Note: Trade names include Monterey Garden Insect Spray, Bonide, Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew, Conserve SC, Entrust SC, Elector Baid, Natular, Regard, etc.
But is it safe? Can it cause harm to humans if it’s used while growing cannabis plants?
Important facts about Spinosad
- Organic and generally considered safe and effective
- Low-toxicity to humans, pets, and plants in normal applications
- BUT not allowed for use by commercial growers in several parts of the US and Canada
What’s the deal? Is it safe or not? Why is it banned in some places but not others? Today you’ll discover the answers to all those questions and more.
Spinosad – not for commercial growers!
What is Spinosad?
Spinosad is an organic insecticide created via fermentation by the soil bacteria Saccharopolyspora spinosa. The smell reminds me of wet dirt. It is a mix of two specific compounds: spinosyn A and spinosyn D. Spinosad kills bugs via ingestion or contact by attacking the insect’s nervous system. It can be a good choice for many organic and outdoor growers, because it is toxic to many common cannabis pests, but is less toxic to most beneficial insects and spiders. Targeted insects typically die within 2 days of contact or ingestion.
It’s used as a foliar spray on your plants. The plants are misted with water that contains Spinosad, which stays effective for about 24 hours. However, residue can still be found on plants for weeks or months after it stops working, especially in an indoor growing environment where plants are never washed off or rained on.
Spinosad is also commonly used as flea protection on dogs and cats, since it kills fleas but isn’t harmful to humans or if pets eat it. Some people use it to kill lice as it’s less toxic than the more common permethrin.
