Methyl iodide: an alternative to methyl bromide for insectary fumigation

Methyl bromide is a powerful fumigant that has been widely used in soil, st ructural and commodity fumigations for many years. Because of its designati on as an ozone-depleting chemical and resulting federal and international l aws, it is scheduled to be removed from production in the year 2001. In exp eriments testing the suitability of methyl iodide as a replacement chemical for insectary and quarantine fumigations, the chemical appears to be as ef fective or more effective than methyl bromide. Increased symptoms of plant toxicity to methyl iodide are evidenced only at concentrations above those required to kill insect pests.