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Home EM® Products Making Activated EM-1®

EM5

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EM5 is used to deter pests. This is an all-natural concoction that can be made by anyone and is in no way harmful to humans or animals. It combines water, EM-1®, a distilled spirit, molasses, and vinegar. The most successful programs with EM5 involve alternating its applications with Activated EM-1® and EMFPE. EM5 is effective for reducing pest populations because EM5 contains esters formed by mixing acetic acid and alcohol, which provokes intestinal intoxication. 

The formula for one gallon of EM5 is as follows (1:1:1:1:20): 

  1. 3/4C EM-1®
  2. 3/4C Molasses
  3. 3/4C Vinegar (white or apple cider)
  4. 3/4C distilled alcohol (vodka, whiskey, tequila)
  5. Add some other plant material*
  6. Fill the gallon container with warm water (110-120ºF)
  7. Seal and ferment until pH goes below 4.0

*People often mix in hot peppers and/or garlic for added benefits.

Spray EM5 alternately with EM-1® or EM-1® Fermented Plant Extract through a hose-end sprayer.  The thought here is to prevent the pests from getting used to or building a tolerance to the same product.

Often people will set up an informal program as follows:
Week One: Apply AEM-1®, 1 gallon for 1/2 acre property
Week Two: Apply EM5 .  1 gallon for 1/2 acre property
Week Three: Apply EM FPE.  1 gallon for 1/2 acre property
Week Four: Apply AEM-1®.  1 gallon for 1/2 acre property

This pattern is repeated throughout the growing season.

 

How to make Activated EM-1®

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EM-1® Microbial Inoculant products can be grown one time for economical purposes. This "growing" or "brewing" process is called Activation (or extension). The activation process is to take one part EM-1® and make 22 times the amount through a simple fermentation process, similar to making beer or wine. Below are instructions on how to do this simple process that normally takes anywhere from 5-10 days to complete when done properly.

As with beer and wine, the colder the temperature, the longer the fermentation takes to complete. And, the process is done without air. Any local home brewing supplier will have the materials you will need to have a successful Activation. These items include airlocks, carboys, tubing, etc. If you want to keep it really simple, you may use a clean soda bottle with a screw on top. These bottles are very good because they can take a tremendous amount of pressure and can be found virtually anywhere. If you load the slideshow below, you will see that apple juice bottles from the local grocery store were used to ferment the Activated EM-1®.

To prepare 22 parts of Activated EM-1® (AEM-1®) from 1 part of EM-1®.

  • A clean airtight plastic bottle or container or large tank with lid.
  • 1 part EM-1®. (5% of the total volume)
  • 1 part Sugar Cane Molasses. (5% of the total volume)(pictured right)
  • 20 parts warm water 100F

Materials

Tools to help the preparation process

  • Molasses
  • Clean Water
  • EM•1®
  • A funnel
  • A measuring cup and spoon
  • pH paper to check pH.

Recipes

To Make 1 liter or quart:

  1. Add water to fill 80% of the plastic bottle
  2. Then add 50ml (1.7oz) of molasses and 50ml (1.7oz) of EM-1® in the bottle
  3. Shake the bottle to dissolve the molasses. Top off with water.
  4. Cap the bottle tightly and keep in a warm place.

Making 5 gallons of Activated EM-1®:

  1. Add water to fill 50% of the plastic container
  2. Then add 28 oz. of molasses and 28 oz of EM-1® in the bottle*
  3. Shake the container to dissolve the molasses and top off the container with warm water.
  4. Cap the container tightly and keep in a warm place

*Dissolve the molasses with warm or hot water before adding it to the container. This makes the preparation easier.

Making 55 gallons (208 liters) Activated EM-1®

  1. Add 30 gallons 100oF Water
  2. Add 2.5 gallons molasses
  3. Add EM-1® Microbial Inoculant
  4. Fill drum with 100oF Water
  5. Seal drum and keep in warm place

Making a tote of (275 gallons) or 1,000 liters of Activated EM-1®

  1. Add water to fill half of the tank
  2. Then add 12 gallons of molasses and 12 gallons of EM-1® to the tank*
  3. Top off the tank with more warm water to prevent excess airspace.
  4. Cap the tank tightly and keep in a warm place

What's Next?

When is it ready?

When the pH of the solution drops to 3.7 or below and has rested at this pH for 5-7 days, the Activated EM-1® is ready to use. You will have about 30-45 days to use it at this point.

* Dissolve the molasses with warm or hot water before adding it to the tank.
This makes the preparation easier.

**During the fermentation process pressure builds up in the containers as the microbes digest the sugars. To avoid rupturing the container, "burp" it and reseal. Burping may have to be done one or more times per day. You may also use airlocks or blow off tubes similar to what is done in brewing wine or beer. For an example of what an airlock looks like and costs, click here. Airlocks and other brewing equipment can be found online through many home brewing suppliers or at a local home brew supply.

EM Activation Slideshow

Making Activated EM-1 step-by-step. Even a kid can do it.

Activated EM-1®

NOTE

EM-1® likes warm conditions. A suitable temperature for fermentation (propagation) of EM-1® is from 86F to 104F (30C to 40C). In the winter, and other times when the temperature is low, after making the Activated EM-1®(dissolving the molasses in hot water), place the EM-1® next to a radiator, space heater, or other warm device, or even wrap it in a blanket or an insulator, in order to promote EM-1® fermentation.

STORAGE

Activated EM-1® should be kept in an expandable (plastic) air-tight container to keep it anaerobic and used within 30-45 days after the pH drops below 4.0.

Store Activated EM-1® at room temperature, 68F to 86F (20C-30C). Refrigeration is not necessary.

In containers that are not completely airtight, a white layer of yeast will form on the surface. Since this may lead to putrefaction, remove the layer as needed and transfer to a container that can be closed tightly. Be sure to leave as little airspace in the bottle as possible.

If Activated EM-1® has a foul smell or the pH rises above 4.0, the solution could be contaminated with undesirable microbes and should be discarded. This material is fine to pour into a long-term compost pile.

 

Activated EM-1® FAQ, Directions and Troubleshooting

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What is the difference between Extended EM-1® and Activated EM-1®?

The term Activated EM-1®, also called EM-1® Activated, has replaced the term Extended EM-1® (which was mostly used in North America). Most of the world has been using the term Activated EM-1® which more accurately describes the process (See "How is EM-1® applied? under ACTIVATION" above for instructions on making Activated EM-1®).

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