Last month ( mid June ) I had applied Seven dust to my grapevine
due to Japanese Beatle infestation. I applied by hand ( gloved ).
I grabbed a handfull at a time and just tossed it across the whole
of the foliage and grape clusters. Here it is mid July and I still
see some rather rich deposits of the dust sitting on the clusters.
As these grapes ( type unknown ) are reaching ripeness they will
no doubt be harvested within the next 2 weeks to make wine. Will
the residual Seven dust pose any health threats at this point ? I've
tried rinsing with a garden hose but to no avail.

TIA

Paul

On Jul 20, 1:24 pm, "Paul J. Dudley"
wrote:
Last month ( mid June ) I had applied Seven dust to my grapevine
due to Japanese Beatle infestation. I applied by hand ( gloved ).
I grabbed a handfull at a time and just tossed it across the whole
of the foliage and grape clusters. Here it is mid July and I still
see some rather rich deposits of the dust sitting on the clusters.
As these grapes ( type unknown ) are reaching ripeness they will
no doubt be harvested within the next 2 weeks to make wine. Will
the residual Seven dust pose any health threats at this point ? I've
tried rinsing with a garden hose but to no avail.

TIA

Paul

Sevin is pretty low toxicity and the chemical has probably largely
broken down in a months exposure to sunlight, but I wouldn't want to
eat anything that had "rich deposits" of residue without making sure
it was washed well. If reasonably high pressure from a hose won't
remove it, you may have to pick the grapes and then do a hand scrub in
water to get it all off. Rinse well after that and you should be
fine.

Stephen

On Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:38:05 -0700, shbailey wrote:

On Jul 20, 1:24 pm, "Paul J. Dudley"
wrote:
Last month ( mid June ) I had applied Seven dust to my grapevine
due to Japanese Beatle infestation. I applied by hand ( gloved ).
I grabbed a handfull at a time and just tossed it across the whole
of the foliage and grape clusters. Here it is mid July and I still
see some rather rich deposits of the dust sitting on the clusters.
As these grapes ( type unknown ) are reaching ripeness they will
no doubt be harvested within the next 2 weeks to make wine. Will
the residual Seven dust pose any health threats at this point ? I've
tried rinsing with a garden hose but to no avail.

TIA

Paul

Sevin is pretty low toxicity and the chemical has probably largely
broken down in a months exposure to sunlight, but I wouldn't want to
eat anything that had "rich deposits" of residue without making sure
it was washed well. If reasonably high pressure from a hose won't
remove it, you may have to pick the grapes and then do a hand scrub in
water to get it all off. Rinse well after that and you should be
fine.

Stephen

Thank you Stephen. I will take your advice. That way I'll get to meet
each individual berry on a more personal level ( before I squash it ).
I did have a bumper crop this year and it would be a shame to kill rats
and other varmin by having to trash them. I suppose a mildly soapy water
and a 3 inch paint brush to scrub with just might be in order.

= Paul =

I would try it on a per cluster basis first to hopefully avoid dealing
with each berry. If you use soap, make sure you rinse it really well
or you will end up with another chemical problem. One of the produce
washes (Fit, etc.) might be a worthwhile option, though more expensive
than soap.

Stephen



Thank you Stephen. I will take your advice. That way I'll get to meet
each individual berry on a more personal level ( before I squash it ).
I did have a bumper crop this year and it would be a shame to kill rats
and other varmin by having to trash them. I suppose a mildly soapy water
and a 3 inch paint brush to scrub with just might be in order.

= Paul =

On Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:05:49 -0700, shbailey wrote:

I would try it on a per cluster basis first to hopefully avoid dealing
with each berry. If you use soap, make sure you rinse it really well
or you will end up with another chemical problem. One of the produce
washes (Fit, etc.) might be a worthwhile option, though more expensive
than soap.

Stephen



Thank you Stephen. I will take your advice. That way I'll get to meet
each individual berry on a more personal level ( before I squash it ).
I did have a bumper crop this year and it would be a shame to kill rats
and other varmin by having to trash them. I suppose a mildly soapy water
and a 3 inch paint brush to scrub with just might be in order.

= Paul =

Hey again Stephen. I found the Sevin web site: www.gardentech.com.
Since the dust was given to me in a mason jar with no other instructions
other that " grab handfulls and just toss it across the whole of the
vine " I wasn't even sure at first who made it.

Apparently for grapes the preharvest interval is 7 days. That sounds
promissing. Their FAQ mentions:

Q : How does Sevin control insects?

A: Sevin has a dual mode-of-action - it works on contact and through
ingestion. Sevin is non-systemic, which means it does not penetrate
plant tissue - it stays on the outside. After controlling the
targeted pest, Sevin is easily broken down in the environment.

I am a little more optimistic now, and will rely on washing them pretty
bunches..

Thanks again for your responses,

= Paul =