[Dantheman]

found this today not sure if it would work.

http://www.growtheplanet.com/en/learn/article/442/decoction-and-fermented-extract-of-horsetail

[Aunt Sally]

Well, that article says it's useful for fungal diseases so I would not think it any good for pea moth.

I'm certain it's nor a legal product under EU laws either 

[DD.]

I agree with Auntie on both counts.

We're talking an insect here and need an insecticide, not a fungicide. However, as I've got an endless supply of Mare's Tail, if only.................

[pigguns]

I must admit to giving mine a dose of Provado Ultimate Bug Killer if I deem it necessary. (It probably will, this year).

I noticed in Private eye yesterday that this is one of the ones they suspect is doing the damage to the bees and the EU wants to ban as it contains Thiacloprid; a neonicotinoid the soil association recommends avoiding.

[m1ckz]

hmmmm guess im off to get some provado today   ty all

[icbradley]

Not sure if this is off topic but if you cover with environmesh how do the pollinators get to the flowers?  No pollinators no pods surely?

Ian

[mumofstig]

Peas are self pollinating 

[icbradley]

Thanks Mum.  I should have searched the suggested threads at the bottom of the page.  It has been asked before and someone has covered peas for the duration and it works so I will leave the environmesh on.  Saves me another job to do.

[icbradley]

An update.  Harvested my peas and not a pea moth maggot in sight!  Next year I will keep covered with Environmesh for the duration.
Ian

[mumofstig]

I harvested my Cavalier peas and only found 3 maggots -  they were not covered 








edited to make sense 

[Aunt Sally]

I have 4 x 15ft rows of peas and could not afford the enviromesh to cover them so I spray them. 

Harvested loads so far and no caterpillars in them.

[Flowertot]

My peas have just started flowering.  When should I spray them (now?) and how often?

[DD.]

Now and once only.

[Flowertot]

Thanks  will do

[Salmo]

I must admit to giving mine a dose of Provado Ultimate Bug Killer if I deem it necessary. (It probably will, this year).

What is this! A moderator encouraging us to use a chemical on a crop for which it has no recommendation.

Unless they have altered the label on the bottle there is no recommendation for Provado UBK to be used on peas, so it should not be used. It is a systemic insectacide and penetrates into the plant tissues and hangs around to kill any bug that chews it. Potatoes require 15 days between spraying and harvest and beet require 35days so I would guess it might stay in the peas a while.

Pyrethroids are recommended, e.g. Bug Clear, but it is a bit hit-and-miss as you need to kill the maggots between hatching and burrowing into the embryo pods. Once inside they are not affected. The recommendation is to spray at the onset of flowering and again 2 weeks later.

I cover my peas with enviromesh at the onset of flowering. It can come off once all the pods are set but I leave it on to keep pigeons off.