Merit 2F Insecticide - Questions & Answers

Most people use a 5 gallon bucket or a large watering can to apply Merit 2F as a soil drench. You will need 0.1 to 0.2 fl. oz. (3 to 6 mL) of Merit per inch of trunk diameter for trees. The amount of water that is used will vary depending on soil conditions and volumes that are easy for applicators to use. The minimum amount of water that should be used is 1 pint per inch of trunk diameter but you may use 1 quart -1 gallon of water per inch of trunk diameter for trees as well. Denser soils such as clay do not accept water as readily, so the lower volume of water is suggested.  Since sandy soils can accept more water, using the higher volume of water is preferred. After the soil drench has been applied you should water it in with at east 1/2 inch of water. Note: Water simply acts as a carrier and it is important that even distribution of the product is achieved. Thus, more water may be used if the applicator feels runoff will not occur and proper penetration of the root zone is achieved. Insecticides applied to the soil are taken up by the roots and translocated throughout the tree or shrub. Root/soil drenches offer the advantage of requiring no special equipment to apply (other than a bucket or watering can). However, surface layers of organic matter, such as mulch or leaf litter, can bind the insecticide and reduce uptake. Before applying drenches, it is important to remove or pull back any mulch or dead leaves so the insecticide solution is poured directly on the mineral soil. It is also important to keep the soil around the tree or shrub moist for the next 7-10 days after applications to encourage uptake.

Yes, Merit 2F does kill Grubs , the larva of the Japanese Beetle. You would use 0.46-0.6 oz in one gallon of water and use one gallon of finished solution per 1,000 square feet.

The shelf life on Merit 2F all depends on how it is stored. If the product has been tightly sealed and kept out of sunlight and extreme temperatures, the shelf life is 3-5 years

The Merit 2F can be applied to yard for grub control and should be put down around the end of May to the beginning of June when grubs will start being most active. You can apply it at the appropriate rate per the product label for grub control a few times throughout the season to keep them under control. While grubs are one food source for moles, they are not the only food source for them and ridding your yard of grubs should not be your only method of control if moles are your primary problem. We have several products for moles that you can view HERE: Mole Control.

Yes, Merit 2F can be used in a hose end sprayer. You will need to make sure you are using the right amount of product per 1000 square feet depending on what you are treating for.

Merit 2F should be watered in with sufficient irrigation or rainfall to move the active ingredient through the thatch.

Both Merit 2F and Merit 75 WP are systemic concentrates containing the active ingredient Imidacloprid. Merit 2F is a liquid concentrate (Flowable) with 21.4% active ingredient, while Merit 75 WP is a Wettable Powder containing 75% active ingredient. When using Merit 2F, use 0.1 to 0.2 fl. oz. of concentrate per inch of trunch diameter, per the product label. You will then uniformly apply the dosage in no less than 10 gallons of water per 1,000 square feet as a drench around the base of the tree, directed to the root zone. Remove plastic or any other barrier that will stop the solution from reaching the root zone. When applying Merit 75 WP, use .7 to 1.4 level teaspoons per inch of trunch diameter, or 1 to 2 ounces per 30 cumulative inches of trunk diameter, and apply the same way as the Merit 2F, according to the product label.

 

If you have many trees to treat, Merit 2F would be more economical. If you only have a few small trees, then the Merit 75 WP 2 oz. jar would probably be enough product for you.

All listed products use Imidicloprid. They can all be applied as an insect systemic. They do however have different manufacturers. Be sure to review the labels as they do have a few differences. Please let us know if you have any more questions.

Merit 2F Insecticide is an excellent choice for a soil injection systemic control for emerald ash borers. Please refer to the product label prior to application for complete usage instructions. You will need to have measurements of the trees diameter or the shrubs height to determine how much product you will need to apply. Please let us know if you need anything else.

Normally as long as an insecticide like Merit 2F has had at least 6 hours of dry time after it has been applied, then it is considered rain fast to most rain conditions that would come afterwards. If it rained as early as 4 hours after application you may need to reapply. 

Merit 2F Insecticide is toxic to bees contacted with the direct spray or with residuals on blooming crops or weeds. We do not recommend applying Merit 2F or other insecticides while pollinators are present or directly onto flowering plants where pollinators are likely to forage.

Merit 2F Insecticide  can be used a a drench, however it is only labeled for apply tree and not for peach trees. For both apple and peach trees we would recommend a product like Monterey Fruit Tree and Vegetable Systemic Soil Drench. Please let us know if we you have any other questions.

Merit 2F Insecticide is labeled to be used in greenhouses but is not labeled to be used in potted plants.

You could use Bonide Systemic Insect Control. You will use 3 teaspoons per gallon of water and spray the entire plant covering both sides of the foliage thoroughly. Since you are treating potted plants, we would recommend taking the plants outside if at all possible to treat and then bringing them in once you have completed the project.

You will use 1.6 pints of Merit 2F Insecticide per acre. This is the maximum amount of product that can be used per year. 

Merit 2F Insecticide should be applied as a systemic soil drench. You could spray Bifen IT at 1 fl oz per gallon monthly to foliage.  Please take a few moments to review our treatment article that offers more helpful tips.   White Fly Control Article

For multi-stem trees, base rate on cumulative inches of diameter of all stems at breast height when applying Merit 2F. You will need 0.1 to 0.2 fl. oz. (3 to 6 mL) of Merit per inch of trunk diameter for trees.

Merit 2F will treat bagworms. To answer if Merit 2F will treat them on arborvitae, please contact Bayer at 800-331-2867 to verify.

If Merit 2F Insecticide has separated, you can try to shake it to mix it back up prior to use. If the product stays separated, or if it became frozen at any point, you will need fresh product.

Merit 2F Insecticide is mixed at 1.5 fl oz per 100 gallons for treating Japanese Beetles with a foliar application.

Merit 2F is safe for pets if used as directed.  Pets need to be kept out of the area during application and until all surfaces are dry.  It is fine for them to return to the area once it is dry.