Dormant oil sprays are applied on warm, windless days during the winter to trees and shrubs after they are pruned. That’s when insects susceptible to these sprays are most vulnerable.

Dormant oil applications are not appropriate on citrus or avocado trees as these species don’t enter a winter dormancy. When mixing up spray solutions, mix less than you think you’ll need, as ...

Most of us are accustomed to changing the oil in our cars and even oiling various pieces of mechanical equipment around the home. Ironically, ``oiling'' our trees and other woody plants is still a ...

Once leaves are open, dormant oil sprays still can be used but in far more dilute solutions. To be safe and to ensure efficacy, always read the directions on any spray and follow them carefully.

Now it’s time to spray. Various oils have been used for centuries to control insect and mite pests. Oils remain an important tool to manage certain pest problems (e.g., scales, aphids, mites) on ...

Maybe gardeners aren’t busy in Minnesota or Iowa during the winter, but for gardeners living in the Mojave Desert, it is probably our busiest time of year. I’m asked about spraying dormant ...

Q: When is it too late to use a dormant oil spray? I have a couple of apple trees. Can I use this dormant oil spray on other trees like my maples and my evergreens? If I mix up too much, I want to ...

March is a good month to control insects such as magnolia scale with an application of dormant oil. Dormant oils can be very effective with minimal impact on the environment when used properly.

The primary ingredient (97-99 percent) in an oil spray is a distilled petroleum product; usually paraffin. The balance is an emulsifier that enables the oil to be mixed with water.

The next spray would come when 75% of the petals have fallen, and that spray should be made in the evening after bee activity has stopped. People are also reading… ...

Will dormant oil harm flocking birds? Ask an expert. Published: Jan. 23, 2021, 7:30 a.m. Read product instructions carefully to determine if dormant spray may harm wildlife.