Soil-Applied Insect Control

Soil applied insect control protects bees

What Is It?

Soil-Applied Insect Control is an application focused on controlling insects as they hatch during the Spring, Summer, and even the Fall season. As its name implies, this application goes into the soil of the plant that is being treated. Once in the soil, the product moves into the root system and then into the vascular system and eventually the leaves. The benefit of controlling insects this way is the low impact on beneficial insects like bees and praying mantises. Another advantage is the application is very targeting to the sick plant.

What’s The Difference?

Typically, foliar spray applications, which are applied directly to the leaves of plants, are more effective at knocking down heavy infestations when you catch them mid-season. Many times once an insect has hatched it is difficult to control with a systemic. Systemic or soil-applied insect control takes anywhere from 14 – 90 days to uptake into the plant depending on which product is being used. The timing of soil-applied insect control is very dependent on the insect you are trying to control. Soil-Applied Insect Control is sometimes considered a preventative treatment; these applications are applied before hatching to get a better level of control for the damage insects can cause later in the season.

How Long Does It Take To Work?

Foliar applications work quickly so insects that are presently feeding on your shrubs today should be gone within a week. Soil-applied insect control takes longer to move through the plant and into the leaves or bark where the insects are feeding. Since it takes longer to move into the feeding zone, we will typically apply the systemic in very late winter or very early spring depending on the insect we are trying to control. If the application is done too late into the summer, it is often too late to apply a soil-applied insect control.

Contact us to learn more or to ask one of our arborist about your specific tree or shrub care needs.

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