Insect Frass

Yesterday I bought a 2lb bag of Insect Frass at Greenfire.  Currently the ladybugs are doing a fine job of eating aphids, but Ill be prepared if the aphids or any other harmful bugs begin to get the upper hand.
 

Insect Frass naturally contains the nutrition plants require, beneficial micro-organisms, and the only immediately plant-available source of chitin (pronounced “Kite-in”). Chitin fortifies a plant from the inside out, causing an "auto-immune" response that signals a plant to produce natural toxins which fend off its natural enemies like pests and fungal pathogens. The EPA says that chitin and chitosan defend against botrytis (grey mold), powdery mildew, early and late blight, fungal pathogens in the root zone (root rot) and root-feeding nematodes.

Frass is made up of both insect exoskeletons and insect poop.  It triggers a plant’s immune-response-system causing the plant to defend itself from pests and pathogens, and it is also a superb fungal food which can be substituted for fish hydrolysate.

Im looking forward to using it this season as an addition to my compost tea, and as a foliar spray. 
This will be my first time using insect frass, and I will be sure to update this post as I learn more. 
Read more:  http://www.gardenteacompany.com/insect-frass-2-lb/


 APPLICATIONS:
(For best results use de-chlorinated or R/O water in all instances)
TRANSPLANTING – Add a pinch of Frass and Mycorrhizae to your transplant site to accelerate mycorrhizae and root development.
HYDRO – Add 2 Cups per 30 Gallons water (strain for drip systems)
Add directly to reservoir for Ebb & Flow or Flood to Drain systems
SOIL / COCO – Pre-Mix 1 Cup per Cubic Foot of loose soil/coco prior to planting (less than 1% by volume) which lasts until end of Week 3. Root Drench or Top Dress beginning Week 4.
ROOT DRENCH / TOP DRESS – Add ½ Cup Frass per Gallon water and Root Drench, or Sprinkle over root zone and water in thoroughly.
FOLIAR FEED – Add 1 TBSP per Gallon water (1 TSP per Quart), shake and let sit for 30 minutes, then apply. Its not 100% soluble so either strain, or for best results, mix in a separate container, let solids settle to the bottom and top-fill sprayer. Weekly, beginning Week 3.
COMPOST TEA – Add 1 Cup Frass per 15 Gallons of Tea to achieve Fungal Dominance.
KILL FUNGUS GNATS – Add ½ Cup per Gallon water, shake and let sit for 30 minutes, then Root Drench. Repeat every 3 weeks.
Go to www.OnFrass.com for more application instructions and FAQs
BENEFITS:
NUTRIENTS
– Contains ALL Macro and Micro nutrients, including Silica
– Can be used as an organic base or additive
– Organic P-K Boost, with No Nitrates
– Organic Nitrogen improves nutrient uptake & PSM’s
– Use Foliarly to feed nutrients directly to leaf tissue
BENEFICIAL MICRO-ORGANISMS (bacteria, fungi and protozoa)
– 6+ TRILLION cfu/gm; no other biologic source comes close
– 100 Billion Fungi spores per gram
– Every Beneficial Bacteria group available
– Highest amounts of Protozoa (Amoebae) available
– Use Foliarly for prevent Downey Mildew, Botrytis & PM
INSECT CHITIN
– Chitin stimulates the plant’s auto-immune system to create plant
secondary metabolites (PSMs or “exudates”) such as Chitinase
Enzyme, Terpenes, Flavinoids, Alkaloids and Amino Acids,
which protect plants from Pests and Pathogens
– The absolute best Fungal Food for Compost Teas
– Works exceptionally well with Mycorrhizae
– Prevents/Kills Root Rot (fungal pathogens in the rhizosphere)
– Kills Root-Feeding Nematodes and their eggs
FINISH 4 -17 DAYS EARLY – When using Frass from start to finish