Although the list of phytosanitary active substances is considerably reduced due to European Union restrictions, some solutions that are less aggressive with the environment are still maintained. One case is that of paraffin oil, a historic insecticide-acaricide commonly used on stone and pome fruit trees. Its use is not very specific, as it causes death by impaired respiration of insects and mites, but it remains functional and effective for this type of crop.
In this article we are going to tell you about the main characteristics of paraffin oil or paraffinic oil, its composition and the main uses given to it in agriculture.
read more: Can copper be mixed with insecticides?
What is paraffin oil and what is it used for?
Paraffin oil is the mixture of purified, dry and saturated hydrocarbons which have different uses in agriculture and cosmetics. With regard to agriculture, this type of oil creates a film on the crop, on the trunk and on the leaves, which makes it difficult for insects to breathe. Paraffin oil causes mortality by anoxia, blocking the spiracles (external opening which communicates with the respiratory system) of insects or the stigmata of mites, causing death by suffocation.
In addition, the penetration of paraffin oil inside the insect’s body can affect other life cycle processes, such as egg development or the motility of larval stages.
Other common names: summer oil or winter oil.
Uses of paraffin oil as an insecticide
Paraffin oil acts by suffocation by covering the body of the insect with a thin film which prevents it from breathing. It is therefore a contact insecticide. Usually, 2 treatments per campaign are recommended:
Summer paraffin oil: control of insects and mites active in the crop with the crop in production.
Winter paraffin oil: It is carried out before germination or flowering, and its objective is to prevent and eliminate insects or mites that have taken shelter in the tree during the winter. This treatment is often combined with a copper source for disease prevention and control.
read more: Guide to insecticides against spider mites.
Paraffin oil is recommended as an insecticide-acaricide treatment in the following crops:
- Citrus: against mites, mealybugs and whiteflies.
- Stone fruit trees and pome fruit trees: against mites and scale insects.
PARAFFIN OIL 79%:
| Cultivated | Plague | Dose | Comments |
| citrus | Mites such as citrus red spider mites (Panonychus citri), Texas mite (Eutetranychus banksi), common red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) and scale insects, California red louse (Aonidiella aurantii), white louse (Aspidiotus nerii) and snakes (Lepidosaphes sp.) | 10-30 L/ha | make 1 application with a broth volume of 1000 to 2000 L/ha. Apply before the fruit begins to color (before BBCH 81) |
| stone fruit trees | Control of scale insects, San José louse (Quadraspidiotus perniciosus) and white peach scale (Pseudaulacaspis pentagon) | 3.75-15 L/ha | make 1 application with a broth volume of 500-1000 L/ha. Apply before bud break (before BBCH 53) |
| pome fruit trees | control of scale insects and San Jose louse (Quadraspidiotus perniciosus) | 3.75-15 L/ha | make 1 application with a broth volume of 500-1000 L/ha. Apply before the first flowers open (before BBCH 60) |
Can it be used in organic farming?
Yes.
Currently, there are several valid products with phytosanitary registration authorized for organic farming.
Additional Paraffin Oil Tips
This product is applied by normal spraying on the leaves and the trunk.
Do not apply this product until 40 days after making a sulfur treatment or in anticipation of frost or on hot, dry days. Respect the precautions due to the phytotoxicity of the product for herbaceous plants.
Do not apply the product in case of frost, temperatures above 32°C, periods of drought or excessive humidity.
In pome fruit trees, especially in the cv “Krystalli” pear tree, do not apply the product one week before or after applying captan or folpet products.
Respect the precautions due to the phytotoxicity of the product for herbaceous plants, and for fruit trees, especially those with stones.
Treatments should be given before fruit color change.
Cover photo: Cathy Merlo.