Get rid of pests in an organic garden.
The trend toward organic gardening places an importance on environmental protection, but crop protection is also necessary. One of the drawbacks of organic gardening is ineffective pest control, but there are organic means of controlling these voracious pests. You can also check with your local nursery for any additional suggestions. Does this Spark an idea?
Biological control
The best type of pest control is a biological strategy. Pests have natural predators, and many of the natural predators for pests that kill plants are actually good for plants, or don't harm them. Introducing predators, such as ladybugs, and attracting birds to the garden can be the best pest control methods. Butterflies and bees also eliminate pests. They will eat the pests that eat plants, but they may not be enough in all cases, especially in a greenhouse system.
Smell
Pests are very sensitive to smell, especially strong smells. Pests do not like smells like garlic, tobacco products, vinegar, citrus, fish and many other strong smelling substances. Some plants secrete oils and gases that will deter pests naturally. Because these plants have natural insecticides, pests know their oils and smells and will avoid them.
Feel
Pests do not like the feel of oily surfaces. Oil suffocates pests that have soft bodies. Oils like mineral oil, vegetable oil and cottonseed oil can be applied to plants as a deterrent, and pests will avoid those plants. Also, pests do not like heat or fumes. If they are burned when they walk on or eat plants, they will avoid those plants. Applying chili sprays, kerosene and salt will deter pests, because these substances kill or burn them.
Ingredients
Hundreds of organic and natural recipes exist for pest control in organic gardens. Most are made up of common ingredients, such as garlic, chili peppers, dish soap, vegetable oil, fish fertilizers and vinegar. Different pests require different methods, however, so some mixing may be required to identify the proper solution for the pests attacking your garden.
Strategy
Spray the infested plants with a dish soap mix that will cause insects to stick to the plants. Identify the pests that are damaging your plants and try to eliminate only those pests. Do not try to eliminate all insects, because some are beneficial to plants and gardens. Don't be afraid to experiment with different mixes, and don't think one spray will eliminate the problem. Respray the plants frequently, every few days or after they are watered or rained on. Protect your entire garden by spraying the perimeter. Don't continually use the same spray, because the pests may become immune to it.
Tags: pest control, pests that, will avoid, avoid those, avoid those plants