Using natural alternatives to control pests in your garden is not only beneficial to the environment, but can also be more effecti...
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Organic pest control methods are generally less environmentally damaging and toxic. Whenever possible, you should use the least toxic method first. There are some very effective natural pest control treatments available.
A healthy garden is the single best organic pest control treatment there is.
The first step in controlling pests is to create the most hospitable growing environment for your plants. Organic methods typically are not as fast acting, and yet can be every bit as effective as synthetic controls over time. Although beneficial insects are incredibly effective, you'll likely have to have a bit of tolerance for some pest damage.
With any pest control treatment, the first step is to identify the offending pest and target a control method that affects just it. You don't want to apply a non-selective chemical that may kill beneficial insects as well. There are a good number of organic options available, and some are more specific to certain pests than others. Here are some of the more popular options.
These insecticides cause the pest to get sick, are very specific to the target pest and do not harm beneficial insects, nor are they toxic to mammals. One of the most popular choices is B.t (Bacillus thuringiensis). The bacteria in B.t paralyzes the digestive system of the larvae, and within a couple of days, the pests are dead. This is an excellent pesticide for use on caterpillars.
These oils work by suffocating the pest. The oil coats them with a petroleum-based liquid, cutting off their oxygen supply. This method of control has been around for a long time. It is primarily used to kill scale insects as well as the eggs and immature stages of insects.
This is an organic and natural pest control agent that consists of fossilized diatoms, which are a type of algae. Diatomaceous Earth looks like a harmless powder, but its sharp edges damage the exoskeleton of the insect and dehydrate it. Although this is deadly to many insects, it is safe around pets and people. As gardeners are looking for organic and natural alternatives to their gardening chemicals, Diatomaceous Earth is a great option for controlling many soft-bodied garden pests including aphids, caterpillars, root maggots, slugs and snails.
These soaps utilise the salts and fatty acids within them to target many soft-bodied pests including aphids, whiteflies, mealy bugs, earwigs, thrips and scales. The soaps penetrate the soft outer shell of these and other pests, causing damage to the cell membranes. They then begin to break down, resulting ultimately in dehydration, and starvation. These soaps can be phytotoxic to certain plants, so be sure to test a small area, before applying on a larger scale.
Neem is a broad-spectrum insecticide, acting as a poison, repellent and deterrent to feeding. In addition, it also sterilizes certain insect species and slows or stops the growth cycle of others. Neem comes from many parts of the neem tree, which is native to India. Neem is applied as a foliar spray or soil drench. It is used to kill a range of pests, including aphids, thrips, loopers, whiteflies and mealy bugs.
Remember that just because something is organic doesn't mean that it is not toxic. Arsenic is a natural occurring organic substance and is very toxic.
One final point: Never use any insecticide in any way contrary to what is written on the label.
Article provided by Lavender Pest Control