Those who have spent a good deal of time gardening know the importance of Sevin.
For years when someone mentioned Sevin as a product, many recognized it as having carbaryl in it.
This product was first introduced commercially around the mid 1950's and became a very appealing product over the next 50 plus years.
Even though it has some application in flea control in pets the majority of its use has been found in homeowner vegetable control. The product is very inexpensive, easy to use, and has a short pre-harvest interval making it a very easy control option.
Since Sevin was picked up by Bayer Crop Science in the early 2000s, newer and more powerful options have been brought to the market.
Recently GardenTech has brought forth some new Sevin products that contain zeta-cypermethrin and not carbaryl.
This might confuse some gardeners as some of the older formulations will still be sold. An example of this would be if Tylenol started selling a product with something other than acetaminophen in it.
The good news about this change is the fact that zeta-cypermethrin has an even shorter pre-harvest interval (1 day-most crops).
Like other pyrethroids this one will not be very useful against whiteflies, aphids and such causing you to choose another product.
So the next time you find yourself in the garden section or you are out looking for a product to control some of the pests in your garden, look for some of these new options.
If used properly the new Sevin will be just as popular. Also, don't worry if you are scared to try something new, there will be plenty of people that will stick with the old carbaryl and malathion products.
In order to cut down on the confusion always look at the label and see what active ingredient is in that product. Remember to read and follow all labeled directions.
