin apps, alternated with imadicloprid. Both are available in granular and liquid formulations. I once got a really good knockdown with a single bifen application. Had many dead ones in the lawn the days following that application. Was very satisfying

 

I have mole crickets in my neighborhood. I did some research and I found an article from Clemson on mole cricket control.

Basically bifen can be applied monthly to kill what you have now but the larger ones can and do live through that treatment.

Really you make your money in June/July by applying Imidacloprid and killing the babies that have hatched.

 

That's good to know. Thanks!

 

Fipronil controls firs ants for 6 to 8 months (what they call season long) and mole crickets for 4 months. I apply Bifenthrin and Imidacloprid every 2 months. Bifen is the quick kill and doesn’t last long in the lawn. Imidicloprid is a slower kill but lasts longer.

I apply the Fipronil in early March to start the ant control. I then apply Bifen and Imid the first of June and August for mole crickets, grubs, chinch bugs, and provides additional ant control. It is best to not solely use the same chemicals since resistance can be developed so that is why I use 3 different chemicals.

Which is better, Fipronil or Bifen/Imid for mole crickets? IMO its comparing apples and oranges. In Louisiana, fire ants are bad pretty much year round so Fipronil is a plus and you get long mole cricket control. Bifen/Imid controls ants, chinch bugs, grubs, and mole crickets. However, if you use the labeled rates, you can only put down 2 applications which is only about 4 months.

 

I do monthly Bifen XTS and quarterly Imidacloprid applications. Those two control most of my insect problems (mole crickets, webworms, ants, and mosquitos). Top Choice is fantastic for fire ants but here in Florida it has to be applied by a licensed applicator. I think you could find Fipronil online but I figure there is a reason for the restrictions.

 

Awesome i just picked up a gallon of Bifen XTS and a gallon of Imidacloprid and will do the same. I was always using regular Bifen but not spraying in intervals like you are. Also XTS is 3x plus the price of IT due to the potency in it. Wow you only use .25 oz per 1k with XTS , this stuff is strong.

Do you happen to have a calendar for scheduling you can share since you are in Florida like me in your journal. Thanks for all your info it is invaluable as i no longer use Trugreen as they messed up my Empire Zoysia.

 

XTS is oil-based and can only be applied outside. It is more concentrated but the rates are lower. I think it's about the same AI per 1000sf. My neighbor used to use Bifen I/T and still had mole cricket issues. I always chocked it up "operator error" but maybe the XTS just does better.

I don't set a regular date for reapplication. I just watch it in Greencast. My applications are probably more like 5 weeks vs. 4 weeks because I try to time them with my PGR apps and chose to go a little long rather than a little early. I'm stressed right now because I can't seem to get my GDD threshold page to load on Greencast and I have already started PGR on my Empire Zoysia.

 

XTS is oil-based and can only be applied outside. It is more concentrated but the rates are lower. I think it's about the same AI per 1000sf. My neighbor used to use Bifen I/T and still had mole cricket issues. I always chocked it up "operator error" but maybe the XTS just does better.

I don't set a regular date for reapplication. I just watch it in Greencast. My applications are probably more like 5 weeks vs. 4 weeks because I try to time them with my PGR apps and chose to go a little long rather than a little early. I'm stressed right now because I can't seem to get my GDD threshold page to load on Greencast and I have already started PGR on my Empire Zoysia.

I have been using Bifen IT for 2 years and this year Mole crickets were going crazy for my Zoysia. So i found your journal and noticed you use Bifen XTS so I picked up a gallon ASAP. I always thought Talstar FMC was better but I found out it is the same thing under a different name. I would hope Bifen XTS is better because it is oil based and would perform better with Florida rain i would assume.

 

Be careful with the Imidacloprid and don't spray any bushes or flowers as it is very bad for local bees and pollinators. I make sure to only spray it on the grass.

 

Thanks yes i will make sure i am extremely careful as I have Avocado and Mango trees that I see pollinators on them most of the time.

 

Bifen must be watered in immediately to get good control of mole crickets and other subsurface pest. So you don’t get the benefit of killing thatch and other surface pest. imdicloprid for subsurface and bifen for surface is an excellent strategy for pest control.

 

That explains why Bifen IT would not work for me in liquid form when i would spray. I would spray it and let dry on the sod thinking watering in would diminish its strength. I would normally wait a couple days to water it in. Thanks for the info as i applied it last night and watered it in afterwards.

I also buy Bifen LP and just spread it on the grass and let the sprinklers activate that the next morning when they come on.

 

With CEC chronically low in Florida soil, I'm trying to improve and protect healthy microbes. I'm told pesticides are problematic so I'm trying to minimize their use. Does anybody have experience with nematodes? Steinernema scapterisci and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora are purportedly the best for mole crickets but I've been unable to find Steinernema scapterisci. Today I am introducing Steinernema carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steirnema feltiae, 250million of each, on my acre. Fingers crossed.