How to Control Pests
Organically
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Take small steps early to
prevent big pest problems
later in your organic
garden. Know what to use
against common invaders, and
when to let go of a sick
plant.
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Steps: |
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1. |
Walk through your garden
every day and keep a
watchful eye out for pests.
Ants crawling up stems,
leaves sporting blackened
spots, and plants wilting
frequently can tell you that
insects or fungal diseases
have arrived. |
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2. |
Put insect traps and
monitors such as yellow
sticky bars in the garden
and check them weekly. Grow
vulnerable vegetables under
floating row covers and keep
a garden calendar to note
seasonal and repeat
problems. |
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3. |
Observe any damage to plants
on your garden walk, then
look to see what's causing
it. Turn leaves over to see
webs underneath and scratch
in the soil for
caterpillars. |
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4. |
Control the first pests you
see by hand: Stomp or squish
bugs, and pluck sickly
leaves off the plant.
Squeamish? You can pluck and
drown insects in a jar of
bleach. |
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5. |
Use only organic pest
controls for bigger or
chronic problems. Become
familiar with organic
pesticides: insecticidal
soap, oil sprays, pyrethrins,
rotenone, and garlic or red
pepper sprays. |
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6. |
Spray or dust only the
affected plants and repeat
as directed on the label or
recipe (when mixing your
own). Spray or dust only
when bees aren't working.
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7. |
Use parasitic insects to
combat your garden's pests
whenever possible - look for
mixtures of Bacillus that
infest common caterpillars.
Encourage beneficial insects
by planting a diversity of
flowers and herbs that
attract them. |
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8. |
Stop trying to control the
pests when the cure
overwhelms your time or the
plant's worthiness for your
garden. Change your
expectations and live with
some damage, or take out the
sick plants and grow
something else. |
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Tips: |
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Learn about companion
planting to deter pests.
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Practice garden cleanliness
to prevent pests - clean up
and compost all debris.
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Avoid spraying or dusting a
wilted plant. |
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Warnings:
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Even organic pesticides are
toxic substances. Wear
protective clothing when
spraying or dusting.
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