Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
evidence that carbaryl is carcinogenic or causes birth defects,
and 85% of carbaryl is excreted by humans within 24
hours.
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Carbaryl has a half-life of 7 to 14 days in sandy
loam soil, and the manufacturer (GardenTech) states that it is
not absorbed by the plant.
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Therefore, if used according to
label directions, and produce is carefully washed, it should be
safe. According to numerous studies, “Carbaryl breaks down
readily and experience shows it readily decomposes on plants,
in soil and water to less toxic byproducts. Accumulation in
animal tissues and biomagnification of residues in food chains
with carbaryl and its metabolites does not occur.”
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Certainly, the preponderance of science says that carbaryl is
perfectly safe when used according to label directions. It
definitely takes care of cucumber beetles much more
effectively than my organic approaches. Nevertheless,
common sense and the fact that it is a neurotoxin that takes a
lot longer than most botanical insecticides to break down
would dictate that it be used only as a last resort. All in all, if
I were to use a synthetic insecticide, I would use carbaryl in
preference to the others available. And, in fact, that is what I
used before switching to organic gardening.
Animal Pests
So far, in this chapter, when discussing pests we've largely
been talking about insects. But one ignores larger pests, such
as raccoons, rabbits, and deer, at his or her farm's peril. For
many years, my farm ran along just fine with only minor
damage from moles who ate strawberries and ripe tomatoes,
and raccoons who occasionally stole an ear of corn. But one
year, my entire crop of beans, sweet potatoes, and Brussels
sprouts was wiped out in just one night by a herd of hungry
