How to get rid of pests organically

The more we learn about synthetic pesticides, herbicides and insecticides, the more we learn how harmful they are to the environment and the people and animals that live in it. Pesticides may create more problems than they solve.

Spraying garden chemicals to get rid of insects and weeds not only poses a health hazard, but is often not even that effective. They will initially kill off a lot of pests, but over time these pests can develop resistance to the pesticides and come back even stronger. Another concern is the side effects that many synthetic pesticides can have on unintended targets (think DDT and birds).

The best plan is to avoid the need for pest control in the first place by starting with healthy, fertile soil, matching plants to soil type, ensuring proper sunlight levels and watering conditions, and using appropriate organic fertilizers and pruning when necessary. But if that doesn't work, there are many alternatives to chemical pesticides that can reduce pests while leaving a healthy environment for your plants, pets and family.

At BezTarakanov we offer a large selection of natural and organic pest control products that are guaranteed to be SAFE and effective. From beneficial insects to botanical sprays, we only carry the best. Also, visit our pest solution tool for images, descriptions, and a complete list of eco-friendly pest control products.

Barriers and repellents

Barriers and repellents help keep insects out of the garden. They can act as a wall to prevent crawling insects from accessing your home or vegetables. For example, if you plant carrots in toilet paper rolls, cutworms will not be able to reach them. Plants can also act as a living barrier to insects. Peppermint, spearmint and royal mint naturally repel aphids and ants, so plant them throughout your garden to keep these pests away.

Boiling cedar branches in water and then pouring (cooled) water over the plant will repel cutworms, corn worms and other pests. Snails won't cross the lime line, just as ants avoid cayenne pepper or iron phosphate—a natural, inorganic material widely used as a food additive—which repel slugs.

In addition to the many DIY pest treatments available, you can purchase organic pest control products that work on just about anything lurking around the garden or home.

Beneficial insects

Ladybugs, green lacewings and mantises are just a few of the beneficial insects that prey on unwanted garden pests. These "good" insects can be lured into a garden with attractive habitat (food, shelter and water) or they can be purchased and released into the garden - you will still need a healthy habitat for them to survive.

There are many reasons to add beneficial insects to your garden. They are safer and more effective than chemicals in the long run, but you will need to do some research first to determine what your specific pest problem is and what beneficial insects you should bring in to help. Luckily, the Internet provides many resources, as does your local extension service.

Biological pest control

Naturally occurring insect diseases caused by protozoa, bacteria, fungi and viruses, biological pest controls are effective against target insects but are non-toxic to humans, pets, wildlife and beneficial insects. They are also less likely to develop pest resistance than chemical pesticides and break down quickly in the environment.

Approved for organic gardening. Monterey BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) is a naturally occurring soil bacteria ideal for controlling cutworms, tent caterpillars, gypsy moths, tomato hornworms and other leaf-eating caterpillars. Will NOT harm people, pets, birds, bees or beneficial insects.

One of the most well-known biological pesticides is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which is often used against caterpillars that feed on leaves and needles. This bacterium occurs naturally in soils around the world and paralyzes the digestive tract of insects that eat it.

Spinosad is an insecticide derived from bacteria. Saccharopolyspora spinosa and can be used as an alternative to malathion sprays. Spinosad has been found to kill lungworts, but not the predators that eat them, and is approved for use on food crops. It also helps control thrips, caterpillars, budworms, fruit flies, borers and many more.

The third (of many) biological pest control product is milky spore powder, which targets the white larvae of Japanese beetles. When the larvae come to the surface of the lawn to feed (usually in July or August), they ingest bacteria. These milky spores germinate and multiply inside the larva, killing it.

House Pest Control

It's probably inside the home where most people worry about what pest control products they use. Choosing an organic method to get rid of fleas, cockroaches, mice and other creatures will help keep your family and pets healthy and safe.

Boric acid powder acts as a stomach poison for insects and can be used to control cockroaches, ants, termites and many other household pests. When these insects pass through, the boric acid sticks to their feet and is carried back to the colony. The fine powder is ingested as the insects groom each other. Boric acid is less toxic to humans and pets than table salt.

Tip: Make your own ant bait by mixing 2 tablespoons boric acid powder with 8 ounces boric acid powder. a jar of mint jelly. Place bait on small cardboard squares and place these "bait stations" in areas where pests are spotted.

Mice can be caught using either live or snap traps. It is best to install them along the edge of the wall (not in the middle of the room), where rodents can move around. If you choose a live or humane mouse trap, do not contact the mouse under any circumstances and keep it away from your home—not near someone else's!

To get rid of fleas, you need to treat the owner (cat or dog), house and yard. Here's how:

1. A citrus repellent can be made by boiling lemons and leaving them overnight. The next day, spray your pet.
2. For your home, sprinkle the carpet with regular table salt or boric acid (check for color fastness), leave overnight and vacuum the next day. Wash all pet bedding in hot water, adding eucalyptus oil to the final rinse.
3. In the yard, diatomaceous earth can be applied to any areas where pets rest or where fleas are suspected.

Kills insects FAST! Diatomaceous earth Safer® (also known as an ant and crawling insect killer) is made from the fossilized remains of tiny freshwater algae-like creatures called diatoms. The mild abrasive kills insects within 48 hours of contact...indoors or outdoors!

Traps and lures

Everyone is familiar with the usual mousetrap - the one with the big piece of cheese that is shown in cartoons. However, traps can be used to catch both insects and mammals.

Traps use visual lures, pheromones or food to attract pests and catch them without harming other insects, animals or the environment.

Traps can be used to monitor or control populations. When monitoring a population, insect traps can help determine when insects appear, how many there are, and other information important to deciding what to do about a particular pest.

Traps used for population control do just that - they catch insects or rodents and (usually) kill them. Sometimes traps on their own can solve your pest problem, other times they are better used in conjunction with another pest control tool. For example, fly traps are good at attracting and capturing adult mud flies, while fly parasites attack and kill immature fly pupae.

Natural pesticides

Natural insecticides are usually botanical in origin, meaning they are obtained from plants that have insecticidal properties. Compared to chemical pesticides, they are less toxic and break down much faster in the environment. However, they are still poisons, so you should only indulge in them as a last resort.

As mentioned above, you will need to do a little research before choosing an insecticide so you know exactly which one to choose. Apply all of these pesticides locally—don't spray the entire garden—to minimize their risk.

If you are trying to obtain or maintain organic certification, be sure to check the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) or the National Organic Program (NOP) for a list of materials approved for organic use in the United States. Without Cockroaches also maintains a list of organic products (all OMRI listed) offered on their website.

Soaps and oils

Insecticidal soaps and oils are most effective against soft sucking insects such as aphids, spider mites, whiteflies and mealybugs. Although they are less effective against many adult hard-shelled insects (such as beetles), they can be used to control their immature larval stages and eggs. As a result, application time is an important factor when using these natural insecticides.

The fatty acids in insecticidal soap (this is not the same as dish soap) penetrate the insect's outer covering and cause cell destruction, thereby killing the pests. It must be applied directly to the insect and will not be effective once it dries. Insecticidal soap is considered the least toxic pesticide and does not harm beneficial insects such as praying mantises and ladybugs.

100% organic. Safer® insecticidal soap Made from natural vegetable oils and animal fats. Penetrates the protective outer shell of soft-bodied pests and causes dehydration and death within hours.

Horticultural oil is a highly refined paraffin oil that, after being mixed with water, is sprayed onto plant foliage. It works by covering and suffocating insect pests and their eggs, and can be used throughout the year as both a dormant and growing season spray.

Derived from the oil extracted from the peel of citrus fruits, d-limonene is a relatively new organic insecticide that breaks down the waxy coating of the insect's respiratory system. Ideal for use in the kitchen and home, d-limonene can be used to control fleas, ants, and cockroaches. In a recent study, d-limonene (found in Orange Guard) was shown to reduce cockroach populations more effectively than Dursban, the toxic ingredient in Raid®.

Note: d-limonene is FDA approved as a dietary supplement and is found in products such as fruit cakes, cleaning products, air fresheners, and pet shampoos.

Fungitsidы

Plant diseases can often be avoided by ensuring good soil drainage and adequate air movement. But when that doesn't work and your plants start to show signs of rust, mold, spots, wilt, scabs and rotten tissue, it's time to apply a fungicide.

Tip: Visit our Plant Diseases page to learn about some of the most common fungal diseases that affect vegetables, flowers, trees and lawns. Full of information, we provide photographs and descriptions, as well as a complete list of environmentally friendly pest control products.

Sulfur and copper are two broad-spectrum organic fungicides with low toxicity to animals, including humans. However, you still need to exercise caution and read the instructions before using them. It is also important to respect temperature restrictions.

Copper fungicide can be used on vegetables, roses, fruits and lawns. For best results, it should be applied before the disease becomes noticeable or when it is first noticed on the plant. Liquid Copper Fungicide is effective against peach leaf curl, powdery mildew, black spot, rust, anthracnose, bacterial leaf spot and is approved for organic gardening. Spray all parts of the plant thoroughly and repeat every 7-10 days.

Sulfur fungicide is a finely divided, wettable powder that can be used on fruits, vegetables and flowers. The extremely fine particle size provides better coverage and adhesion to fruit and leaf surfaces, resulting in greater efficiency. Sulfur plant fungicide is effective against powdery mildew, rust, scab, brown rot and more. Do NOT Apply during periods of high temperature or within two weeks of spraying the oil as burns may occur.

A new broad-spectrum biofungicide approved for use in organic production is known as Garden Disease Serenade. Contains strain Hay stick, it provides protection against many of the most common fungal and bacterial diseases, including bacterial leaf spot, gray mold, late blight, fire blight, late blight, powdery mildew and scab. For best results, treatment should be carried out before the disease develops or at the first sign of infection. Repeat at 7-day intervals or as needed.