Siltac EC 1L – Physical-Action Pest Control for Aphids, Mites, Whiteflies, Thrips & Scale

Siltac EC 1L – Innovative Physical Pest Control for Crops

Siltac EC is an innovative crop-protection product designed to control a broad range of herbivorous insects and mites feeding on crops. Unlike conventional plant-protection products, the label states that Siltac EC does not contain active ingredients of conventional plant protection products. Instead, it eliminates pests through a physical mode of action.

The emulsifiable concentrate is diluted with water and applied as a foliar spray. According to the supplied product information, Siltac EC is recommended for use on fruit trees and berries, vegetables, ornamental plants, cereals and date palm trees.

It is particularly useful against mites, aphids, scale larvae, psyllids and dust mites, while also helping to reduce populations of thrips and whiteflies on specified crops.

How Does Siltac EC Work?

Siltac EC has a completely physical mode of action. The formulation contains a combination of various silicone polymers.

After application, these compounds spread thoroughly over feeding pests and create a specific three-dimensional polymeric net on their bodies. According to the product information, this structure restrains and immobilises the pests and blocks their physical bodily functions on multiple levels.

The resulting physical effect leads to the rapid elimination of insects and mites feeding on plants.

Siltac EC does not rely on conventional pesticide active ingredients to achieve this effect; the product states that pests are eliminated physically.

What Is Siltac EC Best For?

Siltac EC is designed for managing herbivorous insects and mites feeding on crops. Based strictly on the supplied product information, it is suitable for the following crop groups:

• Fruit trees
• Berries
• Date palm trees
• Vegetables
• Ornamental plants, trees and bushes
• Winter and spring cereals

Target Pests

Key Benefits of Siltac EC

• Physical pest-control mechanism: Acts physically rather than through conventional pesticide active ingredients.
• Broad pest spectrum: Effective against several important groups of herbivorous insects and mites.
• Multiple crop applications: Recommended for fruit trees, berries, vegetables, ornamental plants, cereals and date palms.
• Controls difficult pests: Product information specifically identifies aphids, mites, scale larvae, psyllids and dust mites.
• Reduces thrips and whiteflies: Recommended for reducing their populations on specified crops.
• Thorough spreading: Siltac EC provides thorough liquid penetration over plant surfaces and pests.
• Increased adhesiveness: The product information states that Siltac EC increases the adhesiveness of the applied liquid.
• Tank-mix capability: Can be used with conventional insecticides and miticides and can also be tank-mixed with fungicides, subject to compatibility precautions.
• Useful for large pest populations: Tank mixing is particularly recommended by the manufacturer for large populations of pests that can be difficult to control conventionally.

Expected Results

After proper dilution and thorough foliar application, Siltac EC spreads across the treated plant surfaces and feeding pests. Its silicone polymers form a three-dimensional polymeric structure on the pests’ bodies, physically restraining and immobilising them and interfering with their bodily functions.

According to the supplied product information, this physical mechanism results in the rapid elimination of insects and mites feeding on plants.

Results depend on adequate spray coverage. The manufacturer’s instructions repeatedly specify applying sufficient spray volume to achieve thorough coverage of the target plant parts.

Recommended Dosage & Crop Uses

Fruit Trees, Berries & Date Palm Trees

Targets: Aphids including woolly apple aphid, spider mites, scale larvae, psyllids and dust mites.

Limitations: On apple trees, the product may cause spots on fruits of some cultivars. It may also damage petals on some species of flowering plants.

Vegetables

Controls: Spider mites and aphids.
Reduces: Thrips and whiteflies.

Apply adequate spray volume to provide thorough coverage of the target plant parts.

Limitations: On tomatoes, Siltac EC may damage leaves on some cultivars. On some flowering plants, it may damage petals.

Ornamental Plants, Trees & Bushes

Controls: Aphids, spider mites and scale larvae.
Reduces: Thrips and whiteflies.

Apply adequate spray volume to provide thorough coverage of target plant parts.

For ornamental plants sensitive to Siltac EC, the instructions recommend using the lower 0.1% dilution. If necessary, repeat application 1–2 times every 7–10 days.

Important: The label specifically warns that Siltac EC may damage leaves on some cultivars of geranium, gerbera and chrysanthemum and may damage petals on some flowering plant species. Before the first application, test the product on a smaller area to exclude possible phytotoxicity.

Winter & Spring Cereals

Target: Aphids

Tank Mixing with Other Plant Protection Products

Siltac EC can be used in tank-mix combinations with conventional insecticides and miticides to increase the efficacy of application.

The manufacturer particularly recommends this approach when dealing with large pest populations that are normally difficult to control conventionally, with psyllids and woolly apple aphids given as examples.

Siltac EC provides thorough liquid penetration over plant surfaces and pests and additionally increases adhesiveness.

Tank-Mix Rate with Insecticides & Miticides

0.1%–0.15%, equivalent to 100–150 ml of Siltac EC per 100 litres of plant-protection product solution.

Do not add any additional wetting agents to such mixtures.

Can Siltac EC Be Mixed with Fungicides?

Yes. The supplied manufacturer’s information states that tank mixing Siltac EC with fungicides is also possible.

Although Siltac EC is usually compatible with other products, the manufacturer recommends testing the prepared mixture before full-scale application.

• Apply the mixture to a few plants first to check for possible phytotoxicity.
• Check the prepared spray solution for any physical changes before application.

Mixing Instructions

1. Measure the correct amount of Siltac EC.
2. Pour it directly into the spray tank that has previously been filled with water.
3. Mix thoroughly.
4. When using Siltac EC with another plant-protection product, prepare the other plant-protection product solution first.
5. Add the recommended quantity of Siltac EC afterwards.
6. Use the prepared spray mixture within 24 hours after dilution.

Important Application Precautions

Thorough spray coverage is important for Siltac EC because its pest-control activity is based on a physical mechanism. Follow the recommended dilution rate for the relevant crop and apply enough spray solution to thoroughly cover the target plant parts.

Pay particular attention to the crop-specific limitations stated above. Where plant sensitivity is possible, conduct a small-area test before treating the entire crop.

Product Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Siltac EC an insecticide?

Siltac EC is designed to control herbivorous insects and mites, but the manufacturer states that it does not contain active ingredients of conventional plant-protection products. It eliminates pests through a physical mechanism.

How does Siltac EC kill pests?

Its silicone polymers spread over feeding pests and create a three-dimensional polymeric net on their bodies. This structure physically restrains and immobilises the pests and blocks their bodily functions, resulting in their rapid elimination.

What pests does Siltac EC control?

The product information identifies mites, aphids, scale larvae, psyllids and dust mites as target pests. On specified crops, it is also recommended for reducing thrips and whiteflies.

Can Siltac EC be used for spider mites?

Yes. Spider mites are specifically listed among the target pests for fruit trees, berries, date palms, vegetables and ornamental plants.

Can Siltac EC be used for aphids?

Yes. Aphids are specifically listed, including woolly apple aphid in the fruit-tree application instructions.

Can Siltac EC be used on vegetables?

Yes. For vegetables, the label recommends Siltac EC for controlling spider mites and aphids and reducing thrips and whiteflies.

What is the dosage for vegetables?

The recommended dilution is 0.1%–0.15%, or 100–150 ml per 100 litres of water. Adequate spray volume should be used to provide thorough coverage.

Can Siltac EC be mixed with insecticides?

Yes. It can be tank-mixed with conventional insecticides and miticides. The stated Siltac EC rate for these mixtures is 0.1%–0.15% (100–150 ml per 100 litres of plant-protection product solution).

Can Siltac EC be mixed with fungicides?

Yes. The supplied instructions state that tank mixing with fungicides is possible. Compatibility and phytotoxicity should be checked before broader application.

Should I add a wetting agent?

No additional wetting agent should be added when Siltac EC is tank-mixed with insecticides or miticides, according to the supplied instructions.

How quickly should a mixed solution be used?

The prepared spray mixture should be used within 24 hours after dilution.

Can Siltac EC damage plants?

The manufacturer provides several crop-specific limitations. It may cause spots on fruits of some apple cultivars, may damage tomato leaves on some cultivars, and may damage leaves or petals of certain ornamental and flowering plants. A small-area test is recommended where sensitivity is a concern.

Important Notice

Always follow the original Siltac EC label and accompanying manufacturer’s instructions. Recommended concentrations, crop suitability and limitations vary by crop. Do not exceed the stated application concentration, and test sensitive ornamental plants on a small area before full treatment.