Whey as a Natural Insecticide

Project Overview

FNC12-855
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2012: $2,568.17
Projected End Date: 12/31/2013
Region: North Central
State: Missouri
Project Coordinator:

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Vegetables: cabbages, cucurbits, eggplant, brussel sprouts
  • Animals: goats
  • Animal Products: dairy

Practices

  • Crop Production: organic fertilizers
  • Education and Training: extension, farmer to farmer, mentoring, networking
  • Farm Business Management: value added
  • Pest Management: prevention
  • Production Systems: organic agriculture
  • Soil Management: soil quality/health
  • Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures

    Summary:

    We used a combination of Summer Squash, Zucchini, and melon seeds for these mounds.  We bought Powdered Whey from Walmart and used the liquid whey from my cheese making.

    All in all, I like using the liquid whey over the powdered.  Lots cheaper.

    Introduction:

    We have been using the liquid whey, from my cheese making to put on squash, cucumber and watermelon plants outside my milk kitchen for the past couple years.  I noticed it worked well keeping bugs from those plants

    Janet Hurst encouraged me to try for a grant to research this whey as an insecticide in a controlled test.
    I thank her for the help.

    Project objectives:

    The objective of this test was to see if using liquid whey, or powdered whey would work as an insecticide.

    In conclusion, the liquid whey and the powdered whey work as a deterrent for squash bug, but not on cucumber beetles.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.