Dimethoate: Contact Killer
2 November 2009 Dimethoate was originally developed and patented by American Cyanamid in the 1950s. Now off-patent, dimethoate is sold worldwide, with Cheminova the leading manufacturer. The insecticide kills systemically, as well as on contact. It can be used on a wide range of insects and crops, as well as in farm buildings for houseflies and botflies.
It used against a wide range of insects, including aphids, thrips, planthoppers, and whiteflies on alfalfa, apples, citrus, corn, cotton, grapes, melons, pears, pecans, sorghum, soybeans, tobacco, tomatoes, watermelons, wheat, and other vegetables.
Dimethoate is an organophosphate, which interferes with cholinesterase, a necessary nervous system enzyme. In August 2009, the American Bird Conservancy petitioned the US Environmental Protection Agency to ban crop imports containing residues of 13 pesticides, including dimethoate, for fear of toxic effects on birds, honey bees and livestock. However, dimethoate undergoes rapid degradation in the environment, which is less harmful to wildlife.
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