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 ...

Several readers have asked about the timing of dormant oil. This traditional technique involves spraying dormant fruit trees with horticultural oil to smother persistent pests, such as aphids and ...

Spraying dormant oil now controls bugs for coming year Spray dormant oil on trees to control borers. (Bob Morris) ...

It is important to prune first to avoid wasting spray on wood that is being discarded. Also, after pruning the tree will be less dense and you are more likely to get total dormant oil coverage of ...

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 … ...

Q: You seem to be a “fan” of recommending spraying dormant oil as a pesticide. Is this product good to spray on most trees and shrubs that typically grow around ...

This horticultural oil is often called dormant oil, because it must be used before leaf or flower buds start to open but when temperatures are predicted to stay above freezing for 24 hours.

Dormant oil spray must be applied before the leaves or flowers show themselves and when temperatures are in the 40s or above with no rain for 24 hours. Minimally, two and ideally three applications ...