Organic Pest Control in the Garden
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Organic gardening eliminates the use of all chemical or artificial herbicides and pesticides. This
will lead to better and healthier plants. If you use chemicals to control your garden problems, you
will poison your plants and soil. This can also lead to poisoning your water supply. Pesticides kill
not only the pests you want to get rid of, but many beneficial insects and other creatures, such as
toads and snakes, that a healthy garden needs. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides were not
introduced until after World War II. Prior to that time almost all gardening was done organically.
Thankfully we have rediscovered the natural ways and are improving the pest-control methods
that have been used for hundreds of years.
The extra time and attention needed for natural pest control are worth the effort. You will be
protecting yourself, your family, your animals and your environment. Organic methods are very
effective even if they do take longer.
Natural Insecticides
Natural insecticides are most effective when applied several times at intervals of seven to 10
days. They also work best when applied at the early stages of infestation, not when your plants
are completely covered with pests.
Examine your plants regularly so you’ll notice when pests arrive. If an infestation is severe and
immediate action is necessary, you can check with your local county extension agent for the least
invasive pest-control product.
Applying common sense to gardening can also help reduce pests. One method is to separate the
plants. When one type of plant is grouped together, it acts as a beacon for pests. When the
plants are spread through out the garden insect pest problems become more manageable.
A few of the more common beneficial insects are:
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Lady Beetles - Adult lady beetles and their larvae are an excellent, non-chemical way to
control aphids, Colorado potato beetles (egg stage) and other insect pests in your garden. The
eggs laid by the adult lady beetle will grow into orange-and-black-striped larvae, which devour
aphids.
Lacewing (Green Lacewings Chrysoperla carnea) - Lacewings are the best all-purpose
predator for your garden or greenhouse. The larvae have a ferocious appetite for aphids, mealy
bugs, immature scales and whiteflies, thrips, spider mites and more.
Syrphid flies - Also known as hover flies for their ability to hover in flight, are common
predators of aphids and other soft bodied insects.
Here's a terrific book that shows how to combat pests WITHOUT using toxic chemicals!
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And check out THIS one!
Their mission is pest control and their reward is a full
stomach! Get this terrific mixture of BENEFICIAL
Insects for your garden!
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