Biological Control #4 Bacillus Thuringiensis israelensis

A

Arkady2300

Member

• Nov 1, 2011

• #1

Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis (Bti) is a group of bacteria used as biological control agents for larvae stages of certain Dipterans. Bti produces toxins which are effective in killing various species of mosquitoes, fungus gnats, and blackflies, while having almost no effect on other organisms. Indeed this is one of the major advantages of B. thuringiensis products in general is that they are thought to affect few non-target species. (from wikipedia)

You can apply mosquito dunks to your reservoirs or compost teas.

Commerical formulation are found in:

 

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Microbeman

The Logical Gardener

ICMag Donor

Veteran

• Nov 2, 2011

• #2

I would want to test the effects on compost tea organisms before recommending adding this to compost tea. I do not say this because I believe they would be actively effected by the Thuringiensis israelensis spores but I have found that adding anything to CT can have a 'smothering' effect causing die off or dormancy..

I have used Thuringiensis israelensis spores in the form of Vectobac (less expensive form in bulk) to very effectively control mosquitos. When the larvae eat the spore, it kills them. It does not effect other larvae like dragon fly which eat mosquitos.

 

guest2012y

Living with the soil

Veteran

• Nov 3, 2011

• #3

Ok..who's using Actinovate for Fungus Gnats? I hear rumors!

 

silver hawaiian

Active member

Veteran

• Nov 11, 2011

• #4

CC1

Not for fungus gnats, but I just picked some up tonight to help in my PM plight..

Fingers crossed..

 

rrog

Active member

Veteran

• Nov 11, 2011

• #5

The BTI won't reproduce, as a side note. Predatory Nematodes like Steinernema feltiae will reproduce, unless the BTI bacteria is present. They do a hell of a job in combination, but neither will reproduce if used simultaneously.

Also BTI won't combat root aphids.

 

Microbeman

The Logical Gardener

ICMag Donor

Veteran

• Nov 11, 2011

• #6

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Last edited: Nov 13, 2011

rrog

Active member

Veteran

• Nov 13, 2011

• #7

I like the concept of using beauveria bassiana fungus from either Botanigard or Naturalis, but WOW is that stuff expensive. Worse than nematodes, even

 

guest2012y

Living with the soil

Veteran

• Nov 13, 2011

• #8

Microbeman said:

Actinovate is Streptomyces lydicus (bacteria). I'd be very interested to know if it is effect against PM

Click to expand...

Well you're in luck. I just found some PM near my cool air intake and I have some Actinovate. Trial test this week,I'll let you know what becomes of it. I'm assuming it will be one of those things where continued applications are needed every few days..who knows.

 

GeorgeSmiley

Remembers

Veteran

• Nov 13, 2011

• #9

Edited

 

Last edited: Nov 13, 2011

guest2012y

Living with the soil

Veteran

• Nov 13, 2011

• #10

.....

 

Last edited: Nov 13, 2011

Microbeman

The Logical Gardener

ICMag Donor

Veteran

• Nov 13, 2011

• #11

Might be good to split off to a new thread so people can use this one to discuss Bt.

 

GeorgeSmiley

Remembers

Veteran

• Nov 13, 2011

• #12

.....

 

guest2012y

Living with the soil

Veteran

• Nov 13, 2011

• #13

......

 

M

MacGyver420

• Nov 13, 2011

• #14

its in gnatrol as well; at a much higher percentage and in a more water soluble form, than the "mosquito dunks"

watering with gnatrol @ 1 tblspoon per gallon every other day for a few weeks WILL 100% eliminate all fungus gnats; as long as you treat every single pot; and leave no standing water ANYWHERE!

no more gnats at all; the stuff works but only if you use it right! i cannot stress that enough;

i had little to no success with the dunks; i just dont think there is enough bti in there.

 

rrog

Active member

Veteran

• Nov 13, 2011

• #15

Did you soak the dunks in warm water for 12 hours?

 

A

Arkady2300

Member

• Nov 15, 2011

• #16

I love all the edited posts. Who knew that BTi could be so controversial. sorry. Nobody even mentioned dragonfly mortality which keeps me from using it outside.

if you at gnatrol you might want to consider growing sundews they really love themselves some fungus gnats.