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Going organic is the new trend in gardening… and in pest control. With environmental consciousness becoming increasingly apparent, we need to find solutions for pesky critters, weeds, and bugs that are both natural and safe. The good news is: a lot of home-made recipes are already making their way to most gardeners’ to-do lists and safe and organic commercial garden pest control products are already becoming more increasingly available.
Of the staggering number of natural pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides available in your local gardening store, the brand is never the issue. What you need to look at and study are the ingredients listed on the garden pest control products available and look for the following: pyrethrin, d-Limonine, neem oil, sulfur, sodium bicarbonate, tea tree oil, and potassium bicarbonate.
An extract of chrysanthemum, pyrethrin is a chemical used in garden pest control products because of its low toxicity to animals, its high decomposing rate and its ability to quickly poison pests. It is generally in powder form but is now commonly found in insect sprays mixed with insecticidal soap. It is used mostly on spot treating as it can harm other insects in the garden. d-Limonine is another ingredient of garden pest control products that is derived from orange peel oil. This citrus oil extract is effective for roaches, ants, locusts, fleas, and weevils. When combined with castor oil, it can control weeds such as crab grass and broadleaf. The toxicity of this chemical is extremely low, making it completely harmless to water, other animals, and humans. Neem oil is another wonder in garden pest control products that is commonly used as a natural spray on plants. It works by targeting the hormonal system of pests, therefore preventing them from developing. Though it can easily be washed away with rain, it has been proven to not harm friendly insects like honeybees and ladybugs and to be effective against aphids, mealy bugs, black spot, and fungus. This is one of the few garden pest control products that can be used until the day of harvest.
Sulfur is used for scab, powdery mildew, thrips, and black spot in ornamentals, some crops, and foliage plants. This ingredient in garden pest control products is less toxic than other fungicides and comes already mixed with other products for immediate use. It is applied on the first signs of infestation as a preventive measure. Sodium Bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is already a proven ingredient in garden pest control products. It mainly aids in controlling fungi like mildew and is generally combined with water and vegetable oil to make a more effective pest spray. Tea tree oil, on the other hand, is effective in combating fungi on leaves and in keeping away harmful insects. This is commonly seen in garden pest control products that are meant for slugs, aphids, grasshoppers, and snails. Potassium bicarbonate is the savior of roses and other flowering plants. This chemical is mixed on sprays and applied as a preventive measure for powdery mildew.
Garden pest control products don’t have to lead to further problems for the environment. Commercially available pesticides and herbicides that are deemed organic and safe yet effective are already available for everybody’s use. Surely, when there is an option to go green, the least one can do is make the effort.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about pest and disease and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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