If you own a greenhouse, then you enjoy digging in the soil, planning your gardens, planting and waiting with bated breath for the beautiful show to begin each spring. You look forward to getting into your greenhouse and visualizing the spectrum of rainbow colors, the lush green foliage and the unexpected surprise here and there of the plant that survived from last year. The anticipation of warm weather is exciting, but as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said “Into each life some rain must fall”. Taken literally, a nice rain would be welcome however the rain I am referring to is not a fair weather friend, but the insects and diseases that are sure to come. It is inevitable that those pesky pests show up just as the plants start to mature. They love your plants as much as you do but for entirely different reasons.  Insects are searching for food, water, protection and have the ability in many instances to cause damage before we even realize it.

Diseases thrive in warm moist environments and the damage looks very similar to insect damage. The greenhouse is the perfect environment for not only growing plants but insect and disease problems as well. Once a problem is identified you have to act fast to prevent or get rid of those pests before it damages the plants you love. As you head to the nearest garden center or visit a supplier’s website, you know you will have to choose from a vast array of insecticides lining the shelves. Do I need an insecticide or fungicide? Which one is the right one?  You may spend quite a while reading labels off the shelf with names like Multi Insect & Spider Killer or Triple Action Disease Annihilator. You might ask the neighbors or local nursery what they are using or go from your own experience and buy what you have always bought to kill or prevent pests. Sound familiar?

There is a quick, efficient and effective means of controlling insects and diseases in greenhouses that has been used and tested by professional growers for years and it is called Prescription Treatment Total Release. The Prescription Treatment Total Release product line consists of insecticides and fungicides. One tiny 2 oz. canister will dispense pesticides throughout a greenhouse, covering up to 3,000 square feet of plants. You can pick just one type or you can Space Mix them. Space Mixing is a fancy way of saying you can set more than one canister off at the same time.  There are hundreds of combinations you can pick from; insecticide + insecticide, insecticide+ fungicide, insecticide+ IGR and many more. The Total Release products contain broad spectrum insecticides, miticides, fungicides and insect growth regulators that will prevent and control many types of pests.  Total release products are ready to use, so there is no need to mix, measure and store chemicals, carry and clean heavy spray tanks and they are economically priced. Using Total Release is a cinch, saving you time, money and preventing the headaches of picking which pesticide is right for your plants.

How to use Total Release

The first and very important step is to read and follow all label directions. The total release canister will dispense the entire content of the can in about 2 minutes.  Thorough coverage is achieved by the normal air movement within your greenhouse.  The chemical will move around and throughout the plant foliage due to the small particle size fog produced and the normal ebb and flow movement of the air. Testing confirms that the plant foliage is covered completely with particles in a 60:40 split between the top and bottom of the leaves.

Before Use

Prepare a plant free area to place your canister(s). Clear 3 ft area around where you plan to place the canister once activated. The can should be placed on a stool or overturned pot to raise the can above the top of the plants. If you are treating hanging baskets, an empty basket can be used to hold the canister and elevate it to the hanging basket level. Make sure the can is at room temperature. Close all vents and doors and turn off all fans.

To Treat

Hold the can away from you and depress the actuator until it is locked down. Place the canister in the prepared area and leave the greenhouse.  If you are activating more than one can, start at the far end of the greenhouse opposite from the exit door activating and placing cans as you move across the greenhouse until you have reached the exit door. Once you are finished activating the cans, leave the building and close the door. Your fans should remain off for a minimum of 3 hours or all night if possible. Each Total Release has an REI (Reentry Interval) associated with it. Most of them are 12-24 hours, which means that if you need to re-enter the greenhouse before the 12-24 hours is up, you will need to wear protective equipment outlined on every label under PPE.

After REI

Once the REI is complete, you can re-enter the greenhouse, air it out and your treatment is complete.

Recycling Canisters

Many states allow you to recycle the canisters used for total release once they are empty. See your local regulations for details.

The Total Release Product Line

Attain TR is a broad spectrum insecticide that control aphids, fungus gnats, thrips, whiteflies, mites as well as many other insects. Attain TR can be used on all crop stages from seedling to blooms.

Pyrethrum TR provides fast knockdown of flying insects such as shore flies, whiteflies, and fungus gnats and should be used early in the season on greenhouse ornamentals. It is good for use on transplants and pre-finished plants. Pyrethrum TR is labeled for use on herbs and vegetables.

Tame/Orthene TR is an effective tank mix that is ready to use. Tame/Orthene TR controls a broad range of hard to control insect pests such as aphids, mites, mealy bugs, thrips, scale and many more. Tame/Orthene TR can be used on all crop stages from seedling to bloom.

Duraplex TR contains premixed dual active ingredients for long lasting residual action. Duraplex TR is proven to control insects on all crop stages seedling to bloom. Use Duraplex TR to control aphids, thrips, scale, mealy bug, fungus gnats and many more.

Preclude TR is for long term control of insect populations. Preclude TR is an insect growth regulator, ideal for controlling reproduction of whiteflies, scale, aphids and thrips as well as many other insects. Use Preclude TR early in the season alone or with another Total Release product to prevent insect outbreaks. Preclude TR can be used on all crop stages.

Fungaflor TR is a dry micro total release fungicide. A dry application means there is less chance for the disease to spread.  Fungaflor TR can be used on all crop stages to prevent and control botrytis, pythium, phytophthora, downey mildew, rust and many other diseases. Use Fungflor TR alone or you can space mix it with an insecticide or IGR.