Warning for gardeners!!!

[1shotwade]

'thought I should put this here to reach as many people as possible.Here's what you need to know.
2 years ago I found a product that kills colorado potato beetles. It is made by Bodine and contains spinosad.It works great!I had some left over so left it in my sprayer. Last year I didn't need it so last week i noticed beetles and used that mix from 2 years ago. This morning ALL my potatoes are dying!
I emailed the company and they responded that"all of the mix should be used up within 48 hours of mixing it as contact with water makes it stronger" I just killed all my crop. They did say to go ahead and dig the crop and wash the potatoes before use.
Don't be a tight wad like I was if you use this product! It's a great product but know ahead of time the risk you take by nor following directions!(I feel so stupid,with good reason)
I hope this info will help someone out there.

Wade

[mzgarden]

ouch. thanks for sharing.

[sdnapier]

So very sorry. What a loss.

[ksfarmer]

I didn't know that either. I just assumed it lost its strength over time.

[Awnry Abe]

I hope all is going to be ok and you'll get your spuds.

And this is certainly a jackass moment for me, because I know nothing about chemistry (but I did catch all 5 seasons of Breaking Bad). But it makes no sense that it became a stronger mix. I could see the reasoning if some of the water evaporated. A different mix, on the other hand, that I completely could understand. One at kills plants and who knows what else...

[DSBlack]

If it does indeed increase in potency with prolonged exposure to water, what is the risk of seriously contaminating your soil (which hopefully has prolonged exposure to water)?

[gweny]

Many chemicals get stronger with water. When I was a kid my mom used some ant killer on the concrete walk way in our back yard. Then it rained. The dog was let out as normal as soon as it stopped... Miraculously the dog survived many more years with half a liver and one kidney.
Don't beat yourself up about the potatoes. Things could've been a whole lot worse.

[1shotwade]

Here's the email I got which says it gets stronger.
Wade

Thank you for your email. =C2=A0Please wash the potatoes as soon as possibl=
e. =C2=A0Diluted concentrates should be used within 24 to 48 hours after mi=
xing as the natural bacteria and things in the water will break it down and=
multiply. =C2=A0I would also recommend to thoroughly clean the sprayer.<br=
>

<br>
Should you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate t=
o contact me.<br>
<br>
Warm Regards,<br>
<br>
Rachelle Janiga<br>
<br>
Consumer Service Specialist

[rambler]

Originally Posted by DSBlack

If it does indeed increase in potency with prolonged exposure to water, what is the risk of seriously contaminating your soil (which hopefully has prolonged exposure to water)?

I see it was answered, but most of this type of stuff breaks down by microbes in the soil over time. It makes sense, if you consider how these materials are broken down over a short time - air and microbes do their thing.

By leaving it set in the tank. The soil microbes can't get to it. I wasn't aware some things like this actually get stronger, good info in this thread. I don't use many insecticides or fungicides or such, mostly I use weed killers only so this is new info to me. Good post.

Paul

[interceptor]

I don't see anything in that reply that says it gets stronger. The way I understand it, the bacteria in the water feed on the chemical and the bacteria multiply. It is likely high concentrations of bacteria that killed the plants.