HELP ~ Is Talstar Granials Pesticide OK

[aSoldiersWife]

I had to sprinkle my yard with Talstar Pesticide because we had a severe flea problem. Is it safe to put my Tortoises back outside any? Im scared that they will get sick or poisened by it? PLEASE HELP, NOBODY ONLINE KNOWS?

 

[TortoiseBoy1999]

I had to sprinkle my yard with Talstar Pesticide because we had a severe flea problem. Is it safe to put my Tortoises back outside any? Im scared that they will get sick or poisened by it? PLEASE HELP, NOBODY ONLINE KNOWS?

I would say no. But let's wait and see what the more experienced owners say.

 

[dmmj]

Spray or granules?

 

[aSoldiersWife]

Grainuals

 

[Moozillion]

I googled "Telstar insecticide dangers" and got lots of articles about how it kills bees, birds, fish etc. It is apparently especially formulated to last at least 3 months. Check it out yourself, but my guess would be no- not safe. But that's just a guess. Let's see if other folks have had experience with it.

 

[wellington]

NO it is a poison. I would not ever take a chance with any poison. I would not let any animal out on it for quite some time.

 

[Nixxy]

Well, is it anywhere near or in his enclosure? I'm honestly not sure the tort would eat it or not...

It'd probably make it pretty sick if he did eat it, though.

 

[EKLC]

The pesticide you applied is bifenthrin.

From http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/bifenthr.htm
"It's half-life in soil, the amount of time it takes to degrade to half of its original concentration, is 7 days to 8 months depending on the soil type and the amount of air in the soil (11, 62).
Breakdown of Chemical in Vegetation: Bifenthrin is not absorbed by plant foliage, nor does it translocate in the plant (63). "

If your soil is sandy, the half life will be on the shorter end of that range

Sunlight degrades it, so if it's in a sunny area it should degrade faster.

If it has rained a lot that helps.

I've seen it recommended not to graze livestock on forage treated with bifenthrin for 30 days following treatment. Of course, as non-agricultural tortoise owners, we should play it safer because our torts are going to need healthy organs for a very long time.

If you want to be safe, but also want your tort to be outside ASAP, you could make a fairly deep raised bed, filled with organic topsoil (not potting), and plant new stuff. And don't use pressure treated wood for the bed!

 

[aSoldiersWife]

Well I appreciate ALL the feed back from everyone!!!☺ I went and bought my babies an under the bed storage container , put them in there and have there food in a small dish with coconut shavings with there lights , a few rocks and hiding log... I'll just bring there container out during the day for a few hours to get there UV but I'll keep them in there for at least the next 40-60 days bc I live in louisiana where it rains a lot & humid do it prob won't last as long , along with our sandy soil... I'll take pics & post them soon so I can get some input on there bedding to make sure they stay happy, healthy & sweet