Natural Methods to Control the Pesky Pests

Let's face it, once we step outside our home, we are surrounded by insects and other organisms. What we do about them depends largely on what they are doing to us -- especially in our garden, and to our lawn, flowers or trees. Generally, trying to eliminate most pesky pests is an almost impossible situation. However, there are plans available to help you to deal with the problem while keeping people, pets and the environment safe.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is such a plan. What makes this worth pursuing is the fact that it is based on common-sense, economical means of containing the pests while keeping the safety of people, property and the environment in mind. IPM begins at the beginning -- the threat, and works through to containment and/or elimination. There are basically four steps to the IPM Plan:

1. Prevention. This is the most preferable and simplest method to use. Select pest-resistant variety of vegetables for your garden, rotate between different crops and plant pest-free rootstock. Talk to your County Extension Agent (check your telephone directory under government) before buying seeds or plants. Ask for the Master Gardener's help in choosing pest-resistant plants, shrubs, trees, etc.

2. Assess the seriousness of the problem. This assessment indicates when action should be taken. Seeing a few insects is not a problem, seeing continuing damage done to your plants is! Is there a real threat to your lawn and garden? If the answer is yes, move to the next step.

3. Identify the culprits. Once you verify that the insects, organisms or weeds are a danger, the next step is to identify and monitor them. After they are identified and the danger is determined to be real, you can take the proper steps to control or eradicate the problem. If you know what you are up against, you are less likely to use a pesticide when it is not needed or use the wrong kind. Ideally, after you identify the culprit, you can investigate and use natural methods rather than dangerous pesticides.

4. Control. Before indiscriminately spraying everything in sight, begin with an effective but less risky approach such as spraying pheromones to disrupt the pest mating. Depending upon the pest you might even try trapping. Natural predators might be introduced into the area. These are insects that eat other insects and may control the infestation. There are also insect growth regulators which also may take care of the pests.

Talk with the Master Gardener at your County Extension Office and get his/her recommendations as to your best choice. If these don't work, move on to the next level which would be "targeted" spraying of a pesticide. The last level and highest level would be a broadcast spraying of a non-specific pesticide.

NOTE: Choose a pesticide that is produced from natural sources rather than those using synthetic chemicals. Only by identifying the pest can you be sure to use the correct pesticide.

As you can see, even in Step 4, there are levels of control going from effective but less risky to the broadcast spraying. By following the IPM plan you reduce or eliminate exposure to dangerous, synthetic pesticides to yourself, your family, pets and the environment.