tree & shrub spraying applications

[birdturd9726]

looking to get into tree and shrub spraying as i have became dec cert for pesticides. just trying to find out how many apps you guys do and of what. I know it depends on the area, im just looking for a little pre-knowledge. i am starting extensive research into the GDD of the species in my area to figure out the best IPM practices and precautionary applications to use. If someone would happen to have a breakdown of what applications they use and to treat which species that would be great. Also let me know what equipment you are using, as i will be starting with a few backpack sprayers and staying with low line trees/shrubs until i have the customer base to warrant a nice skid sprayer. Any help woudl be great. Thanks

[garydale]

See the attachment:

[birdturd9726]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. aNYONE ELSE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO SHARE? oops caps.

[americanlawn]

I hope garydale doesn't try to sell all these things to everybody - reminds me of my ChemScape days when we sprayed all woody ornamentals 4 times per year with five pesticides (2 fungicides, 2 insecticides, and Kelthane for mites). We offered spring & fall feeding too (mostly root injection).

He did not mention feeding trees in the spring. He also called for dormant oil in the spring. Most times, it's best to spray dormant oil in the fall. Maples for sure, cuz damage can ocurr on maples if you spray in the spring with oils.

Not trying to brag, but I was in on the "ground floor" with ChemScape in the late 70's. Helped in research with hort oils & micronutrients. Summer oils can be applied when needed, but normally at a 2% rate. Spring/fall oils can be applied up to a 4% rate, depending.

My company "sprays" when needed -- target pests only. TruGreen here tries to sell many sprays which are noi needed. Example: spraying for spider mites on maples.

IPM is the way to go. ie - don't spray unless you have a target pest. Otherwise your're ripping off the customer.

[phasthound]

I hope garydale doesn't try to sell all these things to everybody - reminds me of my ChemScape days when we sprayed all woody ornamentals 4 times per year with five pesticides (2 fungicides, 2 insecticides, and Kelthane for mites). We offered spring & fall feeding too (mostly root injection).

He did not mention feeding trees in the spring. He also called for dormant oil in the spring. Most times, it's best to spray dormant oil in the fall. Maples for sure, cuz damage can ocurr on maples if you spray in the spring with oils.

Not trying to brag, but I was in on the "ground floor" with ChemScape in the late 70's. Helped in research with hort oils & micronutrients. Summer oils can be applied when needed, but normally at a 2% rate. Spring/fall oils can be applied up to a 4% rate, depending.

My company "sprays" when needed -- target pests only. TruGreen here tries to sell many sprays which are noi needed. Example: spraying for spider mites on maples.

IPM is the way to go. ie - don't spray unless you have a target pest. Otherwise your're ripping off the customer.

Amen to that Larry.

Monitoring and making intelligent decisions for control is critical for a successful IPM program. A program that relies on cocktail sprays will create more problems than solutions and end up loosing clients.

[humble1]

looking to get into tree and shrub spraying as i have became dec cert for pesticides. just trying to find out how many apps you guys do and of what. I know it depends on the area, im just looking for a little pre-knowledge. i am starting extensive research into the GDD of the species in my area to figure out the best IPM practices and precautionary applications to use. If someone would happen to have a breakdown of what applications they use and to treat which species that would be great. Also let me know what equipment you are using, as i will be starting with a few backpack sprayers and staying with low line trees/shrubs until i have the customer base to warrant a nice skid sprayer. Any help woudl be great. Thanks

You might check into the mauget injection system, you can do fert, micros, insects, etc. No tank costs, just a drill and hammer, plus you can treat close to water and on windy days. You could offer a program where you come out for X and if there is a problem you treat it for X per tree.

[lilmarvin4064]

You might check into the mauget injection system, you can do fert, micros, insects, etc. No tank costs, just a drill and hammer, plus you can treat close to water and on windy days. You could offer a program where you come out for X and if there is a problem you treat it for X per tree.

Mauget is decent at best. Look into the Arborjet systems, if you need to treat larger trees. Treeage can control pests for 3 years! Then, only need re-treatment every 5 years.

[americanlawn]

phasthound -- It's kinda like going to a doctor. Sometimes he might prescibe expensive medicines, but normally the most valuable commodity is his experienced advice. Our yellow page ads state "We diagnose before we treat" -- same thing.

BTW phasthoud -- We are now seeing many nice dark green lawns cuz of your fert. Nice job! Your organic fert combo has shown proven results around here. Thanks. :usflag:

[garydale]

Hi Bird..
Thought I would point out that the Tree/Shrub attachment is an education piece, developed because the average homeowner thinks one treatment last all year and cures everything.
When you need to explain the programs you develope for your operation it will help you show: time of year, probable targets and need for followup etc.
They all begin with "inspect" and IPM is the future, so you will be customising each clients programs.
New york is a tough state when it comes to pesticide use.
Good Luck

[phasthound]

Hi Bird..
Thought I would point out
They all begin with "inspect" and IPM is the future, so you will be customising each clients programs.


Been practicing IPM for over 15 years. It's a great step in the right direction. Much better than calendar timed treatments. However, the focus is still on controlling pests rather than Plant Health Care. Improving plant and soil health, now that's the future.

[phasthound]

phasthound -- It's kinda like going to a doctor. Sometimes he might prescibe expensive medicines, but normally the most valuable commodity is his experienced advice. Our yellow page ads state "We diagnose before we treat" -- same thing.

BTW phasthoud -- We are now seeing many nice dark green lawns cuz of your fert. Nice job! Your organic fert combo has shown proven results around here. Thanks. :usflag:

Thanks Larry, I appreciate your comment.

[birdturd9726]

Hi Bird..
Thought I would point out that the Tree/Shrub attachment is an education piece, developed because the average homeowner thinks one treatment last all year and cures everything.
When you need to explain the programs you develope for your operation it will help you show: time of year, probable targets and need for followup etc.
They all begin with "inspect" and IPM is the future, so you will be customising each clients programs.
New york is a tough state when it comes to pesticide use.
Good Luck

Been practicing IPM for over 15 years. It's a great step in the right direction. Much better than calendar timed treatments. However, the focus is still on controlling pests rather than Plant Health Care. Improving plant and soil health, now that's the future.

thanks for all this info. I am looking to add these applications to my services, of course practicing IPM and treating only what has to be. I am trying to figure out the pricing i can charge each application. garydale, please let me know what you are charging for an application per 1000 sq ft or per gal. I figured out my cost per gal and per 1000 sq ft, but i want to maximize my profits with the going rate. I have an idea what im going to charge, but want to double check. Also if you can give me some insight on the pricing for the following as well, along with any other services i could ad too! Thanks

I am interested in developing a pricing guide for spraying chemical for the rest of this season. Is there a rule of thumb that you go by, or just time + material. Right not i have my costs per 1000 sqft but no specific formulas to calculate the properties. My fert prices are all over the place. I cover my costs and am making good money, but their is no steady pricing, some lawns i make a killing and some not too much.

5-step fert program (lebanon)
ornamental bed spraying (surflan/roundup)
driveway crack spraying (roundup)
turf broadleaf treatments (speedzone)
deep root fertilization
rose spray

[wyattstailoredlawns]

What are people charging for shrub insect control?

[americanlawn]

Too many variables bud. On the safe side, I'd say $2 per minute (product included).

Phasthound -- can I buy a couple gallons of mosquito barrier/garlic mosquito spray? (we're getting requests already, and it sure worked fine last year). Thanks. PM me when you get a chance.
:waving:

What are people charging for shrub insect control?

[phasthound]

Too many variables bud. On the safe side, I'd say $2 per minute (product included).

Phasthound -- can I buy a couple gallons of mosquito barrier/garlic mosquito spray? (we're getting requests already, and it sure worked fine last year). Thanks. PM me when you get a chance.
:waving:

Sure Larry.

I just got this comment from a residential customer,
"We will be getting that spray every month through the season!!!! Amazing! We had a huge amount of stinkbugs before and barely any now. Seems it works for everything. We also told ALL of our neighbors so hopefully you will be getting more business."


When we make the application, we don't add anything else to it. Don't see a need to. Adding this service has helped our bottom line.