Is It Ever Safe To Eat Fruit From A Plant Treated With Systemic Insect Control?

Question

Hi, I was wondering…if Systemic houseplant insect control is used on a plant is it absolutely no longer edible even if the product is only used once and the plant’s fruit is not eaten until many years later? At any point does the insecticide make its way out of the plant’s system? The reason I am asking is because I have 2 avocado plants I am growing as houseplants and have a fungus gnat problem from other plants. I’d love to eradicate the problem using systemic houseplant insect control. I do not expect the plants to bear fruit/avocados any time in the near future, it can take up to 7 years…but would they be safe to consume at some point in time in the future if the systemic has made its way out of the plant’s system?

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Answer 1

It should say on the systemic product label when or if the plant or its fruit would be safe to consume at some point. There are other ways to get fungus gnats under control. Then you don't have to worry about it. Plus, the gnats are in the soil, not eating your plant.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/fungus-gnats.htm