Organic fruit, vegetable and ornamental producers can now apply the physically-acting pest control treatment Majestik, following its formal approval under the Organic Certified Input Scheme.
Offering control of a broad-spectrum of sedentary pests including mites, aphids, thrips, whitefly and leafhoppers, Majestik has been reviewed by the Pesticides Safety Directorate who regard it as exempt from registration. “It works by smothering and blocking the breathing holes of insects,” said Alan Horgan, technical officer at Certis, marketer of the product.
Horgan said Majestik has low operator hazard and low environmental impact, so is ideal for organic and conventional systems. “It delivers useful control where beneficial insects become out-numbered by pests. It is also IPM compatible with beneficials able to be safely re-introduced once Majestik is dry on the foliage, aiding longer-term pest control,” he explained.
Due to strict usage guidelines in organic systems, growers must obtain permission from their organic certification body prior to use as they operate a case-by-case justification for treatment.
Horgan added that at application, thorough spray coverage is important because Majestik only works when in direct contact with the target pest. “See the pest, cover the pest, kill the pest,” he said.
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