Methods for Pest Control

PHYSICAL METHODS OF PEST CONTROL

-  Pick or wash bugs off plants.

-  Use floating fabric row covers to keep pests off crop plants.

-  Pull weeds by hand before they set seed.

-  Mulch gardens to prevent weeds.

-  Remove all Japanese Barberry which attracts ticks and mice that spread disease.

NON-TOXIC SUBSTANCES & HEAT

-  Garlic-based tick sparay and MET-52 are alternatives to bee-killing Pyrethroids.

-  Limonene as an herbicide for small areas (Avenger is one brand).

-  Applying corn gluten meal to turf grass (in early spring and fall) will prevent germination of crabgrass and weeds.

-  Kill weeds in driveways and walkways with a propane torch or vinegar solution (1 qt vinegar, 1/4 cup salt, 2 tsp. dish soap).

-  Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around foundations and entryways for non-toxic control of ants.

-  Whole milk and water (1:2) prevents powdery mildew.

NON-TOXIC BAITS, TRAPS, LURES

-  Trap whiteflies and aphids with yellow sticky cards, a very effective method since these insects are attracted to color.

-  Slugs can be trapped with a saucer of beer placed at ground level.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL 

Learn to identify the "good guys" and let these beneficial insects do their job.

-  Lady beetles eat aphids, and green lacewing larvae feed on soft-bodied insects, mites, and insect eggs.

-  Spined soldier bugs, spiders, predatory mites, and many nematodes are also beneficial "allies".

MICROBIAL PESTICIDES

-  Bacillus thuringiensis var. galleriae (BTg) is effective in controlling many beetle grubs including Japanese and Asian beetles  

   and chafers.

-  Beneficial nematodes are effective in controlling all types of beetle grubs.

HORTICULTURAL OIL SPRAYS

-  For control aphids, mites, scale insects, whiteflies and other pests.

  USE CAUTION. These oils are non-selective and will kill beneficial insects.

INSECTICIDAL SOAPS

-  Effective against whiteflies, aphids, mites, and thrips.

   TAKE CAUTION not to use insecticidal soaps on butterfly caterpillars.Also, many plants are sensitive to   

   insecticidal soaps.

BOTANICAL INSECTICIDES

-  Many naturally occurring plant extracts have insecticidal properties. They vary in toxicity to humans and non-target            

   organisms. USE THESE WITH CAUTION. Immature insects, including beneficials like butterfly caterpillars, are     

   extremely sensitive to extracts like Neem.

NOTE:  With any insecticide, it is important to apply when pollinators (bees, butterflies) are not active and 

              where flowers are not present.SYSTEMIC INSECTICIDES get into pollen and nectar, effectively poisoning 

              bees and other pollinators.

NEVER USE BROAD SPECTRUM INSECTICIDES