Using Organic Spinosad Products

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Photo Courtesy Planet Natural
Spinosad breaks down in sunlight, so late-day applications will better expose insects to the toxins.

This article is part of our Organic Pest Control Series, which includes articles on attracting beneficial insects, controlling specific garden pests, and using organic pesticides.

What Is Spinosad?

A biological pesticide, spinosad is based on the bacterium Saccharopolyspora spinosa, which was discovered in 1982 in an old Caribbean rum still. It was soon found that these bacteria produce a substance that works as a neurotoxin in many (but not all) insects. Susceptible insect species that are exposed to spinosad become excited to the point of exhaustion, stop eating immediately, and die within two days.

  • Published on May 7, 2013
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